Research

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24 pages, 8021 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impacts of Government Subsidies on Public Transportation Customer Complaints: A Case Study of Taichung City Bus Subsidy Policy

by Chia-Chun Yen, Weng Shih Kun Liu, Chuen-Lin Tien and Tian-Jong Hwu

Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3500; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su16083500 - 22 Apr 2024

Viewed by 331

Abstract

The government has implemented an operational subsidy program with the expectation that bus companies can provide better services to passengers. However, does the change in government subsidy policies affect the service levels of bus companies? This study analyzed passenger complaint data to objectively [...] Read more.

The government has implemented an operational subsidy program with the expectation that bus companies can provide better services to passengers. However, does the change in government subsidy policies affect the service levels of bus companies? This study analyzed passenger complaint data to objectively express the results of changes in bus subsidy policies. Taking Taichung City buses as an example, there was a change in transportation policies after a change in the municipal government. Under the old policy, Taichung City buses implemented a subsidy policy based on passengers (SPP), where the first eight kilometers of a route were subsidized. Later, the SPK subsidy policy, based on kilometers (SPK), extended the subsidy coverage by bus mileage to 10 km. This study collected bus passenger complaint data before and after the change in subsidy policies, within six months. A t-Test was conducted to verify if the average customer complaint types were consistent between the two policies. The results showed significant differences in six categories of customer complaints, which were then presented in GIS. Finally, we drew two main conclusions: (1) SPP policy, bus companies focus on operating in CBD; (2) SPK policy, bus companies focus on operating in suburban areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shared Space for Active Modes and Micromobility: Recent Trends, Methodologies and Policies)

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17 pages, 1812 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Influencing the Pedestrian Injury Severity of Micromobility Crashes

by Almudena Sanjurjo-de-No, Ana María Pérez-Zuriaga and Alfredo García

Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14348; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su151914348 - 28 Sep 2023

Viewed by 680

Abstract

The growth of micromobility transport in cities has created a new mobility paradigm, but this has also resulted in increased traffic conflicts and collisions. This research focuses on understanding the impacts of micromobility vehicles on pedestrian injury severity in urban areas of Spain [...] Read more.

The growth of micromobility transport in cities has created a new mobility paradigm, but this has also resulted in increased traffic conflicts and collisions. This research focuses on understanding the impacts of micromobility vehicles on pedestrian injury severity in urban areas of Spain between 2016 and 2021. The Random Forest classification model was used to identify the most significant factors and their combinations affecting pedestrian injury severity. To address the issue of unbalanced data, the synthetic minority oversampling technique was employed. The findings indicate that pedestrians’ age, specifically those 70 years or older, is the most important variable in determining injury severity. Additionally, collisions at junctions or on weekends are associated with worse outcomes for pedestrians. The results highlight the combined influence of multiple factors, including offenses and distractions by micromobility users and pedestrians. These factors are more prevalent among younger micromobility users and those riding for leisure or on weekends. To enhance micromobility road safety and reduce pedestrian injuries, separating micromobility traffic from pedestrian areas is recommended, restricting micromobility vehicle use on sidewalks, providing training and information to micromobility users, conducting road safety campaigns, increasing enforcement measures, and incorporating buffer zones in bike lanes near on-street parking. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shared Space for Active Modes and Micromobility: Recent Trends, Methodologies and Policies)

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17 pages, 1421 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Dockless Shared E-Scooters on Urban Mobility: WTP and Modal Shift

by Draženko Glavić, Marina Milenković, Aleksandar Trifunović, Igor Jokanović and Jelica Komarica

Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9570; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15129570 - 14 Jun 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1755

Abstract

Land use largely depends on the traffic policy of a city. The appearance of e-scooters can greatly affect the visual distribution of transportation, and thus the occupation of land, primarily in the central areas of cities. E-scooters as a shared micro-mobility service have [...] Read more.

Land use largely depends on the traffic policy of a city. The appearance of e-scooters can greatly affect the visual distribution of transportation, and thus the occupation of land, primarily in the central areas of cities. E-scooters as a shared micro-mobility service have become widespread worldwide since 2017. The advent of e-scooters has made changes in travel habits, especially in the central parts of big cities. However, many issues are focused on e-scooter shared mobility management policies. One of the important issues is the price of renting an e-scooter, on which the percentage of users who use e-scooters largely depend. In order to determine willingness to pay for e-scooter dockless shared mobility, a survey was conducted in the city of Belgrade (Serbia, Europe) on the willingness of participants to use this mode of transport for commuting and other travel purposes depending on the price of renting an e-scooter. The results showed that price plays an important role in the willingness of participants to use an e-scooter. The paper presents mathematical models, which include the cost of renting an e-scooter and the percentage of participants who would accept this type of transport. These mathematical models can help a decision maker to determine the pricing policy in order to maximize the profit from renting an e-scooter, as well as to influence modal shift in order to reduce car-dependent trips. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shared Space for Active Modes and Micromobility: Recent Trends, Methodologies and Policies)

