Analysis of Bus-stops locations using Geographic Information System in Ibadan North L.G.A Nigeria

Abstract

This study focuses on the determination of best location for bus stops  to enhance public transport in Ibadan north, Oyo State.The significance of having suitable locations for Bus stop is recognised as a crucial element in the drive to improve the quality of bus services and public transport in general.This study employs the tools of Geographic Information System (GIS) in the determination of the suitability of the bus stops location, stop spacing and the evaluation of characteristics of the existing stops in the study area.

The major roads and bus stops in Ibadan North Local Government were identified and the roads were digitized as line features. Garmin 12 Global Positioning System Receiver (GPS) was used to get the locations of the bus stop. The GPS was calibrated to Geographic Coordinate System (GCS) and World Geodetic System 84 (wgs84) as the datum. For this study, determination of best locations for the bus stop is based on three (3) criteria; these are four hundred (400) meters bus stop interval on the major road, available setback from the road ideal for bus Stop shelter and slope. Thereafter, poorly located bus stops were identified by adding the existing bus stop layer on the suitability map derived from determination of best locations for the bus stops. In all, seventy two (72) existing bus stops were identified, using the stated criteria for classifying the already existing bus stops. The analysis showed that there are four (4) very good bus stops, thirty five (35) good bus stops and thirty three (33) bad bus stops.

The paper recommends that guidelines for locating stops should be followed to reduce the risk, accessibility to stops should be considered by standard spacing and by considering marginal walking distance. The conclusion was that giving bus stops location a thorough consideration would help in a long way in enhancing public transport system by boosting the principle of good access which is Safety, Affordability, Accessibility and Reliability.

Keywords: Public Transport, GIS, Bus-stops Locations