shivanand swamy - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by shivanand swamy

Transportation research procedia, 2020

The perceptions of public transport authorities and users may vary creating a mismatch in policy ... more The perceptions of public transport authorities and users may vary creating a mismatch in policy measures and users' expectations. It is therefore important to understand user perceptions and identify variables which are more likely to influence their decision to travel in public transport. Taking a case of Ahmedabad city in India, the paper analyses user perceptions about service quality in city bus and Bus Rapid Transit System. The results illustrate that key service quality attributes are similar across different public transport modes, include both on-board and off-board measures and relate to the overall journey experience. The paper also suggests that passenger expectations are linked to existing service quality levels. When service quality is poor, users are more concerned about the basic service attributes and less sensitive to 'higher order' quality measures. As service quality improves, user perceptibility widens to a larger set of service parameters.

Transportation Research Board 94th Annual MeetingTransportation Research Board, 2015

Knowledge about commuter’s exposure to air pollutants is required considering the growing concern... more Knowledge about commuter’s exposure to air pollutants is required considering the growing concern about health impacts of transportation. With an objective to support policies for fostering transport modes and systems which minimise the risk of exposure to pollutants, the paper examines a critical pollutant Particulate Matter (PM2.5) while using road-based transport modes. The study is conducted on a 10km stretch in the city of Ahmedabad, India using Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) buses, city buses and other motorized and non-motorized modes. Variation in PM2.5 concentration levels for different mode-types and presence of air-conditioning (AC) was observed during various months covering the winter, summer and pre-monsoon season; location and time of day (peak and off-peak hours). The study gives a comparative overview of real time exposure to PM2.5 across nine modes. In-vehicle exposure in BRTS buses showed lowest PM2.5 concentration levels. Irrespective of season, location and time of day factors such as segregation, elevated height of exposure, and presence of air-conditioning favored lower exposure levels on BRTS buses. The mean concentration levels in all the modes was highest during winters (M=390μg/m³, SD=187) and lowest during the pre-monsoon period (M=115 μg/m³, SD=107). Lower PM2.5 levels on air-conditioned BRTS buses provides a basis to support policy decisions for expanding their share in the fleet. Exploring the variation in emission levels of AC and non-AC buses, which was not included in the scope of this study, will help in further strengthening the policy. The paper provides recommendation for promoting segregated public transport considering the health perspective of commuters.

Transportation Research Board 96th Annual MeetingTransportation Research Board, 2017

Journal of south asian logistics and transport, Mar 30, 2022

India's high levels of transport-related air pollution endanger public health. The transition to ... more India's high levels of transport-related air pollution endanger public health. The transition to electric mobility will address this challenge while also reducing the country's dependence on oil imports. The Government of India has offered incentives to electric vehicle manufacturers and purchasers that promote faster adoption of electric vehicles. The states have framed electric vehicle policies offering additional fiscal and non-fiscal incentives supporting this objective, but the adoption rate of electric vehicles in India is far below expectations. This paper aims to understand the factors that influence the electrification of urban freight vehicles. It does so with reference to urban freight movements linked to textile markets in Ahmedabad and Surat, and the fruit and vegetable market in Delhi. By studying these, it attempts to assess the impact of key policy and market conditions on the adoption of electric vehicles. Based on stakeholder perceptions, it further tries to identify the enablers and barriers to the electrification of urban freight vehicles.

Current Urban Studies, 2014

Ahmedabad, the largest city in the state of Gujarat, a major destination for investment in India,... more Ahmedabad, the largest city in the state of Gujarat, a major destination for investment in India, is fast emerging as a mega city. The city and neighbouring towns and villages within its metropolitan area are sprawling, leading to increased travel demand and trip lengths. Flanking rise in registered motor vehicles has resulted in increasing fuel consumption, pollution rates and accidents in the region. The city, internationally renowned for its innovations and sustainable solutions for its transport systems in the past decade, is now faced with a much larger challenge of managing growth and mobility at a metropolitan level. Recognising this growth, an Integrated Mobility Plan (IMP) is proposed for the region, attempting integrated spatial and transport planning for the first time in Indian history. The paper examines the strategies adopted to ensure a transport system that is seamless and efficient, through structuring its urban growth.

