Author(s)

J. Sapragonas, J. Ilgakojyte-Bazariene & D. Marksaitis

Abstract

The public transport system is an important urban problem in every city. The ecological situation, congestion and modernization of public transport in the center of Kaunas are the main problems. Today the whole public transport system in Kaunas requires radical technical, organizational reformation, renewal of the means of transport, etc. Most public transport routes cross the center of the city. An investigation was performed to identify the priorities and requirements of organizational reorganizations by determining the passenger flows on public transport routes and the demands and attitudes of passengers. An observation method for determining passenger flows and questionnaires for passengers’ demands were applied. A mathematical model was created evaluating the specific mode of public transport – minibuses with the stochastic, undetermined stops differently to other modes of public transport (this mode of public transport is popular in Lithuanian cities due to mobility, frequency, \“stopping anywhere”). The influence of these stops on the traffic flows and environmental characteristics was investigated. Keywords: public transport, traffic flows. 1 Introduction Rapid quantitative changes in the urban transport system in Kaunas have challenged a lot of rising issues in quality of air, transportation, social environment etc. According to data of Lithuanian Road Administration number of cars has increased 57% in Lithuania from 1991. Predominant number of cars is registered in the main cities – Vilnius (20.9%) and Kaunas (13.7%). Public transport system almost haven’t been reorganised during this period.

Keywords

public transport, traffic flows.