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The combination of e-bike-sharing and demand-responsive transport systems in rural areas: A case study of Velenje - PubMed

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The combination of e-bike-sharing and demand-responsive transport systems in rural areas: A case study of Velenje

Francesco Bruzzone et al. Res Transp Bus Manag. 2021 Sep.

Abstract

An analysis of the operational characteristics of the transit system serving the town of Velenje (Slovenia) revealed poor performance and the need for improvements. This paper describes the potential integration of an electric bike-sharing system and a semi-flexible demand-responsive transport system to effectively solve this issue. Additionally, general guidance is provided for transit systems with low travel demand. Appropriate transport system schedules are proposed to facilitate customers' use and thus to move demand shares away from private motorized transport. Focus group interviews, implemented to directly involve local stakeholders, revealed an overall positive perception of the proposed transport system. Furthermore, the cost analysis demonstrated that the costs of the new system would not be much higher for the municipality than those currently incurred, making it an important performance improvement achieved at low cost.

Keywords: Active travel; Bike; Demand-responsive transit; Rural areas; Transport integration.

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1

Possible ripple effects of a deficient supply of transit – Adapted from Kirchhoff (1995).

Fig. 2
Fig. 2

Velenje's location.

Fig. 3
Fig. 3

Map of the Velenje area. Reprinted from

www.openstreetmap.org

, retrieved 15 May 2020.

Fig. 4
Fig. 4

Urban and suburban bus routes in Velenje.

Fig. 5
Fig. 5

First proposal of the new DRTS and e-BSS presented to the focus groups for review.

Fig. 6
Fig. 6

A mix of band and sector operations was chosen from among various possibilities for application in Velenje (Source: Nocera & Tsakarestos, 2004).

Fig. 7
Fig. 7

Building a schedule for a band-operation DRTS (Source: Nocera & Tsakarestos, 2004).

Fig. 8
Fig. 8

A shared e-bike and local bus in Velenje; these are the backbone of the proposed integrated system Reprinted from Municipality of Velenje, 2020.

Fig. 9
Fig. 9

Connections between bus routes 1 (blue) and 2 (red) and bike sharing and parking facilities in the Velenje area. (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)

Fig. 10
Fig. 10

Details and numbers of new fixed (blue) and optional (red) bus stops. (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)

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