Research in transportation business and management, Jul 1, 2014

ABSTRACT Urban freight transport is important because efficient flow of goods is essential for th... more ABSTRACT Urban freight transport is important because efficient flow of goods is essential for the effective functioning of the urban economy and sustaining existing lifestyles. In Indian cities, urban freight transport research has received limited attention from policymakers. Using the case study of Ahmedabad, this paper attempts to understand the characteristics of freight transport movements in the city and identify the main freight generating centres within the city. By linking property tax data with cordon survey data the main freight generating centres were identified and functionally categorised as warehouse clusters, wholesale markets and industrial areas. Field visits were conducted at 3 prominent clusters in the city to assess surrounding land use and transport infrastructure as well as identify main issues affecting access and evacuation of goods vehicles to these important freight generating centres. The main issues identified were outdated zoning and rent control regulations, conflicting land use mix, time and access restrictions on heavy goods vehicles and severe lack of adequate parking facilities around freight generating areas. The paper concludes with recommendations of a set of interventions based on successful replication in other cities.

Developing Bus Rapid Transit, 2019

The road sector is a dominant mode of transport in India. The vast road networks exceed 3.3 million

Ahmedabad, the largest city in the state of Gujarat, a major destination for investment in India,... more Ahmedabad, the largest city in the state of Gujarat, a major destination for investment in India, is fast emerging as a mega city. The city and neighbouring towns and villages within its metropolitan area are sprawling, leading to increased travel demand and trip lengths. Flanking rise in registered motor vehicles has resulted in increasing fuel consumption, pollution rates and accidents in the region. The city, internationally renowned for its innovations and sustainable solutions for its transport systems in the past decade, is now faced with a much larger challenge of managing growth and mobility at a metropolitan level. Recognising this growth, an Integrated Mobility Plan (IMP) is proposed for the region, attempting integrated spatial and transport planning for the first time in Indian history. The paper examines the strategies adopted to ensure a transport system that is seamless and efficient, through structuring its urban growth.

Knowledge about commuter’s exposure to air pollutants is required considering the growing concern... more Knowledge about commuter’s exposure to air pollutants is required considering the growing concern about health impacts of transportation. With an objective to support policies for fostering transport modes and systems which minimise the risk of exposure to pollutants, the paper examines a critical pollutant Particulate Matter (PM2.5) while using road-based transport modes. The study is conducted on a 10km stretch in the city of Ahmedabad, India using Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) buses, city buses and other motorized and non-motorized modes. Variation in PM2.5 concentration levels for different mode-types and presence of air-conditioning (AC) was observed during various months covering the winter, summer and pre-monsoon season; location and time of day (peak and off-peak hours). The study gives a comparative overview of real time exposure to PM2.5 across nine modes. In-vehicle exposure in BRTS buses showed lowest PM2.5 concentration levels. Irrespective of season, location and tim...

Current Urban Studies, 2014

Housing, particularly for the poor and marginalised, is a complex urban problem that occupies cen... more Housing, particularly for the poor and marginalised, is a complex urban problem that occupies centre-stage in present-day development issues. Access to housing is influenced by two major factors-land, and finance. Absence of either (or both) of these results in mushrooming of high density, environmentally insanitary living areas commonly referred to as slums. The poor and vulnerable sections increasingly struggle to secure adequate quality of shelter, because of their inability to access land at affordable rates and finance to be built. As the inflow of the poor from rural to urban is, by now, accepted as inevitable, providing housing and economic opportunities for these would have to form part and parcel of any sustainable urban development strategy. In the state of Gujarat, formal housing supply is unable to meet even a fraction of the housing demands in urban areas. Thus a mix of private and informal sector housing has emerged in the past few decades. During the 1990s, the involvement of NGOs in facilitating access of the poor to housing finance also became increasingly significant. This paper presents a critical review of housing delivery systems in urban Gujarat with an emphasis on the poor. A schematic design for delivery of land and access to housing finance for poor households has also been presented.

