Roy Chand
Chapter-1: Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Battery operated autorickshaw (Easybike) is a newly added mode of public transport in urban transportation of Bangladesh. From the very begining of introducing this mode is being used as a popular public transport mode especially for the urban lower, lower-middle and even middle class people.
Urban transportation system involves different types of public transport modes namely bus, minibus, CNG-autorickshaw, rickshaw, autotempu and recently the battery operated autorickshaw. Among all these transport modes rickshaw is characterized by slowest flow characteristics. As a service provider mode of public transport rickshaw is much expensive mode of transport especially for the lower and lower-middle urban passengers because of its undefined and uncontrolled fare system. Also the presence of non-motorized vehicles especially rickshaw in the traffic stream affects vehicular performance and reduces the actual capacities of highway facilities. These effects are severe at signalized intersections within the urban areas where there are frequent intersections[1]. Rahman M. M. (2003) studied that if the proportion of rickshaw in the mixed traffic stream is more than 50% at signalized urban intersection discharge rate of traffic reduces drastically as the proportion of rickshaws increases.
CNG- autorickshaw are characterized by greater mobility than rickshaw but these modes are very expensive and also considerably responsible for degrading urban environment through pollution. Minibus and bus are the popular mode of public transportation with least unit fare and these types of modes are highly appreciated for passenger carrying in the densely populated urban areas.
Battery operated autorickshaw or easybike can be better sustitute to rickshaw in urban transportation system. Rickshaw, on an average carries two passengers while at the same time an easybike can serve the transport demand of two or three times more passengers
1.1 Background of the Study
Battery operated autorickshaw (Easybike) is a newly added mode of public transport in urban transportation of Bangladesh. From the very begining of introducing this mode is being used as a popular public transport mode especially for the urban lower, lower-middle and even middle class people.
Urban transportation system involves different types of public transport modes namely bus, minibus, CNG-autorickshaw, rickshaw, autotempu and recently the battery operated autorickshaw. Among all these transport modes rickshaw is characterized by slowest flow characteristics. As a service provider mode of public transport rickshaw is much expensive mode of transport especially for the lower and lower-middle urban passengers because of its undefined and uncontrolled fare system. Also the presence of non-motorized vehicles especially rickshaw in the traffic stream affects vehicular performance and reduces the actual capacities of highway facilities. These effects are severe at signalized intersections within the urban areas where there are frequent intersections[1]. Rahman M. M. (2003) studied that if the proportion of rickshaw in the mixed traffic stream is more than 50% at signalized urban intersection discharge rate of traffic reduces drastically as the proportion of rickshaws increases.
CNG- autorickshaw are characterized by greater mobility than rickshaw but these modes are very expensive and also considerably responsible for degrading urban environment through pollution. Minibus and bus are the popular mode of public transportation with least unit fare and these types of modes are highly appreciated for passenger carrying in the densely populated urban areas.
Battery operated autorickshaw or easybike can be better sustitute to rickshaw in urban transportation system. Rickshaw, on an average carries two passengers while at the same time an easybike can serve the transport demand of two or three times more passengers