A Study on Students’ Travel Behavior in Perspectives of School Bus Service
Nasim Khan1, Saurav Barua2, Anik Das3
1Md. Nasim Khan, Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Information Technology and Sciences (UITS), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
2Saurav Barua, Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Information Technology and Sciences (UITS), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
3Anik Das, Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Information Technology and Sciences (UITS), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Manuscript received on July 04, 2015. | Revised Manuscript received on July 09, 2015. | Manuscript published on July 31, 2015. | PP: 5-10 | Volume-2 Issue-8, July 2015. | Retrieval Number: H0320072815
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© The Authors. Published By: Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Abstract: Many areas within Dhaka city have been experiencing the rapid development of private schools over the past twenty years. Dhanmondi is one of them. The roadways near the schools consistently get congested during peak hour. School-related traffic congestion poses to the safety of the students, teachers, parents, residents, and motorists in and around school locations is a significant problem in Dhaka. The main purpose of this research work is to provide valuable information regarding traffic congestion and safety around schools in Dhanmondi area. This study is mainly based on questionnaire survey. Ten schools were selected and three hundred students were interviewed based on random sampling. Students were provided with close ended questionnaire and analysis was performed based on their feedback. Analyzed data show that various reasons contribute to traffic congestion near schools during peak period. Among these reasons, use of private car is one of the main reasons of congestion near the schools of Dhanmondi area. Significant portion of student thinks school buses are too crowded, school buses are not safe enough and bus do not arrive or leave in time. Car users can be attracted to the school buses by providing proper service and safety. Along with door-to-door peak up and least travel time; majority of student also suggested for air condition and GPS tracking in school bus. Most of the students have residence along some particular routes. If bus routes are introduced equipped with necessary facilities and services according to the demand of the students, then it will attract a large amount of students to use this service which will ultimately reduce congestion near the schools during peak period.
Keywords: Congestion, questionnaire survey, School bus, traffic.