Transportation Research Procedia, 2020

The perceptions of public transport authorities and users may vary creating a mismatch in policy ... more The perceptions of public transport authorities and users may vary creating a mismatch in policy measures and users' expectations. It is therefore important to understand user perceptions and identify variables which are more likely to influence their decision to travel in public transport. Taking a case of Ahmedabad city in India, the paper analyses user perceptions about service quality in city bus and Bus Rapid Transit System. The results illustrate that key service quality attributes are similar across different public transport modes, include both on-board and off-board measures and relate to the overall journey experience. The paper also suggests that passenger expectations are linked to existing service quality levels. When service quality is poor, users are more concerned about the basic service attributes and less sensitive to 'higher order' quality measures. As service quality improves, user perceptibility widens to a larger set of service parameters.

Developing Bus Rapid Transit, 2019

Journal of South Asian Logistics and Transport, 2022

There is a growing concern about the health impacts of transportation leading to curiosity among ... more There is a growing concern about the health impacts of transportation leading to curiosity among commuters about their exposure to air pollutants during transit. The paper examines a critical pollutant, Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and explores road based transport modes with an objective to minimize risk of exposure to pollutants. The study is conducted on a 10 km stretch in the city of Ahmedabad, India using Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) buses, city buses and other motorized and non-motorized modes. It defines variation in PM2.5 concentration levels while commuting in different modes, during various seasons (winter, summer and monsoon), location as well as varying time of the day. The study gives a comparative overview of real time exposure to PM2.5 across nine transport modes. In-vehicle exposure in air conditioned (AC) BRTS buses showed lowest PM2.5 concentration levels. Factors such as segregation, elevated height of exposure and the presence of air-conditioning were seen to fa...

Urban freight transport is important because efficient flow of goods is essential for the effecti... more Urban freight transport is important because efficient flow of goods is essential for the effective functioning of the urban economy and sustaining existing lifestyles. In Indian cities, urban freight transport research has received limited attention from policymakers. Using the case study of Ahmedabad, this paper attempts to understand the characteristics of freight transport movements in the city and identify the main freight generating centres within the city. By linking property tax data with cordon survey data the main freight generating centres were identified and functionally categorised as warehouse clusters, wholesale markets and industrial areas. Field visits were conducted at 3 prominent clusters in the city to assess surrounding land use and transport infrastructure as well as identify main issues affecting access and evacuation of goods vehicles to these important freight generating centres. The main issues identified were outdated zoning and rent control regulations, c...

Transportation research procedia, 2020

The perceptions of public transport authorities and users may vary creating a mismatch in policy ... more The perceptions of public transport authorities and users may vary creating a mismatch in policy measures and users' expectations. It is therefore important to understand user perceptions and identify variables which are more likely to influence their decision to travel in public transport. Taking a case of Ahmedabad city in India, the paper analyses user perceptions about service quality in city bus and Bus Rapid Transit System. The results illustrate that key service quality attributes are similar across different public transport modes, include both on-board and off-board measures and relate to the overall journey experience. The paper also suggests that passenger expectations are linked to existing service quality levels. When service quality is poor, users are more concerned about the basic service attributes and less sensitive to 'higher order' quality measures. As service quality improves, user perceptibility widens to a larger set of service parameters.

Transportation Research Board 94th Annual MeetingTransportation Research Board, 2015

Knowledge about commuter’s exposure to air pollutants is required considering the growing concern... more Knowledge about commuter’s exposure to air pollutants is required considering the growing concern about health impacts of transportation. With an objective to support policies for fostering transport modes and systems which minimise the risk of exposure to pollutants, the paper examines a critical pollutant Particulate Matter (PM2.5) while using road-based transport modes. The study is conducted on a 10km stretch in the city of Ahmedabad, India using Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) buses, city buses and other motorized and non-motorized modes. Variation in PM2.5 concentration levels for different mode-types and presence of air-conditioning (AC) was observed during various months covering the winter, summer and pre-monsoon season; location and time of day (peak and off-peak hours). The study gives a comparative overview of real time exposure to PM2.5 across nine modes. In-vehicle exposure in BRTS buses showed lowest PM2.5 concentration levels. Irrespective of season, location and time of day factors such as segregation, elevated height of exposure, and presence of air-conditioning favored lower exposure levels on BRTS buses. The mean concentration levels in all the modes was highest during winters (M=390μg/m³, SD=187) and lowest during the pre-monsoon period (M=115 μg/m³, SD=107). Lower PM2.5 levels on air-conditioned BRTS buses provides a basis to support policy decisions for expanding their share in the fleet. Exploring the variation in emission levels of AC and non-AC buses, which was not included in the scope of this study, will help in further strengthening the policy. The paper provides recommendation for promoting segregated public transport considering the health perspective of commuters.

