Optimum Locations for Intercity Bus Terminals with the AHP Approach – Case Study of the City of Esfahan

Authors: Mehrdad Arabi, Ehsan Beheshtitabar, Bahador Ghadirifaraz, Behrooz Forjanizadeh

Abstract:

Interaction between human, location and activity defines space. In the framework of these relations, space is a container for current specifications in relations of the 3 mentioned elements. The change of land utility considered with average performance range, urban regulations, society requirements etc. will provide welfare and comfort for citizens. From an engineering view it is fundamental that choosing a proper location for a specific civil activity requires evaluation of locations from different perspectives. The debate of desirable establishment of municipal service elements in urban regions is one of the most important issues related to urban planning. In this paper, the research type is applicable based on goal, and is descriptive and analytical based on nature. Initially existing terminals in Esfahan are surveyed and then new locations are presented based on evaluated criteria. In order to evaluate terminals based on the considered factors, an AHP model is used at first to estimate weight of different factors and then existing and suggested locations are evaluated using Arc GIS software and AHP model results. The results show that existing bus terminals are located in fairly proper locations. Further results of this study suggest new locations to establish terminals based on urban criteria.

Keywords: Arc GIS, Esfahan city, Optimum locations, Terminals.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1099404

References:

[1] Afandizadeh, Sh; Afyounian, M; Jalali, A. Locating intercity bus terminals with the aim of reducing traveller access times. In Proceedings of the 7th National Iranian Conference of Traffic and Transport. 2006.
[2] Saaty, T.L. How to make a decision: The analytic hierarchy process. Volume 48, Issue 1, 5 September 1990, Pages 9–26
[3] Esfahan Municipality official website.
[4] The governmental managing and supervising body of Esfahan intercity terminals. < http://www.rmto.ir/>
[5] The technical regulations for terminal designs, Number 352, Technical deputy of presidency, Iran. 2007.
[6] Triantaphyllou, E; Mann, S. Using the analytical hierarchy process for decision making in engineering applications: some challenges. Inter’l Journal of Industrial Engineering: Applications and Practice, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 35-44, 1995
[7] Zebardast, E. Applying the analytic hierarchy process for urban and regional planning. Journal of fine arts. Vol 10, 2001.