Active mobility device parking characteristics at MRT stations

• Main Author: Ng, Yi Shien
• Other Authors: Wong Yiik Diew
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2019
• Subjects: Engineering::Civil engineering::Transportation
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/136566
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

With a growing population, scarce land with limited road expansion capacity, and increasing public expectations for convenience in travel, active mobility devices (AMDs – personally-owned and shared bicycles as well as personal mobility devices like electric scooters and skateboards) are playing an important role in Singapore’s efforts to work towards a “car-lite” nation. Shared bicycles grew in popularity in 2017 and reached the peak of 100,000 shared bicycles in early 2018. However, as infrastructure and regulations for shared bicycle parking were not well-established, indiscriminate parking became a big problem. This project details the evolution of shared bicycles in Singapore, including the implementation of various government regulations, like licensing and geofencing, to tackle the indiscriminate AMD parking issue. In this project, three Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations – Boon Lay, Lakeside and Chinese Garden – were selected to investigate AMD parking characteristics. Parking capacity of designated spaces at these MRT stations was assessed, and AMDs were counted to determine the utilisation rate of the available spaces. In addition, two perception surveys were conducted to understand AMD users’ attitudes regarding parking of their AMDs and the implementation of government regulations. The results of this project indicate that indiscriminate parking is mainly due to insufficient parking infrastructure, deadstock of unused AMDs occupying parking spaces, users parking wherever convenient, lack of awareness on the use of yellow boxes, lack of clear government regulations, and the bird excrement issue. A framework to prevent indiscriminate AMD parking in Singapore was proposed to: (1) improve the AMD parking infrastructure; (2) update the AMD parking guidelines; (3) engage the public through education; (4) implement enforcement actions to tackle indiscriminate AMD parking; and (5) create a culture of social graciousness and responsible AMD parking. This project is of interest for professionals focusing on policymaking and planning of AMD infrastructure. In the long term, the proposed framework can be implemented nationwide to increase the usage of AMDs, and be of relevance to other countries facing AMD parking issues. In addition, the project findings contribute to the transport literature where knowledge about parking of AMDs is sparse.