ABSTRACT
Transport information systems are
gaining increased popularity among public bus transport users in developed
countries as it provides basic first hand and genuine real time travel
information to road users. While these technologies are perceived beneficial to
travellers in developed countries, these technologies have rarely been explored
in developing countries. Also this research area are still very new and there
are very limited studies on this topic. In developing counties such as Nigeria,
travellers suffer daily from poor travel information such as unreliable route
guidance information, unpredictable bus arrival times, unreliable traffic
information, to name a few. The aim of this dissertation is to further explore
the various information challenges Nigerian commuters face while using public
bus transport as well as design a real time transport information system to
improve the commuting experience of people who travel by public buses in
Nigeria.
In order to fulfil the objectives
of this study, this study adopted a combination of Mixed-methods Sequential
Exploratory Design and Structured System Analysis and Design Methodology
(SSADM) - for the development of a
real time transport information system. Structured online questionnaires and
interview sections captured evaluation of real-life experience of road users
with the developed system.
The results of this evaluation
shows that the proposed system reveals genuine live travel information, such as
bus arrival and departure times, schedule trips, estimate journey times, bus
route information, vehicle information.
In conclusion, this dissertation
has made a significant contribution to the field of information systems as it
is a study that explored extensively the key information challenges road users
encounter while travelling via public buses in Nigeria.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Title Page
Abstract
CHAPTER
ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objective of the Study
1.4 Significance of the Study
1.5 Methodology
1.6 Organization of the Study
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2.1Chapter Overview
2.2 Benefits of a Real-Time Transport Information System
2.3 Challenges in Implementing Transport Information System
2.4
Studies about Transport Information Systems
2.4.1 Seattle Department of
Transportation
2.4.2 Intelligent Transport Systems in
the United Kingdom
2.4.3 Japan VICS (Vehicle Information Communications
Systems)
2.4.4
India ITS (Intelligent Transport System)
2.4.5
ITS Implementation in the Czech Republic
CHAPTER
THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction
3.1 Why
Mixed-Methods Design
3.2 Research
Method
3.3 System Analysis and Design Methodology
(SSAADM)
3.4 Research Tools
3.5 Justification of Research Tools
3.6 System Architecture
3.7 System Flowchart
CHAPTER FOUR:
SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION AND
ANALYSIS OF
RESULTS
4.0
Introduction
4.1
Real-Time Transport Information System-Implementation
4.2
Implementation Plan
4.3
Mobile Application Interface Design
4.4
Testing the New System
4.5
Installing the New System
4.5.1 Hardware Requirement
4.5.2 Software Requirement
4.6
Software Description
4.6.1 Administrator Mobile Client
4.6.2 Driver Mobile Client
4.6.3
Commuter Mobile Client
4.7
System Testing
4.8
Testing Result
CHAPTER FIVE:
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION
AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
50 Introduction
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendations
5.4 Contribution
to Knowledge
References
Appendix
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Transport is the movement of
people, animals and goods from one location to another. Modes of transport
include air, rail, road, water, cable, pipeline and space. The field can be
divided into infrastructure, vehicles and operations. Transport is important
because it enables trade between persons, which is essential for the
development of civilizations (Ruth et al., 2010). Transport plays an important
part in economic growth and globalization, but most types cause air pollution
and use large amounts of land. While it is heavily subsidized by governments,
good planning of transport is essential to make traffic flow and restrain urban
sprawl (Padmanaban et al., 2010; Stopford, 1997). Transport
planning allows for high utilization and less impact regarding new infrastructure.
Using models of transport forecasting, planners are able to predict future
transport patterns. Passenger transport may be public, where operators provide
scheduled services, or private (Anna, 2014).
Public transport is a shared passenger transport service which is available
for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab,
carpooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private
arrangement. Public transport modes include city buses, trolleybuses, trams (or
light rail) and passenger trains, rapid transit metro/subways/undergrounds etc)
and ferries (Anna, 2014). Public transport between cities is dominated by
airlines, coaches, and intercity rail. High-speed rail networks are being
developed in many parts of the world. Most public transport runs to a scheduled
timetable with the most frequent services running to a headway. Shared taxis
offer on-demand services in many parts of the world and some services will wait
until the vehicle is full before it starts. Paratransit is sometimes used in
areas of low-demand and for people who need a door-to-door service (Sheng-hai
et al., 2011).