Transportation Research Board 96th Annual MeetingTransportation Research Board, 2017

Journal of south asian logistics and transport, Mar 30, 2022

India's high levels of transport-related air pollution endanger public health. The transition to ... more India's high levels of transport-related air pollution endanger public health. The transition to electric mobility will address this challenge while also reducing the country's dependence on oil imports. The Government of India has offered incentives to electric vehicle manufacturers and purchasers that promote faster adoption of electric vehicles. The states have framed electric vehicle policies offering additional fiscal and non-fiscal incentives supporting this objective, but the adoption rate of electric vehicles in India is far below expectations. This paper aims to understand the factors that influence the electrification of urban freight vehicles. It does so with reference to urban freight movements linked to textile markets in Ahmedabad and Surat, and the fruit and vegetable market in Delhi. By studying these, it attempts to assess the impact of key policy and market conditions on the adoption of electric vehicles. Based on stakeholder perceptions, it further tries to identify the enablers and barriers to the electrification of urban freight vehicles.

Current Urban Studies, 2014

Ahmedabad, the largest city in the state of Gujarat, a major destination for investment in India,... more Ahmedabad, the largest city in the state of Gujarat, a major destination for investment in India, is fast emerging as a mega city. The city and neighbouring towns and villages within its metropolitan area are sprawling, leading to increased travel demand and trip lengths. Flanking rise in registered motor vehicles has resulted in increasing fuel consumption, pollution rates and accidents in the region. The city, internationally renowned for its innovations and sustainable solutions for its transport systems in the past decade, is now faced with a much larger challenge of managing growth and mobility at a metropolitan level. Recognising this growth, an Integrated Mobility Plan (IMP) is proposed for the region, attempting integrated spatial and transport planning for the first time in Indian history. The paper examines the strategies adopted to ensure a transport system that is seamless and efficient, through structuring its urban growth.

Research in transportation business and management, Jul 1, 2014

ABSTRACT Urban freight transport is important because efficient flow of goods is essential for th... more ABSTRACT Urban freight transport is important because efficient flow of goods is essential for the effective functioning of the urban economy and sustaining existing lifestyles. In Indian cities, urban freight transport research has received limited attention from policymakers. Using the case study of Ahmedabad, this paper attempts to understand the characteristics of freight transport movements in the city and identify the main freight generating centres within the city. By linking property tax data with cordon survey data the main freight generating centres were identified and functionally categorised as warehouse clusters, wholesale markets and industrial areas. Field visits were conducted at 3 prominent clusters in the city to assess surrounding land use and transport infrastructure as well as identify main issues affecting access and evacuation of goods vehicles to these important freight generating centres. The main issues identified were outdated zoning and rent control regulations, conflicting land use mix, time and access restrictions on heavy goods vehicles and severe lack of adequate parking facilities around freight generating areas. The paper concludes with recommendations of a set of interventions based on successful replication in other cities.

Developing Bus Rapid Transit, 2019

The road sector is a dominant mode of transport in India. The vast road networks exceed 3.3 million

Ahmedabad, the largest city in the state of Gujarat, a major destination for investment in India,... more Ahmedabad, the largest city in the state of Gujarat, a major destination for investment in India, is fast emerging as a mega city. The city and neighbouring towns and villages within its metropolitan area are sprawling, leading to increased travel demand and trip lengths. Flanking rise in registered motor vehicles has resulted in increasing fuel consumption, pollution rates and accidents in the region. The city, internationally renowned for its innovations and sustainable solutions for its transport systems in the past decade, is now faced with a much larger challenge of managing growth and mobility at a metropolitan level. Recognising this growth, an Integrated Mobility Plan (IMP) is proposed for the region, attempting integrated spatial and transport planning for the first time in Indian history. The paper examines the strategies adopted to ensure a transport system that is seamless and efficient, through structuring its urban growth.

