Assessment of Pedestrian Facilities Accessibility at Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Stations in Case of East-West Corridor

Shimelis Getachew Tola

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11

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Assessment of Pedestrian Facilities Accessibility at Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Stations in Case of East-West Corridor

Shimelis Getachew Tola

Published in International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications (Volume 11, Issue 6)

Received: 27 September 2023 Accepted: 1 November 2023 Published: 26 December 2023

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Abstract

Evaluation of pedestrian facility accessibility and service quality based on user perception and pedestrian level of service (PLOS) is critical to improving facility performance, particularly for transit station facilities with a high number of users. Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, has built a new light rail transit service and is putting it to use to address mobility issues in the city. Light rail transit station amenities were planned to serve pedestrians with potential benefits and criteria of decreased cost, safety, dependability, comfort, environmental friendliness, efficiency, and pedestrian attractiveness when realized. However, contrary to these expectations, the light rail transit station (LRS) facilities are currently characterized by long wait times, crowdedness, poor service quality, and uncomfortable traveling circumstances. This study aimed to determine the accessibility of pedestrian facilities at Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Stations (AARLTS) in the East-West corridor based on pedestrian facilities level of service (PLOS) and pedestrian perception of the service quality of the AALRTS facilities service. The survey method was utilized, which included both closed-ended and open-ended inquiries. The Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual (TCQSM), 2013 standards were used to determine the PLOS of station facilities such as stairways, crosswalks, and platforms at three stations, Stadium (elevated station), Meganangna (semi-underground station), and Torhailoch (ground station), and descriptive analysis was used to identify pedestrian satisfaction and perception of the facilities services. The results have shown that the majority of the AALRTS facility levels of service fall into the PLOS-E category, except for the crosswalk facilities at Stadium stations, which fall into the PLOS-D category. This means the facilities provide a service that exceeds their designed capability. Most respondents (more than 80%) were dissatisfied with service quality parameters such as freedom to choose walking speed and pass others, available space (width), efficiency, comfortability, and sense of safety at the station. Most respondents (more than 50%) were pleased with the cleanliness of the facilities. It is possible to conclude that pedestrian facilities are not safe or convenient for pedestrians to use. The key countermeasures to overcome pedestrian facility accessibility concerns were redesigning and developing pedestrian facilities, good pedestrian flow management, and extending the facility width. As a result, stakeholders must address the issue through better design and maintenance, as well as pedestrian flow management.

Published in	International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications (Volume 11, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11
Page(s)	125-142
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Pedestrians’ Level of Service, Pedestrian’s Perceptions, Service Quality, Pedestrians’ Facilities, Light Rail Transit Stations

References

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APA Style

Tola, S. G. (2023). Assessment of Pedestrian Facilities Accessibility at Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Stations in Case of East-West Corridor. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications, 11(6), 125-142. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11

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Tola, S. G. Assessment of Pedestrian Facilities Accessibility at Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Stations in Case of East-West Corridor. Int. J. Mech. Eng. Appl. 2023, 11(6), 125-142. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11

