A Study of Crowding on Light Rail Transit; A Case Study of Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit (AALRT)
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2019-07
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Crowding on rail vehicles impacts passenger travel experience and ridership growth, often
reflecting lack of adequate management in passenger travel on the part of the railway operator.
The Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit (AALRT) has experienced passenger crowding especially
during evening peak hour which results in poor passenger ridership quality. This research aims to
explore possible countermeasures to curb the crowding problem at the AALRT thus improving
passenger ridership quality levels. Analytical methods, observation surveys and questionnaires
have been used to analyze the magnitude of the crowding problem and the existing operational
gaps thus establishing the requisite countermeasures. The results show that by 2018, the E-W line
experienced crowding LoS D on station platforms and LoS F inside trains, with the main causes
being insufficient trains and inconsistent headways. This crowding translated to an estimated direct
economic loss during the evening peak period of 231.46 ETB per working day over the same
period. Commuters faced inconveniences such as enduring uncomfortable trips, occasional theft
and delays. The countermeasures recommended to curb crowding involve the integration of
engineering, non-engineering, policy and psychological interventions. Some of the proposed
countermeasures include review of future rolling stock seat arrangement, installation of at-grade
pedestrian crossings, implementation of controlled passenger boarding, setting up minimum time
to avail stand-by trains and installation of station passenger information systems. Successful
application of the measures would eventually reduce and maintain platform and on-train crowding
to LoS C and LoS E respectively. This would also reduce the frequency of occurrence of crowding
contributors thus mitigating future crowding on the AALRT E-W line. Consequently, better
passenger ridership quality would be ensured. African countries keen to develop light rail transit
(LRT) to decongest urban roads can benefit from the LRT if it solves crowding problems rather
than re-creating them. Therefore, this research is beneficial to developing countries as it examines
possible loopholes that would occur in LRT operations and the appropriate measures to curb the
crowding problem.
Description
Keywords
Crowding, Light rail transit, Ridership quality level, Peak hour