Optimizing Urban Mobility Exploring the Gap between Travel Demand and Existing Public Transportation Network the Case of Bishoftu
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Date
2026-03-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Ethiopia’s rapid urbanization has created a challenge in public transport systems of secondary cities like Bishoftu, which rely heavily on informal paratransit transport modes. This paper investigates, the mismatch between travel demand and current public transport network in Bishoftu amid growing population and physical expansion of its boundary. Using a multi criteria approach, the paper applied a Four Stage transport demand model on a block level TAZs (Traffic Analysis Zones) to analyze trip generation, distribution and optimal route assignment. Data were drawn from surveys of PT routes, road conditions and, and secondary sources including GIS data, Bishoftu Transport Authority records, and the 2019 Structure Plan Revision documents. The analysis, evaluated through four key performance indicators—accessibility, route directness, route diversity, and infrastructure condition—reveals significant gaps in service provision. Findings indicate low level of public transport accessibility with 18.6% of Bishoftu urban blocks not having access to public transport routes within a walking distance of 500m. Six, three-wheeler routes out of thirty-eight studied are found to have mobility index value higher than 1.4, indicating inefficient route assignments that should be optimized. Infrastructure limitations further constrain service, as minibuses are restricted to asphalt roads, while three-wheelers dominate on lower quality surfaces. This study concludes that Bishoftu’s current paratransit network is inadequately aligned with its mobility demand and street layout. It recommends route optimization, infrastructure upgrades, and the introduction of ring-road connections to improve accessibility and efficiency. The methodology and indicators developed are transferable for analyzing and optimizing public transport in similar Ethiopian secondary cities, contributing to the broader goal of achieving sustainable, compact urban centers by improving mobility planning. Future research should incorporate real-time travel data and explore the integration of formal mass transit systems.
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Keywords
Public transport, Network analysis, Accessibility, Paratransit, Bishoftu