Knowledge and practice of drivers on the provision of service to persons with visual disability: A survey of public transport drivers in a tertiary inclusion school in West Africa

Public transport plays an important role in improving mobility for persons with visual impairment. Commercial drivers are major stakeholders in ensuring that there are efficient and accessible public transport systems on university campuses that have a relatively high number of persons with visual impairment. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 90 taxi drivers who operate their services on the campus of a tertiary inclusion school. The drivers were surveyed on their knowledge and practices in providing services to persons with visual impairment. The findings show that 55 (61.1%) drivers knew how to identify a pedestrian with a visual disability by looking out for the white cane. A total of 77 (85.6%) drivers have also adopted the practice of stopping for pedestrians to cross the road. However, only 20 (22.5%) respondents agreed to reserve the front seat for the passenger with visual impairment. Participants were not knowledgeable on the sections of the disability act relating to the provision of transport services to persons with visual impairment nor the kind of punishment associated with breaching the rules. The study provides recommendations on how to bridge the gap between the demands of the disability act and the practices of commercial drivers.

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How do passenger and trip attributes affect walking distances to bus public transport stops? Evidence from university students in Greece

Spatium ◽

10.2298/spat2044012t ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 12-21

Author(s):

Christos Tsioulianos ◽

Socrates Basbas ◽

Georgios Georgiadis

Keyword(s):

Public Transport ◽

Spatial Arrangement ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Transport Systems ◽

University Campuses ◽

Spatial Design ◽

Transport Services ◽

User Expectations ◽

Bus Stops ◽

Inference Methods

The spatial arrangement of public transport systems seriously affects their ridership and thus the fulfillment of sustainable transport goals. This paper examines the case of students at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and investigates their perceptions regarding a critical spatial attribute of public transport, that is, the walking distance they have to cover to/from bus stops when they commute by bus to their campus. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect relevant data from 300 students and a set of statistical inference methods was employed to explore whether student-specific attributes relate to the walking distances they consider to be acceptable. Empirical findings highlighted weak relationships between user/trip specific attributes with regard to students, and their walking distance preferences for the bus public transport services they use. The majority of students consider that the maximum acceptable walking distance can be higher than the standard value of 400 meters. Moreover, they would be willing to walk more than they currently do in order to reach a bus stop with higher service frequencies to their campus. The study concept and findings could assist in delivering a more successful spatial design of bus public transport systems which serve university campuses. A more sparsely positioned network of bus stops would provide better opportunities for personal physical activity but should not yield increased total travel times; and they should incorporate local user expectations. Public transport agencies could also benefit from achieving higher service speeds which, in turn, would reduce energy consumption and operating costs.

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A GIS-Based Methodology for Evaluating the Increase in Multimodal Transport between Bicycle and Rail Transport Systems. A Case Study in Palermo

ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information ◽

10.3390/ijgi10050321 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 321

Author(s):

Alessandro Emilio Capodici ◽

Gabriele D’Orso ◽

Marco Migliore

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

Public Transport ◽

Choice Model ◽

Rail Transport ◽

Transport Systems ◽

Sustainable Mobility ◽

Transit System ◽

Modal Choice ◽

Transport Services ◽

Multimodal Transport

Background: In a world where every municipality is pursuing the goals of more sustainable mobility, bicycles play a fundamental role in getting rid of private cars and travelling by an eco-friendly mode of transport. Additionally, private and shared bikes can be used as a feeder transit system, solving the problem of the first- and last-mile trips. Thanks to GIS (Geographic Information System) software, it is possible to evaluate the effectiveness of such a sustainable means of transport in future users’ modal choice. Methods: Running an accessibility analysis of cycling and rail transport services, the potential mobility demand attracted by these services and the possible multimodality between bicycle and rail transport systems can be assessed. Moreover, thanks to a modal choice model calibrated for high school students, it could be verified if students will be really motivated to adopt this solution for their home-to-school trips. Results: The GIS-based analysis showed that almost half of the active population in the study area might potentially abandon the use of their private car in favour of a bike and its combination with public transport systems; furthermore, the percentage of the students of one high school of Palermo, the Einstein High School, sharply increases from 1.5% up to 10.1%, thanks also to the combination with the rail transport service. Conclusions: The GIS-based methodology shows that multimodal transport can be an effective way to pursue a more sustainable mobility in cities and efficiently connect suburbs with low-frequent public transport services to the main public transport nodes.

