Optimization of Public Transport Route Accessibility in High Congestion Areas Using Arc GIS: A Case Study of Rawalpindi City

Due to increasing urbanization and environmental concerns, there is a growing need to enhance and optimize public transportation systems to make them more accessible, efficient, and sustainable. The aim of this study is to improve the public transportation network by optimization of the routes in high congested areas of Rawalpindi city. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have emerged as a powerful tool for achieving such goal. The integration process involves collecting and analyzing geospatial data, including route information, passenger demographics, and real-time traffic conditions, to optimize transit routes. By incorporating real-time traffic data into the GIS model, the analysis provided insights into congestion configurations and prospective solutions. GIS-based maps presented performance metrics such as reduced travel times, enhanced accessibility scores, and better public transport usage. These metrics were critical for validating the proposed solutions and ensuring their feasibility for implementation. GIS-based route optimization study also proposed BRT systems in our study area (Rawalpindi) to create efficient, timesaving, and passenger-centric public transport options. To maximize its impact, cities need to encourage people to switch from cars to BRT. The success of a GIS-based optimization transportation system requires close collaboration between the public and private sectors.