Knowledge about commuter’s exposure to air pollutants is required considering the growing concern... more Knowledge about commuter’s exposure to air pollutants is required considering the growing concern about health impacts of transportation. With an objective to support policies for fostering transport modes and systems which minimise the risk of exposure to pollutants, the paper examines a critical pollutant Particulate Matter (PM2.5) while using road-based transport modes. The study is conducted on a 10km stretch in the city of Ahmedabad, India using Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) buses, city buses and other motorized and non-motorized modes. Variation in PM2.5 concentration levels for different mode-types and presence of air-conditioning (AC) was observed during various months covering the winter, summer and pre-monsoon season; location and time of day (peak and off-peak hours). The study gives a comparative overview of real time exposure to PM2.5 across nine modes. In-vehicle exposure in BRTS buses showed lowest PM2.5 concentration levels. Irrespective of season, location and tim...

Current Urban Studies, 2014

Housing, particularly for the poor and marginalised, is a complex urban problem that occupies cen... more Housing, particularly for the poor and marginalised, is a complex urban problem that occupies centre-stage in present-day development issues. Access to housing is influenced by two major factors-land, and finance. Absence of either (or both) of these results in mushrooming of high density, environmentally insanitary living areas commonly referred to as slums. The poor and vulnerable sections increasingly struggle to secure adequate quality of shelter, because of their inability to access land at affordable rates and finance to be built. As the inflow of the poor from rural to urban is, by now, accepted as inevitable, providing housing and economic opportunities for these would have to form part and parcel of any sustainable urban development strategy. In the state of Gujarat, formal housing supply is unable to meet even a fraction of the housing demands in urban areas. Thus a mix of private and informal sector housing has emerged in the past few decades. During the 1990s, the involvement of NGOs in facilitating access of the poor to housing finance also became increasingly significant. This paper presents a critical review of housing delivery systems in urban Gujarat with an emphasis on the poor. A schematic design for delivery of land and access to housing finance for poor households has also been presented.

Transportation Research Procedia, 2020

The perceptions of public transport authorities and users may vary creating a mismatch in policy ... more The perceptions of public transport authorities and users may vary creating a mismatch in policy measures and users' expectations. It is therefore important to understand user perceptions and identify variables which are more likely to influence their decision to travel in public transport. Taking a case of Ahmedabad city in India, the paper analyses user perceptions about service quality in city bus and Bus Rapid Transit System. The results illustrate that key service quality attributes are similar across different public transport modes, include both on-board and off-board measures and relate to the overall journey experience. The paper also suggests that passenger expectations are linked to existing service quality levels. When service quality is poor, users are more concerned about the basic service attributes and less sensitive to 'higher order' quality measures. As service quality improves, user perceptibility widens to a larger set of service parameters.

Developing Bus Rapid Transit, 2019

Journal of South Asian Logistics and Transport, 2022

There is a growing concern about the health impacts of transportation leading to curiosity among ... more There is a growing concern about the health impacts of transportation leading to curiosity among commuters about their exposure to air pollutants during transit. The paper examines a critical pollutant, Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and explores road based transport modes with an objective to minimize risk of exposure to pollutants. The study is conducted on a 10 km stretch in the city of Ahmedabad, India using Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) buses, city buses and other motorized and non-motorized modes. It defines variation in PM2.5 concentration levels while commuting in different modes, during various seasons (winter, summer and monsoon), location as well as varying time of the day. The study gives a comparative overview of real time exposure to PM2.5 across nine transport modes. In-vehicle exposure in air conditioned (AC) BRTS buses showed lowest PM2.5 concentration levels. Factors such as segregation, elevated height of exposure and the presence of air-conditioning were seen to fa...

Urban freight transport is important because efficient flow of goods is essential for the effecti... more Urban freight transport is important because efficient flow of goods is essential for the effective functioning of the urban economy and sustaining existing lifestyles. In Indian cities, urban freight transport research has received limited attention from policymakers. Using the case study of Ahmedabad, this paper attempts to understand the characteristics of freight transport movements in the city and identify the main freight generating centres within the city. By linking property tax data with cordon survey data the main freight generating centres were identified and functionally categorised as warehouse clusters, wholesale markets and industrial areas. Field visits were conducted at 3 prominent clusters in the city to assess surrounding land use and transport infrastructure as well as identify main issues affecting access and evacuation of goods vehicles to these important freight generating centres. The main issues identified were outdated zoning and rent control regulations, c...