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A Novel Model for Determining Public Service Compensation in Integrated Public Transport Systems

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su10092969 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 2969 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Gordan Stojić ◽

Dušan Mladenović ◽

Olegas Prentkovskis ◽

Slavko Vesković

Keyword(s):

Public Service ◽

Public Transport ◽

Free Market ◽

Transport Systems ◽

Passenger Transport ◽

Market Conditions ◽

The Public ◽

Transport Services ◽

Optimal Approach ◽

Novel Model

In free market conditions, if public passenger transport services are commercially unprofitable, there will be no interest for transport companies to perform them. However, directly because of the citizens’ interests, on the one hand, and indirectly because of the economy, passenger public transport services have become of a general public interest. The authorities must prepare appropriate legal fair market conditions, based on which public transport will be subsidized and conducted. In order to achieve that, for the mutual benefit of the public, users and transport companies, it is necessary that the right Public Service Obligation Model (PSO model or in some literature PCS—Public Service Compensation) be defined. Within this study, the optimal approach to assigning a PSC contract to transport companies for performing the PSO in integrated and regular public passenger transport systems is determined. A novel model, presented in this paper, can help national, regional and local authorities to choose and determine the way and level of PSCs for conducting the public transport of passengers and establishing a sustainable public passenger transport system.

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BRIDGING TOURIST ATTRACTIONS. THE ROLE OF WATERBUSES IN URBAN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT: THE CASE OF THE COASTAL CITY OF GDAŃSK (POLAND)

GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites ◽

10.30892/gtg.34116-627 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 126-131

Author(s):

Maciej TARKOWSKI ◽

◽

Marcin POŁOM ◽

Krystian PUZDRAKIEWICZ ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Transport ◽

Spatial Development ◽

Transport Systems ◽

Tourist Attractions ◽

Public Transport System ◽

Coastal City ◽

Transport Services ◽

International Importance ◽

Tourist Center

Identification of the role of the waterbus system in the development of tourism in a large coastal city – a tourist center of international importance. Cartographic materials, qualitative and quantitative data on the waterbus system, spatial development and tourist traffic were used. Quantitative temporal and spatial analyses were conducted, including GIS analyses. Service of the tourist traffic is the dominant function of the waterbus in Gdańsk. This is determined by three categories of factors: (i) the seasonal nature of the system and a low level of integration with the public transport system; (ii) low potential demand for transport services due to the fact that most of the stops are far away from large residential or work centers; (iii) proximity of most of the city’s main tourist attractions to the stops. The obtained results are helpful in programming the development of public transport systems, especially in large tourist coastal cities. The conditions of spatial development are of key importance for shaping the dominant function of the waterbus.

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The Effects of the Selective Enlargement of Fare-Free Public Transport

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12166390 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (16) ◽

pp. 6390 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Krzysztof Grzelec ◽

Aleksander Jagiełło

Keyword(s):

Public Transport ◽

Market Research ◽

Urban Transport ◽

Transport Systems ◽

Local Authorities ◽

The Public ◽

Transport Services ◽

Mode Of Transportation ◽

Free Transport ◽

Using Data

In recent years fare-free public transport (FFPT) found itself at the centre of attention of various groups, such as economists, transport engineers and local authorities, as well as those responsible for the organisation of urban transport. The FFPT is hoped to be the answer to contemporary transport-related problems within cities, problems which largely result from insensible proportions between trips carried out via personal mode of transportation and those completed by the means of public transport. This article reviews the motives and effects connected with the introduction to date of fare-free transport zones across the globe. It also presents, using data obtained in market research, the actual impact of a selective extension of the entitlement to free fares on the demand for urban transport services. The effects observed in other urban transport systems were then compared against those observed in relation to one, examined system. Analyses of observed FFPT implementation effects were then used to establish good and bad practices in the introduction of FFPT. The article also contains forecasts on the effect of the extension of entitlement to free fares and an increase in the public transport offer may have on the volume of demand for such services. The analyses have shown that an increase in the public transport offer (understood as an increase in the volume of vehicle-kilometres) would increase the demand for urban transport services more than the selective implementation of FFPT (assuming that the costs incurred by the local authorities remain unchanged).

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Prenatal and neonatal factors for the development of childhood visual impairment in primary and middle school students: a cross-sectional survey in Guangzhou, China

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032721 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. e032721

Author(s):

Bolan Yu ◽

Lijuan Dai ◽

Juanjuan Chen ◽

Wen Sun ◽

Jingsi Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Middle School ◽

Visual Acuity ◽

Middle School Students ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

High Birth Weight ◽

Delivery Mode ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

School Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Postnatal Factors

ObjectivesIn this cross-sectional survey, we sought to determine the prevalence of and the influence of prenatal and neonatal factors on childhood visual impairment without correction (VIUC) in a paediatric population from Guangzhou, China.SettingThe health survey covered 11 administrative districts in Guangzhou, including 991 schools.ParticipantsAll of the primary and middle school students in Guangzhou were invited to complete an online questionnaire with the help of their parents. The results of physical examinations were reported by school medical departments. The results of the questionnaire were collected by the researchers. In total, 253 301 questionnaires were collected.Primary outcome measuresThe students’ uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was examined by trained optometrists by standard logarithmic visual acuity charts. VIUC was defined by UCVA (of the better eye) (UCVA <6/12) with three levels: light VIUC (UCVA ≥6/18 to <6/12), mild VIUC (UCVA ≥6/60 to <6/18) and severe VIUC (UCVA <6/60).ResultsA total of 39 768 individuals (15.7%) had VIUC, and the rate was much higher among grade 10 to 12 students (51.4%) than among grade 1 to 6 students (6.71%). The following factors were significantly associated with an increased risk of VIUC: female gender, high birth weight, formula feeding, not having siblings, higher level of parents’ education, parental myopia, much homework time and little outdoor activity. Delivery mode was not associated with the risk of VIUC.ConclusionsThis study validates known major prenatal/genetic, perinatal and postnatal factors for childhood VIUC. In conclusion, prenatal and perinatal factors can affect the onset of childhood VIUC, but parental myopia and postnatal factors are the main factors.

