A needs-based investigation to manage the safety of public transport infrastructure using Jamaica as a case study

Uter, Leighton Haniff (2021). A needs-based investigation to manage the safety of public transport infrastructure using Jamaica as a case study. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

The global concerns for road safety have risen over the past decades based on the number of road fatalities and serious injuries that have occurred. Nonetheless, there have been significant gains in reducing the number road crashes that occur in developed countries. However, road crashes still remain a challenge for developing countries, where road safety is not included as a key aspect of road design. This is as a result of road crashes being viewed as a consequence of road transport and not a preventable occurrence in most developing countries, (WHO, 2005).
This research begins with introducing the global problem of mass population movement into urban areas and the impact on road users, public transport facilities and urban road design features. It explains the background for the basis of the research project by looking at the existing situation in Jamaica. And at the same time presents a literature review, which looks at research in the areas of road safety, road safety models and public transport facilities. The methodology that follows, demonstrates the development of a new crash allocation star rating model for pub-lic transport pedestrian users at public transport facilities. This by adopting the model development principles of the iRAP methodology.
In addition, a needs-based approach was developed to assess the safety needs of public transport pedestrian users at public transport facilities. This was as a result of public transport pedestrian users and public transport facilities not included as a road user type or road attribute in iRAP. Nonetheless, data collection was done using the iRAP methodology. In particular, the data was collected at different IQL levels according to the iRAP road survey methodology. The data considered road attributes, transport facilities such as bus shelters and transport centres and road crash fatalities. Moreover, road crash fatalities that occurred at public transport facilities in the study area of Kingston and St. Andrew on 9 road sections.
The assessment process was carried out first using the iRAP methodology which focused on road attributes within the existing iRAP data base. Where road attributes were not identified, the needs-based assessment process was used. In this way, risk factors identified using the need-based approach were to expand the iRAP methodology, to develop a star rating equation for public transport pedestrian users. By extension, countermeasure interventions were introduced where these were not found to be included in the existing iRAP methodology. Furthermore, an economic analysis was done for two options using the FYRR method. The results demonstrated positive FYRRs’, however the rate of return on investment depended on the cost to implement the countermeasure identified.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):