An integrated fuzzy MCDM model for prioritizing strategies for successful implementation and operation of the bus rapid transit system

Mouhamed Bayane Bouraima; Nyamatari Anselem Tengecha; Željko Stević; Vladimir Simić; Yanjun Qiu

doi:10.1007/s10479-023-05183-y

An integrated fuzzy MCDM model for prioritizing strategies for successful implementation and operation of the bus rapid transit system

Ann Oper Res. 2023 Jan 28:1-32. doi: 10.1007/s10479-023-05183-y. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Mouhamed Bayane Bouraima^{1

2

3}, Nyamatari Anselem Tengecha⁴, Željko Stević⁵, Vladimir Simić⁶, Yanjun Qiu^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ School of Civil Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031 Sichuan China.
² Highway Engineering Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031 Sichuan China.
³ Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), P.O Box 14833-00100, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya.
⁴ Trans Research Africa Limited, P.O. Box 12105, Dare s Salaam, Tanzania.
⁵ Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering, University of East Sarajevo, Doboj, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
⁶ Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 305, 11010 Belgrade, Serbia.

Abstract

The selection and prioritization of suitable strategies to address the challenges to the successful operation and implementation of the bus rapid transit (BRT) system is a common problem faced by practitioners and decision-makers. Recent research has widely discussed the issue, but such assessments have remained limited in the city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania context, where there are mobility difficulties. The present study addresses this research gap and identifies the most critical challenges to BRT implementation and operation, and recommends the most appropriate strategy for overcoming them. Seven strategies are defined. To prioritize these strategies, five criteria are determined. An integrated multi-criteria decision-making model is introduced. Improved Fuzzy Step-Wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis based on the Bonferroni operator was used to determine the importance of the criteria. Measurement of alternatives and ranking according to compromise solution was applied to assess and rank the strategies. The results indicate that "frequent flooding at the Jangwani bridge bus terminal" and "long waiting time at bus stops" are the most critical challenges while the fourth alternative "strengthening the operation and management" is the appropriate strategy to be implemented for successful operation and implementation of the BRT system. After that, a five-phase sensitivity analysis is performed to observe the robustness of the proposed approach. The results indicate the flexibility and applicability of the proposed approach can address real-life problems. The proposed methodology in this work can be instrumental in assisting mass transit operators with the successful implementation and operation of the BRT system.

Keywords: BRT; Dar es Salaam; IMF SWARA; Implementation; MARCOS; Operation.

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