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General self-efficacy in individuals with visual impairment compared with the general population

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0254043 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (7) ◽

pp. e0254043

Author(s):

Audun Brunes ◽

Marianne B. Hansen ◽

Trond Heir

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

General Population ◽

Visual Impairment ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Vision Loss ◽

Previous History ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Norwegian Population ◽

General Self Efficacy

Background Knowledge about self-efficacy and its significance for the quality of life of people with visual impairment is lacking. The aims of the study were to compare general self-efficacy in individuals with visual impairment with the general population, and to investigate the association between self-efficacy and life satisfaction. Methods A telephone-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and May 2017 in a probability sample of adults who were members of the Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted. Participants were asked questions about their sociodemographic characteristics, characteristics of vision loss, general self-efficacy (General Self-efficacy Scale), and life satisfaction (Cantril’s Ladder of Life Satisfaction). We obtained norm data from a representative survey of the general Norwegian population (N = 1792; mean age 53.2 years; 52.5% females). Results People with visual impairment had higher levels of general self-efficacy than people in the general population (Mean: 31.5 versus 29.0, p < .001). Results from linear regression analyses of the visual impairment population showed that higher education and residential in an urban municipality were associated with higher self-efficacy. Having additional impairments and a previous history of physical or sexual assaults were associated with lower self-efficacy. A linear dose-response relationship was found between self-efficacy and life satisfaction, in the visual impairment population as well as in the general population. Conclusions People with visual impairment have higher self-efficacy than people in the general population, possibly due to extensive mastery experience in how to handle life as visually impaired. Self-efficacy seems to be important in achieving the best possible life.

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Joint optimisation of operation and maintenance policies in an urban ropeway transport systems context

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management ◽

10.1108/ijqrm-10-2018-0292 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 36 (7) ◽

pp. 1106-1136 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

R.M. Martinod ◽

Olivier Bistorin ◽

Leonel Castañeda ◽

Nidhal Rezg

Keyword(s):

Public Transport ◽

Discrete Event ◽

Transport Systems ◽

Block Type ◽

Maintenance Policy ◽

Content Type ◽

Transport Services ◽

Optimisation Model ◽

Maintenance Policies ◽

Public Transport Services

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a stochastic optimisation model for integrating service and maintenance policies in order to solve the queuing problem and the cost of maintenance activities for public transport services, with a particular focus on urban ropeway system. Design/methodology/approach The authors adopt the following approaches: a discrete-event model that uses a set of interrelated queues for the formulation of the service problem using a cost-based expression; and a maintenance model consisting of preventive and corrective maintenance actions, which considers two different maintenance policies (periodic block-type and age-based). Findings The work shows that neither periodic block-type maintenance nor an age-based maintenance is necessarily the best maintenance strategy over a long system lifecycle; the optimal strategy must consider both policies. Practical implications The maintenance policies are then evaluated for their impact on the service and operation of the transport system. The authors conclude by applying the proposed optimisation model using an example concerning ropeway systems. Originality/value This is the first study to simultaneously consider maintenance policy and operational policy in an urban aerial ropeway system, taking up the problem of queuing with particular attention to the unique requirements public transport services.

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Regulierung versus Deregulierung im Öffentlichen Personennahverkehr – Das Modell eines Nutzerklubs

Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik ◽

10.1111/1468-2516.00075 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 69-84 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Dirk Meyer

Keyword(s):

Public Transport ◽

Network Effects ◽

Transport Systems ◽

Economies Of Scope ◽

State Regulations ◽

Transport Services ◽

Role Of The State ◽

Long Run ◽

Supply Planning ◽

The Stability

Abstract Network effects, economies of scope as well as irreversibilities and subadditive cost functions are characteristics of public passenger transport systems. The proposal of a user club shows that a collective requirement to act can be covered even without state regulations. The club bears the responsibility for a sufficient public transport supply, which local jurisdictions can supplement by their own means. In a public tendering, the club confers the actual supply planning to the management company, which in turn chooses qualified bidders for the carrying out of the public transport services. The different problems of long-run irreversible investments (railway system), an appropriate structure of transport fares to prevent a cherry-picking by outsiders, the stability of the club as well as the role of the state are treated separately.

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