Development of a multimodal integration index for measuring passenger needs and performance of intermodal interchanges

Abstract

Transportation is a basic need of modern society. In South Africa, more than half of the population are currently dependent on public transport and regularly commute long distances to and from places of employment, education and recreation. There is a shortage of research on passenger needs and experiences that could help to improve public transport interchange facilities in South Africa. The objective of this research study is to develop a multimodal integration index to measure the level of integration at existing public transport interchange facilities from a passenger’s perspective. Criteria of importance to users, as identified from other studies, formed the starting point for further investigation via qualitative assessment through focus groups. A quantitative survey was administered to 374 participants selected by random stratified sampling which ensured a comprehensive needs assessment for men, women, elderly users and scholars across mini-bus taxi, bus and rail modes. Respondents, who are regular users of the Isipingo, Pinetown and Bridge City facilities located along the planned eThekwini Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network, rated their overall satisfaction with these facilities on a 5-point Likert scale. They also identified and rated the importance of the following criteria: comfort and convenience, universal access, personal security, road traffic safety, provision of information, integrated ticketing, provision of amenities and waiting time. A statistical comparison of importance ratings across users from different age and gender groups using t-tests and ANOVA revealed that personal security, short walking distances and the provision of ATMs or banks are more important to women than to men. Short walking distances, the provision of ramps or lifts, handrails, tactile surfaces and lowered kerbs are more important to elderly users than to scholars. Lighting, CCTV cameras, directional signage, paying with one travel card, and fast food availability at facilities are more important to elderly users than to those in the 18-55-year-old age group. Thus, it can be concluded that users of different genders and different age groups have different requirements in terms of the interchange facilities, which further emphasises the need to gain a better understanding of the requirements of all user types. The index is a single value that captures information from these criteria into one composite measure to provide an indication of the level at which facilities are integrated and it also serves as a detailed assessment tool to identify and prioritise interchanges in need of upgrades. The index values for the surveyed sites are Isipingo 9.3, Pinetown 8.6, and Bridge City 8.3 out of a maximum of 33.0. These values fall within a range that indicates poor integration. The index values rank the three facilities in the same order as the satisfaction ratings by existing users. Taken together, these findings add valuable information about the perspective of South African transport users. The developed integration index can also serve as an assessment tool to ensure effective development and upgrading of transport facilities in South Africa.