Publication: Inclusion of bus stop accessibility for transport assessment: case study of Penang Island
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Date
2022-04-01
Authors
Muhammad Fisal, Siti Fadhlina
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Abstract
The endless traffic congestion in Malaysia is contributed by the hike of private vehicles where Malaysians are highly dependent on private vehicles. Numerous studies on deterrent factors affecting the willingness to walk, cycling and public bus ride had been conducted as well as various alternatives had been implemented by the government. However, the number of private vehicles keep on rising and the practice on active modes is deteriorating. Contradict with developed countries, active modes are actively being practiced although private vehicles increase. Hence, this study attempts to investigate the indicators of current practicing Transport Assessment (TA) in developed countries. Based on the literature reviews, it is found that TIA practiced in Malaysia is different in terms of scope than the TIA or TA practiced in developed countries including Singapore. Therefore, TA indicators were studied and adapted with Malaysia’s local guidelines by developing a TA checklist. 123 bus stops within the furthest walking distance (800-meter) from the proposed Bayan Lepas Light Rail Transit (BLLRT) were selected to be audited using the TA checklist. The bus stops were evaluated based on the listed TA indicators within 100-meter radius which is the most favourable walking distance. In this study, population density and built-area within 100-meter radius from each of the 123 bus stops were evaluated as well. Overall, this study investigated five main elements mentioned in TA which are walkability, cycling, public bus accessibility, population density and built area and their significance towards the number of private vehicles. The number of private vehicles at the evaluated bus stops were counted during morning and evening peak hours. All variables were evaluated using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Path analysis revealed that TA indicators in terms of walking infrastructure and population density were negatively significant towards the number of private vehicles at the bus stops. The findings of the study had listed the significant indicators that can be considered as the requirements in Malaysia’s TIA guidelines. This study also proposed the developed TA checklist for future bus stop performance’s evaluation.