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AMA Style

Tola SG. Assessment of Pedestrian Facilities Accessibility at Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Stations in Case of East-West Corridor. Int J Mech Eng Appl. 2023;11(6):125-142. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11,
  author = {Shimelis Getachew Tola},
  title = {Assessment of Pedestrian Facilities Accessibility at Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Stations in Case of East-West Corridor},
  journal = {International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications},
  volume = {11},
  number = {6},
  pages = {125-142},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijmea.20231106.11},
  abstract = {Evaluation of pedestrian facility accessibility and service quality based on user perception and pedestrian level of service (PLOS) is critical to improving facility performance, particularly for transit station facilities with a high number of users. Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, has built a new light rail transit service and is putting it to use to address mobility issues in the city. Light rail transit station amenities were planned to serve pedestrians with potential benefits and criteria of decreased cost, safety, dependability, comfort, environmental friendliness, efficiency, and pedestrian attractiveness when realized. However, contrary to these expectations, the light rail transit station (LRS) facilities are currently characterized by long wait times, crowdedness, poor service quality, and uncomfortable traveling circumstances. This study aimed to determine the accessibility of pedestrian facilities at Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Stations (AARLTS) in the East-West corridor based on pedestrian facilities level of service (PLOS) and pedestrian perception of the service quality of the AALRTS facilities service. The survey method was utilized, which included both closed-ended and open-ended inquiries. The Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual (TCQSM), 2013 standards were used to determine the PLOS of station facilities such as stairways, crosswalks, and platforms at three stations, Stadium (elevated station), Meganangna (semi-underground station), and Torhailoch (ground station), and descriptive analysis was used to identify pedestrian satisfaction and perception of the facilities services. The results have shown that the majority of the AALRTS facility levels of service fall into the PLOS-E category, except for the crosswalk facilities at Stadium stations, which fall into the PLOS-D category. This means the facilities provide a service that exceeds their designed capability. Most respondents (more than 80%) were dissatisfied with service quality parameters such as freedom to choose walking speed and pass others, available space (width), efficiency, comfortability, and sense of safety at the station. Most respondents (more than 50%) were pleased with the cleanliness of the facilities. It is possible to conclude that pedestrian facilities are not safe or convenient for pedestrians to use. The key countermeasures to overcome pedestrian facility accessibility concerns were redesigning and developing pedestrian facilities, good pedestrian flow management, and extending the facility width. As a result, stakeholders must address the issue through better design and maintenance, as well as pedestrian flow management.
},
 year = {2023}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Assessment of Pedestrian Facilities Accessibility at Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Stations in Case of East-West Corridor
AU  - Shimelis Getachew Tola
Y1  - 2023/12/26
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11
T2  - International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications
JF  - International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications
JO  - International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications
SP  - 125
EP  - 142
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0248
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11
AB  - Evaluation of pedestrian facility accessibility and service quality based on user perception and pedestrian level of service (PLOS) is critical to improving facility performance, particularly for transit station facilities with a high number of users. Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, has built a new light rail transit service and is putting it to use to address mobility issues in the city. Light rail transit station amenities were planned to serve pedestrians with potential benefits and criteria of decreased cost, safety, dependability, comfort, environmental friendliness, efficiency, and pedestrian attractiveness when realized. However, contrary to these expectations, the light rail transit station (LRS) facilities are currently characterized by long wait times, crowdedness, poor service quality, and uncomfortable traveling circumstances. This study aimed to determine the accessibility of pedestrian facilities at Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Stations (AARLTS) in the East-West corridor based on pedestrian facilities level of service (PLOS) and pedestrian perception of the service quality of the AALRTS facilities service. The survey method was utilized, which included both closed-ended and open-ended inquiries. The Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual (TCQSM), 2013 standards were used to determine the PLOS of station facilities such as stairways, crosswalks, and platforms at three stations, Stadium (elevated station), Meganangna (semi-underground station), and Torhailoch (ground station), and descriptive analysis was used to identify pedestrian satisfaction and perception of the facilities services. The results have shown that the majority of the AALRTS facility levels of service fall into the PLOS-E category, except for the crosswalk facilities at Stadium stations, which fall into the PLOS-D category. This means the facilities provide a service that exceeds their designed capability. Most respondents (more than 80%) were dissatisfied with service quality parameters such as freedom to choose walking speed and pass others, available space (width), efficiency, comfortability, and sense of safety at the station. Most respondents (more than 50%) were pleased with the cleanliness of the facilities. It is possible to conclude that pedestrian facilities are not safe or convenient for pedestrians to use. The key countermeasures to overcome pedestrian facility accessibility concerns were redesigning and developing pedestrian facilities, good pedestrian flow management, and extending the facility width. As a result, stakeholders must address the issue through better design and maintenance, as well as pedestrian flow management.

VL  - 11
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Shimelis Getachew Tola

Department of Urban Infrastructure and Transport Management, Transport planning and management program, College of Urban Development and Engineering, Ethiopia Civil Service University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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APA Style

Tola, S. G. (2023). Assessment of Pedestrian Facilities Accessibility at Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Stations in Case of East-West Corridor. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications, 11(6), 125-142. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11

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ACS Style

Tola, S. G. Assessment of Pedestrian Facilities Accessibility at Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Stations in Case of East-West Corridor. Int. J. Mech. Eng. Appl. 2023, 11(6), 125-142. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11

