ارزیابی تطبیقی عملکرد خطوط ویژه اتوبوسرانی از نگاه مسافرین، مطالعه موردی محور نمازی- زند شهر شیراز

Extended Abstract

Bus system is one of the urban public transport systems that is important because of its’ lower cost of establishment, and higher capacity to the mass movement of travelers. Shiraz Public bus network has been evolved basing on incremental demand in order to answering the requirements of physical growth and population increase within recent decades. However, due to several reasons, it has a minor share (only 20 percent) in moving people. Exclusive busways has recently been launched in which the priority of movement is devoted to buses. It is expected the busways reduce the average travel time by bus, decrease waiting time, reduce traffic volume of adjacent arterials, improve the continuity of movement path, and increase safety. In this paper, a comparative evaluation of the performance of the exclusive busway is intended. For this purpose, Namazi to Zandbuswayas the sample is selected.The research is set with passengers who used the 84 buses moved on five bus lines along this busway. The travelers’ sample questionnaire was then investigated with data analysis such as descriptive statistics and mean comparative tests (Mann-Whitney U).The results showed that most of the passengers had high satisfaction with the waiting time and travel time. The results of comparative analysis indicated that there were significant differences on these two criteria between exclusive busways and other bus routes. Based on the research findings, practical suggestions for relevantbodies are presented.


1- Introduction
Bus system is one of the urban public transport systems which is preferred because of its’ lower cost of establishment, and higher capacity to the mass movement of travelers. Shiraz Public bus network has been evolved basing on incremental demand in order to answering the requirements of physical growth and population increase within recent decades. However, due to several reasons, it has a minor share (only 20 percent) in moving people. Five exclusive busways has recently been launched in which the priority of movement is devoted to buses. It is expected the busways reduce the average travel time by bus, decrease waiting time, reduce traffic volume of adjacent arterials, improve the continuity of movement path, and increase safety. In this paper, a comparative evaluation of the performance of the exclusive busway is intended. For this purpose, Namazi to Zandbusway is studiedas the sample.

2- Methodology
This research used a descriptive-analytical approach. Since there was no primary data on Shiraz bus system’s performance available, the main source of information for this research was field questionnaire survey data.The busway performance evaluation questionnaire was completed through field survey among passengers. Then, statistical analysis e.g. Mann-Whitney Uwas carried out using SPSS and Excel, and GIS was used for mapping and spatial analysis.

3- Discussion
According to the findings, the most frequent advantage of the case studied exclusivebusway was reducing travel time, decreasing waiting time, and better quality of indoor space. These all lead to increasing passengers’ satisfaction level. A part of this positive attitude appeared due to renovation of Shiraz bus fleet within recent years especially among the lines with higher potential demand. In addition, the relative passenger satisfaction from terminals, bus routes, drivers’ behavior and stations’ conditions were reported higher than those of other routes.

4- Conclusion
In general, there is a relative satisfaction with the performance of a particular line.The results showed statistically significant difference between the waiting time and travel time to the bus station between the exclusive busways and other conventional bus routes (shared with cars). Also the anomalous behavior of the drivers of the exclusive busways,was evaluated lower than that of the other lines.Of course, still there are some limitations for the exclusive busways discouraging higher demand.For instance, passengers had to have access to bus stops across the streetwhich is uncomfortable and unsafe. Therefore, it is necessary to establish special tracks and providing secure access to central median and nearby bus stops.
Keywords: Public Bus, Exclusive Busway, Evaluation, Comparative Analysis, Shiraz.