Repository logo
 

Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/9

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Determination of the most appropriate bus rapid transit system for the eThekwini Municipal Area
    (2014) Adewumi, Emmanuel Olusegun; Allopi, Dhiren
    Invariably, a high percentage of the population of South Africa depends on public transport. In order to continue to satisfy commuters in terms of comfort, travel time, reliability of service and traffic congestion, there is a need to improve the efficiency of moving passengers to reduce travel time, delay time and number of stops. In the quest for advancement and improvement in public transport, many countries now embark on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems based on the successful implementation of the system by cities like Curitiba (Brazil) and Bogota (Columbia). Government departments/transport authorities are often faced with the challenge of selecting the most suitable BRT system relative to the unique features of its transport demands and urban layout. Hence, this study proposes the determination of the most appropriate BRT system for the eThekwini Municipal Area (EMA). An in-depth literature review was conducted in order to determine the most adoptable BRT system amongst median, kerb side and segregated BRT systems, taking into consideration cost implications, safety of the passengers, pedestrian crossing, physically challenged commuters, vehicle option and manoeuvres. Physical assessment and critical review of the current operating BRT systems in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth in South Africa was employed in this study as well as a critical comparison among these systems. The pros and cons of the three functional BRT systems in South Africa were stated and a way forward for EMA was recommended. Lastly, an assessment of the proposed BRT system in EMA was conducted on the existing Phase 1 and the remaining three phases. The review conducted was based on route inspection, access to property, factors considered in the selection of a BRT system, demand analyses of the routes and the evaluation of Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth BRT systems. Guidelines were also provided for the remaining proposed BRT routes which could be adopted by the eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) in order to enhance a better performance in EMA over the three functional BRT systems in South Africa using the aforementioned criteria.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An appropriate Bus Rapid Transit System
    (IJST Publications, 2014-04) Adewumi, Emmanuel Olusegun; Allopi, Dhiren
    Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) has been adopted as an improvement on regular bus services through the combination of features like infrastructure changes that resulted in better operation speeds and service reliability. In this regards, it does pose a problem in selecting a BRT that is most suitable for a particular area/region. Hence, this study suggests an appropriate BRT system during in-depth literature review. To be able to select the appropriate vehicle option for a BRT system for a particular area/corridor, the transport demand, coverage/distance to be covered and length of public transport delay due to general traffic condition must be put into proper consideration. In terms of cost implication, median BRT system and kerbside BRT system should be selected over segregated BRT system.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Determining the best BRT for eThekwini
    (3S Media, 2014-06) Adewumi, Emmanuel Olusegun; Allopi, Dhiren
    BRT systems are fast becoming part of the South African urban landscape. In the first part of this two-part article, the authors set about defining BRT systems, looking at their history and examining configurations, factors and options.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Study of drivers’ response time in traffic streams
    (IJESIT, 2013-05) Adewumi, Emmanuel Olusegun; Allopi, Dhiren
    Reaction times of drivers responding to traffic wardens'. signals are important for the design and safe operations of roads. The increased number of road users and pedestrians lead to increasing demands on the facilities and eventual inconvenience and delays. This study evaluated the response time of drivers on the minor leg of Challenge Intersection in Ilorin because of the significance of the minor traffic stream on the capacity analysis or design of traffic merging at the major leg. The method employed was basically manual whereby stopwatches were used to measure the response time of drivers who were unaware of being monitored The response time of each driver in a traffic stream queue was taken in relation to respective positions in the queue. The average response time for the first and consecutive vehicles in stop and move signal are shown in tables 1.0 and 1.1 respectively. It can be deduced that those far behind do not have to see the warden signals before they respond because the brake light of the preceding vehicle will dictate the signal
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Rea Vaya : South Africa’s first bus rapid transit system
    (ASSAf, 2013) Adewumi, Emmanuel Olusegun; Allopi, Dhiren
    Today, both the public and private transport sectors are facing challenges as a result of an increase in vehicle ownership and the suburbanisation of both firms and residences in the world. In the past, public transport was focused mainly on central areas of cities where high population and employment densities enabled frequent services, high occupancy rates and many routes. As growth is spreading to suburban areas from the metropolitan area, imperative challenges arise for public transport: to increase service in order to better serve commuters and to integrate suburban service with metropolitan service. 1 Public transport must be made more attractive and user friendly in relation to improved service, travel information, reliability, safety and the upgrade of infrastructure such as waiting stations. Cost is an important factor that influences the demand for public transport in relation to the time spent waiting, boarding and alighting from vehicles coupled with the risks and inconveniences involved in those actions. It has also been suggested that commuters and business users board the fastest and most direct routes. 2 Here we comment on the performance and maintenance of the Rea Vaya system – South Africa’s first bus rapid transit system – since its inception