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AMA Style

Tola SG. Assessment of Pedestrian Facilities Accessibility at Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Stations in Case of East-West Corridor. Int J Mech Eng Appl. 2023;11(6):125-142. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11,
  author = {Shimelis Getachew Tola},
  title = {Assessment of Pedestrian Facilities Accessibility at Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Stations in Case of East-West Corridor},
  journal = {International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications},
  volume = {11},
  number = {6},
  pages = {125-142},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijmea.20231106.11},
  abstract = {Evaluation of pedestrian facility accessibility and service quality based on user perception and pedestrian level of service (PLOS) is critical to improving facility performance, particularly for transit station facilities with a high number of users. Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, has built a new light rail transit service and is putting it to use to address mobility issues in the city. Light rail transit station amenities were planned to serve pedestrians with potential benefits and criteria of decreased cost, safety, dependability, comfort, environmental friendliness, efficiency, and pedestrian attractiveness when realized. However, contrary to these expectations, the light rail transit station (LRS) facilities are currently characterized by long wait times, crowdedness, poor service quality, and uncomfortable traveling circumstances. This study aimed to determine the accessibility of pedestrian facilities at Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Stations (AARLTS) in the East-West corridor based on pedestrian facilities level of service (PLOS) and pedestrian perception of the service quality of the AALRTS facilities service. The survey method was utilized, which included both closed-ended and open-ended inquiries. The Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual (TCQSM), 2013 standards were used to determine the PLOS of station facilities such as stairways, crosswalks, and platforms at three stations, Stadium (elevated station), Meganangna (semi-underground station), and Torhailoch (ground station), and descriptive analysis was used to identify pedestrian satisfaction and perception of the facilities services. The results have shown that the majority of the AALRTS facility levels of service fall into the PLOS-E category, except for the crosswalk facilities at Stadium stations, which fall into the PLOS-D category. This means the facilities provide a service that exceeds their designed capability. Most respondents (more than 80%) were dissatisfied with service quality parameters such as freedom to choose walking speed and pass others, available space (width), efficiency, comfortability, and sense of safety at the station. Most respondents (more than 50%) were pleased with the cleanliness of the facilities. It is possible to conclude that pedestrian facilities are not safe or convenient for pedestrians to use. The key countermeasures to overcome pedestrian facility accessibility concerns were redesigning and developing pedestrian facilities, good pedestrian flow management, and extending the facility width. As a result, stakeholders must address the issue through better design and maintenance, as well as pedestrian flow management.
},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Assessment of Pedestrian Facilities Accessibility at Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Stations in Case of East-West Corridor
AU  - Shimelis Getachew Tola
Y1  - 2023/12/26
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11
T2  - International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications
JF  - International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications
JO  - International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications
SP  - 125
EP  - 142
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0248
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20231106.11
AB  - Evaluation of pedestrian facility accessibility and service quality based on user perception and pedestrian level of service (PLOS) is critical to improving facility performance, particularly for transit station facilities with a high number of users. Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, has built a new light rail transit service and is putting it to use to address mobility issues in the city. Light rail transit station amenities were planned to serve pedestrians with potential benefits and criteria of decreased cost, safety, dependability, comfort, environmental friendliness, efficiency, and pedestrian attractiveness when realized. However, contrary to these expectations, the light rail transit station (LRS) facilities are currently characterized by long wait times, crowdedness, poor service quality, and uncomfortable traveling circumstances. This study aimed to determine the accessibility of pedestrian facilities at Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Stations (AARLTS) in the East-West corridor based on pedestrian facilities level of service (PLOS) and pedestrian perception of the service quality of the AALRTS facilities service. The survey method was utilized, which included both closed-ended and open-ended inquiries. The Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual (TCQSM), 2013 standards were used to determine the PLOS of station facilities such as stairways, crosswalks, and platforms at three stations, Stadium (elevated station), Meganangna (semi-underground station), and Torhailoch (ground station), and descriptive analysis was used to identify pedestrian satisfaction and perception of the facilities services. The results have shown that the majority of the AALRTS facility levels of service fall into the PLOS-E category, except for the crosswalk facilities at Stadium stations, which fall into the PLOS-D category. This means the facilities provide a service that exceeds their designed capability. Most respondents (more than 80%) were dissatisfied with service quality parameters such as freedom to choose walking speed and pass others, available space (width), efficiency, comfortability, and sense of safety at the station. Most respondents (more than 50%) were pleased with the cleanliness of the facilities. It is possible to conclude that pedestrian facilities are not safe or convenient for pedestrians to use. The key countermeasures to overcome pedestrian facility accessibility concerns were redesigning and developing pedestrian facilities, good pedestrian flow management, and extending the facility width. As a result, stakeholders must address the issue through better design and maintenance, as well as pedestrian flow management.

VL  - 11
IS  - 6
ER  -

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