A real-time system is
one that must process information and produce a response within a specified time,
else risk severe consequences, including failure (Wei, et al., 2010; Sheng-hai
et al., 2011). Promoting the use of public transportation and intelligent
transport systems, as well as improving transit accessibility for all citizens,
may help in decreasing traffic congestion and air pollution in urban areas
(Lino, 2001; Giannopoulos, 2004; Francesco et al., 2011;
Sheng-hai et al., 2011). In general, poor information
to customers is one of the main issues in public transportation services, which
is an important reason for allocating substantial efforts to implement a
powerful, easy to use and accessible information system.
An information system isan integrated set of components for collecting, storing, and
processing data as well as deliver information, knowledge,
and digital products (Vladimir, 2016). Business firms and other organizations
rely on information systems to carry out and manage their operations, interact
with their customers and suppliers, as well as compete in the marketplace. For
instance, corporations use information systems to reach their potential
customers with targeted messages over the Web, to process financial accounts,
and to manage their human resources. Governments deploy information systems to
provide services cost-effectively to citizens (Irv, 2009; Sheng-hai et al.,
2011).Digital goods, such as electronic books and software, and online
services, such as auctions and social networking, are delivered with
information systems. Individuals rely on information systems such as the internet
for socializing, studying, shopping, banking, and entertainment (Kenneth and
Jane, 2011).
The global penetration
of the Internet and the Web has enabled access to information and other
resources and facilitated the forming of relationships among people and
organizations on an unprecedented scale. The progress of electronic commerce
over the internet has resulted in a dramatic growth in digital interpersonal
communications (via e-mail and social networks), distribution of products
(software, music, e-books, and movies), and business transactions (buying,
selling, and advertising on the Web). With the emergence of smart phones,
tablets, and other computer-based mobile devices, all of which are connected by
wireless communication networks, information systems have been extended to
support mobility as the natural human condition (Anna, 2014; Gytis
and Francesco, 2009; Irma and Dorothy, 2008).
One of the problemsroad
user’s encounter is finding the right transportation at the right time which is
a universal problem. Transportation of goods and people is central to economic
and human development and lack of safe and reliable transport information can
have significant implications. Some of the problems that have arose from
unreliable transport information while using public buses in Nigeria include
journey delays due to insufficient road information, misguided commuters, and
safety issues. For example: unfortunately, in the past, hoodlums have taken
advantage of foreigners who do not have adequate information of their
destination, using that as an opportunity to dupe or harm them in process of
asking for direction.
The main objective of
this study is to design a Real-Time Transport Information System to improve the
information challenges associated with public bus transport service in Nigeria
so as to meet the transport information needs of public bus users in Nigeria.The
specific objectives are:
1. identify the information challenges that commuters face in using
public bus transport services in Nigeria;
2. develop a user-friendly transport information system that will
enable commuters see real-time travel information, so as to effectively plan
their daily journey on public buses and
3. evaluate the performance of the real time transport information
system developed in two above
This research is
intended to implement a Real-Time Transport
Information System for public bus transport which would reduce unnecessary
waste of time, money and insecurity for public bus users as it would provide
genuine information. Some of the advantages of this initiative provides access
to transport information which improves mobility, maintain or improve road user
and workers safety and it also provide live access to transport information which
increases security of travellers.
This research aim to
make the use of public bus transport more relaxing for passengers and drivers
in Nigeria.
In
order to accomplish this thesis objectives, this study focuses on people who
travel by public buses in Nigeria so as to identify the information challenges
they encounter daily while travelling by public buses.
This study adopted a combination of Structured System Analysis and Design Methodology (SSADM) and
Mixed-method Sequential Exploratory Design as the main
research methodology.
Study
One: Mixed- Method Research
Mixed-methods research is a
creative form of research that integrates both qualitative and quantitative
method so as to provide rich insight into a research problem (Creswell, 2003).
It has been identified in the social science literature as suitable for information
systems research (Creswell, 2003; Venkatesh,
et al., 2013). In this study, mixed-methods approach is employed so as
to gain deeper insight into the key information problems commuters’ face while
using public bus transport services in Nigeria.
