Research Article
Assessment of Pedestrian Facilities Accessibility at Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Stations in Case of East-West Corridor
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 6, December 2023
Pages:
125-142
Received:
27 September 2023
Accepted:
1 November 2023
Published:
26 December 2023
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.
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 addr...
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