A sustainable transportation system is safe,
affordable and accessible. It connects different modes of
transportation in order to achieve efficient movement. A
sustainable transport system is one that is economical and
friendly to the environment. All trips in private and public
transport begin and end with walking. Non-Motorized
Transport (NMT) plays a key role in completion of any
journey from origin to destination. However, this mode of
transport is not used optimally to enhance sustainable
transport, especially where public transport is concerned. The
main objective of the research was to evaluate an optimal
combination of transport modes for trips made by BMW
employees residing in Ga-Rankuwa north of Pretoria, in order
to reduce cost of transport. The travel behaviour of BMW
employees was investigated by first studying secondary data on
the Municipal Household Survey (MHS) and Integrated
Transport Plan (ITP) of Tshwane City. The secondary data
was supplemented with primary data which was sourced by
interviewing the BMW’s human resources department and
conducting trip studies between Rosslyn and Ga-Rankuwa.
The trip pattern of workers of BMW was evaluated to know
the origin-destination, journey period and transportation cost
of the trips. The movement patterns of the BMW workers were
grouped into four categories. The patterns were subjected to
optimization using linear programming which included the
subsisting movement pattern. The trip patterns developed were
based on relevant literature. The BMW workers’ movement
from home to work was optimized. Their movement to work
constituted a transportation challenge or problem; and was
solved using simplex technique, a linear programming
approach. The model was subjected to a sensitivity analysis
and the results were analysed. It was found that the most
patronized transportation mode for the trips between Rosslyn
and Ga-Rankuwa was taxi. It was further discovered that
BMW workers expended R18.47 averagely on movement from
home to work through taxis. The recognition of cycling, a
means of movement within short distances, allows for
additional trip patterns as available options for commuters.
The integration of cycling as a feeder system to trains resulted
in 36% trip cost reduction for the commuters. The research
revealed that while less than 45% of the employees may
continue to use the present scenario, more than 55% of the
employees may use a combination of cycling and trains. The
study suggested that similar work should be done to cover
other economic and important routes in order to encourage the
use of cycling as a link to other transportation modes in other
industrial areas of the City of Tshwane
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