Study of circulation of traffic agents at the road-side bus-stops

• Main Author: Sim, Si Hui
• Other Authors: Wong Yiik Diew
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Engineering; Transportation
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/177260
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Singapore's Walk-Cycle-Ride initiatives have increased traffic density at bus-stops, raising safety concerns for bus commuters and pedestrians, particularly regarding heightened risks associated with cyclist behaviour in constricted spaces like the bus-stops. Thus, this study evaluates factors influencing cyclist behaviour and current bus-stop layouts’ effectiveness, including implemented safety features like blue dash lines, rumble strips, and "Slow" markings. Analysis of bus-stop width and traffic flow highlights significant factors impacting cyclist behaviour, suggesting potential safety enhancements. Data collection methods, including manual traffic agent counting, video observations of behaviours (including cyclist manoeuvres and path choices), and perception surveys were employed to assess safety perceptions, interactions among traffic agents and bus-stop attributes. The study found that factors such as pedestrians and bus commuters traffic flow, bus-stop width, and the effectiveness of safety features influence cyclist behaviour. Higher pedestrian and bus commuter traffic flow led to more frequent evasive manoeuvres by cyclists, while wider bypass bus-stop widths reduced such behaviour. Implemented safety features like rumble strips and “Slow” markings demonstrated slight effectiveness in reducing cyclist speed from an average of 3.52m/s (12.7kph) at comparison sites to 3.45m/s (12.4kph) at treatment sites, while the effectiveness of blue dash lines was also observed to be marginal. Data analysis from Saturdays, considered more reliable due to better traffic agent intensity compatibility compared to Wednesdays, revealed a substantial increase in cyclist bypass usage proportion from 32.6% at C1 to 54.2% in T1. Moreover, the pedestrians and bus commuters’ front area usage proportion increased from 73.3% in C1 to 85.4% in T1, which suggests limited effectiveness. Hence, the impact of blue dashed lines was deemed effective to a small extent. After data collation from perception surveys, it was revealed that gender and age significantly influence safety perceptions, with female respondents and older individuals perceiving lower bus-stop safety levels. These safety perception ratings were then integrated into a systematic framework that incorporates key variables, aiming to streamline the process of upgrading bus-stop layouts. In cases where a bus-stop is considered unsafe, the Bus Stop Evaluation Index employs a derived evaluation score based on the weighted average cyclist behaviour and safety ratings. This index facilitates the determination of whether immediate remedial measures are necessary or if the issue is less pressing, thereby permitting the implementation of future actions if the score exceeds the threshold. This process aids in prioritising bus-stops for design enhancements, ensuring resource efficiency and enhancing the overall safety and efficiency of the public transportation system. Clear signage can further guide traffic agents, reducing potential conflicts and supporting Singapore's goal of becoming a "car-lite" nation. These findings have significant implications for improving bus-stop designs, ultimately enhancing the safety of pedestrians and bus commuters at bus-stops.