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15 pages, 2005 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Shared Electric Scooter Users and Non-Users: Perceptions on Safety, Adoption and Risk

by Shiva Pourfalatoun, Jubaer Ahmed and Erika E. Miller

Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 9045; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15119045 - 03 Jun 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2487

Abstract

Shared electric scooters (e-scooters) offer a potential strategy to mitigate environmental concerns and congestion. However, successfully addressing these issues with e-scooters requires adoption across a diverse array of consumers. Understanding the differences between users and non-users can improve shared e-scooter appeal, operation and [...] Read more.

Shared electric scooters (e-scooters) offer a potential strategy to mitigate environmental concerns and congestion. However, successfully addressing these issues with e-scooters requires adoption across a diverse array of consumers. Understanding the differences between users and non-users can improve shared e-scooter appeal, operation and safety. The objective of this paper is to compare shared e-scooter users and non-users in terms of their perceptions on safety, trip behaviors, other shared modes, risk propensity and willingness to adopt technology. A survey was conducted involving 210 (51.3%) users and 199 (48.7%) non-users of shared e-scooters. Binary logistic regression and chi-squared tests were performed. The results reveal that users demonstrated a higher risk propensity and were more likely to be early adopters of new technologies. Non-users tended to place higher importance on helmet use, while users have an overall increased feeling of safety associated with riding e-scooters in vehicle lanes, on sidewalks and being passed by e-scooters as a pedestrian. Overall, users also have a more positive perception of e-scooter sanitary levels than non-users, and a more positive perception on the sanitary levels and usability of e-scooters over e-bicycles. These findings can provide guidance to urban planners, municipal authorities and micromobility providers in developing infrastructure and policies to better support micromobility adoption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shared Space for Active Modes and Micromobility: Recent Trends, Methodologies and Policies)

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23 pages, 3408 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Route Choice Model for the Investigation of Drivers’ Willingness to Choose a Flyover Motorway in Greece

by Ioannis Politis, Georgios Georgiadis, Aristomenis Kopsacheilis, Anastasia Nikolaidou, Chrysanthi Sfyri and Socrates Basbas

Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 4614; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15054614 - 04 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2131

Abstract

The constant evolution of many urban areas ultimately reaches a point where the current infrastructure cannot further serve the needs of citizens. In the case of transport networks, congested roads, increased delay, and low level of service are among the indicators of a [...] Read more.

The constant evolution of many urban areas ultimately reaches a point where the current infrastructure cannot further serve the needs of citizens. In the case of transport networks, congested roads, increased delay, and low level of service are among the indicators of a need for road infrastructure upgrade. Thessaloniki is the second-largest city in Greece with a population of over 1 million inhabitants in its metropolitan area. Currently, a significant share of the city’s traffic demand is served via its ring road, whose capacity is set to be enhanced through the construction of a flyover highway with the simultaneous upgrade of the existing ring road. The current study aims at investigating the key factors determining the final route choice of drivers between the two road axes. To that end, data from a combined revealed and stated preference survey targeting car drivers were collected, which were later exploited as the basis for the development of binary route choice regression and machine learning models. The results reveal that drivers’ choice is affected by criteria such as total travel time, the probability of accident occurrence, and closure time due to accident. The results of this paper could prove beneficial to transport researchers in forecasting drivers’ behavior in terms of route choice and to practitioners during the planning phase of similar infrastructure projects. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shared Space for Active Modes and Micromobility: Recent Trends, Methodologies and Policies)

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27 pages, 65954 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Associations between Environmental Exposure, Urban Environment Parameters and Meteorological Conditions, during Active Travel in Montevideo, Uruguay

by Mauro D’Angelo, Ignacio Franchi, Valentina Colistro, Ana Clara Vera, Alicia Aleman and Elizabeth González

Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 2999; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15042999 - 07 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1245

Abstract

Introduction: Active transport is encouraged by the Uruguayan authorities; however, the criteria for expanding the cycling routes are unclear. This article presents a research project aiming to examine statistically significant links between environmental exposure during active travel in Montevideo (Uruguay) and urban [...] Read more.