The data collection consists of two
phases as follows:
Phase
One: This phase involves designing and
distributing online questionnaires to commuters. The surveys consist of
exploratory questions about how long commuters have been travelling by public
buses, how they currently get access to transport information, what they like
and dislike about public bus, and suggestions for improvement. The
questionnaires are distributed via various social platforms like Facebook,
online forums and blogs. The quantitative data collected from the
questionnaires was analysed using Microsoft excel analysis toolpak and the qualitative
data collected was analysed using inductive thematic analysis technique.
Findings from Phase One served as a basis for developing Phase Two.
Phase
Two: This phase involves interviewing two
groups of users (i.e. commuters and drivers) in order to gain an in-depth
understanding of their commuting habits, understand the types of information
challenges they face daily while using public bus transport, enquire into how
they get access daily to bus transport information. The data collected was transcribed
and analysed using inductive thematic analysis technique.These two phases allowed
us identify the key information challenges commuters face daily in using public
bus transport service in Nigeria. After collecting, transcribing and analysing
the data from these two phases, a real-time travel information system was then
proposed.
Study Two:
Structured System Analysis and Design Methodology (SSADM)
The proposed system will exploit the step of Structured System Analysis
and
Design Methodology (SSADM). SSADM is a methodology used in the analysis of design stages of system development. These stages are:
Design Methodology (SSADM). SSADM is a methodology used in the analysis of design stages of system development. These stages are:
Problem identification stage in which the problem of the domain
where the system is to be deployed is identified.
where the system is to be deployed is identified.
System design stage in which the development layout of the proposed
system software is defined using Unified Language Parameters.
System implementation and maintenance stage in which the system is implemented with
room left for updates that will improve the performance of the system.
The system will
consist of three application modules:-
a)
The Admin Module: An online mobile website that will enable the system
administrator to add information on the route, fares and other vehicle data
into the system's database. The online mobile site will be developed using PHP
scripting language and HTML 5.
b)
The Commuter Module: This is a
mobile application installed on the commuter's smart phone. It displays real-time
information of bus availability, allowing commuters to schedule trips with
drivers.
c)
The Driver Module: This is also a
mobile application that was installed on the driver's mobile devices. The
driver can view schedules sent by commuters, respond as well as view the
location of the passenger via Google map. The application also gives the driver
the option to show if they are available for work or not.
Both the Commuter and Driver module was developed using the MIT App
Inventor Mobile Application Development Tool. The online database that was used to store information was developed
using the MySQL relational database management system.
Research Tools
The following
are the tools needed for the successful design of the systems
Hardware Tools
a) Personal
Computer
b) Mobile
devices
Software Tools
a) MySQL
database management system
b) HTML 5
c) MIT App
Inventor
Programming and Scripting Language
Overviews of the other chapters of
this thesis are described below:
Chapter 2: Thischapter examines
existing literatures in the field of information systems that provide an
insight into the technological solutions attempting to manage information
challenges associated with public bus transport. This chapter is organized as
follows: the benefits of a real-time transport information system was
discussed, various challenges in implementing
transport information system were discussed, and lastly, various examples of
different projects of transport information systems introduced in other parts of
the world were examined. Projects such as the Traffic Scotland Service- an
intelligent transport systems in the United Kingdom, Urban Traffic Management
and Control (UTMC), Japan VICS (Vehicle Information Communication Systems),
India ITS, ITS Implementation in the Czech Republic.
Chapter 3: This chapter presents
and justifies the research methodologies used to fulfil the objective of this
study. This study adopted a combination of Structured System Analysis & Design
Methodology (SSADM) and Mixed-method Sequential Exploratory Design for
the development of a real time transport information system.
The Mixed-method
research aims to explore in-depth the information challenges associated with
the use of public bus transport services in Nigeria. The studies conducted are:
online questionnaires and interviews. The results gathered were analysed using
Microsoft Excel 2013 Analysis ToolPak and Inductive Thematic Analysis.
The proposed system employed the step of Structured System Analysis and
Design Methodology (SSADM).
Design Methodology (SSADM).
Chapter 4: This
chapter describes the analysis and the detailed results of the data collected
from online questionnaire and interviews. It also
describes the steps that were taken to
get the program running, implementation of the software, testing and results.
Chapter 5: This
chapter discusses the results from the data analysis. In addition to that, a
real-time transport information software was designed and proposed to improve
the information challenges identified by road users in Nigeria. The limitations
of this dissertation were described and lastly, the dissertation was summarised
and directions for future research were discussed.
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