Date of Award

1-2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)

Department

Civil Engineering

First Advisor

Peter G. Furth, P h . D

Second Advisor

Dr. Kamran Ahmed

Third Advisor

Ya er E. Hawa , Ph . D.

Abstract

This study develops a methodology to consolidate transit stops. It develops a mathematical model and a program which takes stop consolidation decision(s) according to users travel time savings and desired accessibility. The model iterates until the users travels time savings are maximized. The study tests this mathematical model in different hypothetical scenarios. Six factors (distance between stops, passengers’ activity, average cruising speed, and maximum walkable distance, frequency of service and percentage of decreased passengers) with multiple levels were set to build the scenarios. Three responses (percentage of consolidated stops, percentage of travel time savings and percentage of operating time savings) were observed. The findings showed that the distance between the stops and the maximum walkable distance are the most influential factors. The passengers’ activity and the percentages of decreased passengers are also found to be influential. The average cruising speed and the frequency of service has very little influence on the response variables. The study also shows how the interactions of the factors influence on the response variables. The study also shows how interactions of the factors influence the consolidation decision. Finally the model is tested on two routes (route 900 and 930) of Al Ain City public bus service. It shows that 30 and 36 stops out of 98 and 126 stops can be consolidated in route 900 and 930 respectively. This can save a considerable amount of users travel time and operating time. In monetary value, the saving is about 865,000 US$ and 1,100,000 US$ per year for route 900 and 930 respectively.

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