Introduction: Active transport is encouraged by the Uruguayan authorities; however, the criteria for expanding the cycling routes are unclear. This article presents a research project aiming to examine statistically significant links between environmental exposure during active travel in Montevideo (Uruguay) and urban environment parameters. Methods: Two monitoring routes were defined by working with cycling groups, and their urban environments were characterized. PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and NO₂ concentrations and doses, and noise exposure doses, were measured. Simultaneously, meteorological parameters were recorded. The minimum required sample size was defined based on a statistical procedure: 30 samples were needed. Results: 31 environmental exposure measurements were performed on each route. The monitoring showed high temporal and spatial variability of the environmental parameters. The PM and NO₂ hot spots were not the same. Moreover, while Route N°1 presented higher PM₁₀ and NO₂ potential inhaled doses and higher NO₂ concentrations, the noise exposure doses were higher in Route N°2, with more traffic flow and a lower street aspect ratio. Discussion and conclusions: To our best knowledge, this is the first study of this kind in Montevideo. The results were statistically analyzed and discussed regarding the routes’ characteristics. However, the prevailing weather conditions had a strong influence on them. The latter implies a challenge to define public spaces’ design parameters, in order to achieve a more sustainable city. This study accomplishes a first approach for posing recommendations in this direction for Montevideo and a contribution for further research in the matter. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shared Space for Active Modes and Micromobility: Recent Trends, Methodologies and Policies)

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15 pages, 1345 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

An Approach to Model the Willingness to Use of E-Scooter Sharing Services in Different Urban Road Environments

by Theodora Sorkou, Panagiotis G. Tzouras, Katerina Koliou, Lambros Mitropoulos, Christos Karolemeas and Konstantinos Kepaptsoglou

Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 15680; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su142315680 - 25 Nov 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2402

Abstract

E-scooter sharing services been grown exponentially within the last five years. They are based on the flexibility of accessing dense urban areas without specialized infrastructure. In modern cities, there are diverse road environments that impact the comfort, and therefore the attractiveness, of micro-mobility [...] Read more.

E-scooter sharing services been grown exponentially within the last five years. They are based on the flexibility of accessing dense urban areas without specialized infrastructure. In modern cities, there are diverse road environments that impact the comfort, and therefore the attractiveness, of micro-mobility services. This study aims to investigate the willingness to use e-scooter sharing services, while considering the road environment. To formulate area-specific pricing policies, a stated preferences experiment with 243 respondents, who can be considered as potential users, is conducted in Athens, Greece and a binary logistic regression model with random beta parameters is developed. The analysis of the model marginal effects indicates that the integration of bonus points into micro-mobility services, combined with the option of transferring these points to parking services, can compensate a non-friendly road environment, thus increasing the service demand. The existence of roads with good pavement conditions and wide sidewalks significantly increased the willingness of respondents to use e-scooter sharing services. Unexpectedly, pedestrianized zones in a buffer area of 2 km radius from the trip origin reinforce the attractiveness of shared e-scooters, while the contribution of bike lanes and traffic calming streets (or shared space) were proven to be insignificant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shared Space for Active Modes and Micromobility: Recent Trends, Methodologies and Policies)

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Review

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20 pages, 3617 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Safe Infrastructure for Micromobility: The Current State of Knowledge

by Morteza Hossein Sabbaghian, David Llopis-Castelló and Alfredo García

Sustainability 2023, 15(13), 10140; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su151310140 - 26 Jun 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2127

Abstract

Major cities in Europe have seen a significant increase in micromobility infrastructure, including cycling infrastructure, with 42 European Metropolitan cities implementing 1421.54 km of cycling infrastructure in a year. However, the design principles for bikeways primarily rely on conventional road design for bicycles [...] Read more.

Major cities in Europe have seen a significant increase in micromobility infrastructure, including cycling infrastructure, with 42 European Metropolitan cities implementing 1421.54 km of cycling infrastructure in a year. However, the design principles for bikeways primarily rely on conventional road design for bicycles and lack consistency in accommodating emerging powered micromobility devices like e-scooters. To address this research gap, this paper conducts a systematic review and scientometric analysis to explore safe bikeway infrastructure design. It identifies three overlooked topics (marking and signing, grading, and mode choice) and nine understudied areas (vibration, distress, skidding, alignment features, clearance, lateral control, connectivity, traffic composition, and intersection presence) that significantly impact micromobility safety. The study’s comprehensive understanding and use of scientometric tools reveal patterns and relationships within the literature. It also highlights criteria influencing micromobility safety and the need for research on pavement and user behavior. The findings contribute to evidence-based decision-making for practitioners and researchers, emphasizing the importance of tailored infrastructure design to enhance micromobility safety and achieve cost-effective improvements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shared Space for Active Modes and Micromobility: Recent Trends, Methodologies and Policies)

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