Sex Disparity in Satisfaction and Loyalty Towards Urban Rail Transit: A Survey of Light Rail Transit (LRT) Passengers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The aim of this study is to explore the effect of sex disparity on passenger satisfaction and loyalty to the light rail transit (LRT) services in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A total of 417 responses from a self-administrated questionnaire were analyzed using non-parametric tests, namely Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman’s correlation test. Based on the Mann-Whitney U test, results showed a significant difference between male and female LRT passengers in terms of their satisfaction and loyalty. In addition, the Spearman’s correlation test proved a significant and positive relationship between passengers’ sex, satisfaction and loyalty. Finally, future suggestions were made based on the findings reported in this study

Faktor analisis pendorong dan penghalang kepada kenderaan tidak bermotor di Bangi

Kenderaan tidak bermotor adalah penting bagi menjamin kehidupan dalam persekitaran yang bersih, sihat dan berkualiti tinggi. Hari ini, sistem pengangkutan di bandar-bandar Malaysia sering dikaitkan dengan imej buruk seperti kesesakan, kemalangan dan ketidakcekapan pengangkutan awam sebagai alternatif. Selain itu kesan pembebasan gas karbon ke ruang atmosfera menyumbang kepada pencemaran alam dan menjejaskan aspek kualiti kehidupan secara umumnya. Kajian ini bertujuan mengkaji faktor yang mempengaruhi responden untuk membuat pemilihan kepada penggunaan kenderaan tidak bermotor berdasarkan kepada faktor pendorong dan penghalang. Bagi tujuan ini, faktor analisis dan CFA digunakan untuk menjelaskan situasi penggunaan kenderaan tidak bermotor berdasarkan borang soal selidik dengan 39 item yang dipecahkan kepada empat aspek utama yang menjadi instrumen soal selidik. Seramai 400 responden di Bandar Baru Bangi telah terlibat dalam kajian ini. Hasil kajian menunjukkan kumpulan faktor yang amat mempengaruhi keinginan menggunakan kenderaan tidak bermotor adalah faktor halangan iaitu cuaca dan jarak perjalanan (10.879), keperluan asas yang tidak disediakan (1.945), keadaan laluan (1.589), persekitaran (1.142) dan halangan perundangan (1.044). Manakala faktor kedua yang mempengaruhi mempengaruhi keputusan untuk memilih kepada kenderaan tidak bermotor adalah faktor kesenangan (2.233), galakan (1.401) dan keselamatan (1.002). Manakala factor yang paling rendah mempengaruhi keputusan untuk bertukar kepada penggunaan kenderaaan tidak bermotor ialah faktor sekatan iaitu tiada kemudahan untuk kenderaan tidak bermotor (1.302). Hasil kajian ini memberi implikasi bahawa elemen kesenangan dan kesejahteraan kepada pengguna perlu diberi keutamaan dalam membentuk polisi ke arah penggunaan kenderaan tidak bermotor di Malaysia

Using Structural Equation Modeling and the Behavioral Sciences Theories in Predicting Helmet Use

In Malaysia, according to road accidents data statistics motorcycle users contributes more than 50% of fatalities in traffic accidents, and the major cause due to head injuries. One strategy that can be used to reduce the severity of head injuries is by proper usage of helmet. Although the safety helmet is the best protective equipment to prevents head injury, majority motorcycle user did not use or did not fasten properly. In understanding this problem, the behavioral sciences theory and engineering aspect are needed to provide better explanation and comprehensive insights into solutions. The Theory Planned Behavior (TPB) and Health Belief Model (HBM) were used in predicting the behavioral intention toward proper helmet usage among motorcyclist. While, a new intervention approach were used in Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) that based on the perception of a conceptual system called Safety Helmet Reminder System (SHR). Results show that the constructs variables are reliable and statistically significant with the exogenous and endogenous variables. The full structured models were proposed and tested, thus the significant predictors were identified. A multivariate analysis technique, known as Structural Equation Model (SEM) was used in modeling exercise.  Finally, the good-of-fit models were used in interpreting the implication of intervention strategy toward motorcyclist injury prevention program

Why Public Bus is a Less Attractive Mode of Transport: A Case Study of Putrajaya, Malaysia

This paper investigates the constraints that limit the use of public bus by people commuting to work in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Putrajaya was built to replace the city of Kuala Lumpur as the new administrative centre for the government of Malaysia. This research adopted qualitative methods which involved a total of 29 respondents who use car and/or bus to commute to their workplaces. The findings of this study show that several factors, such as reliability, safety, and customer service, play considerable roles in promoting the use of public transportation. The respondents agree that reliability (e.g. frequency, punctuality, and transfer) is an important factor in choosing a particular mode of transport. Safety is one of the major concern amongst the respondents, which need to be improved along with customer satisfaction of the public bus service. The results of this study suggest that a more reliable and accessible service is required to promote public bus as an attractive mode of transport

Rail-based Public Transport Service Quality and User Satisfaction – A Literature Review

While rail-based public transport is clearly a more advanced and preferable alternative to driving and a way of overcoming traffic congestion and pollution problems, the rate of uptake for rail travel has remained stagnant as a result of various well-known issues such as that commuters either use a more reliable and comfortable alternative to get from A to B and/or that they are not satisfied with the quality of service provided. This study examined the factor of user satisfaction regarding rail-based public transport with the aim of discovering precisely what factors have a significant effect on the user satisfaction and uptake of rail travel. This was approached using both the Delphi approach and a thorough review of the current literature, focusing on a total of nine possible factors affecting passenger satisfaction with rail travel availability of service, accessibility of service, ticket or pass, punctuality, clarity of information, quality of customer service, comfort, safety, and image. Also discussed were 29 extra possible attributes and several measures that were implemented in various countries to increase the service quality. It was concluded that this review will provide valuable information for policymakers, researchers and service providers in terms of specifying the service factors most worth investigating if the quality of this crucial means of transport is to be raised.</p

Predicting the Use of Public Transportation: A Case Study from Putrajaya, Malaysia

Putrajaya is a new federal administrative capital of Malaysia which has been set to achieve a 70% share of all travels by public transport in the city area. However, the current modal split between the public transport and private transport is 15 : 85. In order to understand travelers’ willingness to use the public transport, a conceptual model has been developed to determine the factors that affect them to use the public transport instead of travelling in their own cars. Various variables such as service quality, environmental impact, attitude, and behavior intention were analyzed and tested using structural equation model (SEM). Results indicate that the service quality and attitude are found to have positive effects on the behavioral intention of taking the public transport. Other than this, this study also shows that the service quality and environmental impact have some positive influences on the attitude to using the public transport. However, environmental impact has no significant, positive, and direct effect on behavioral intention. The results of this study demonstrate that the model that was developed is useful in predicting the public transport and it could provide a more complete understanding of behavioral intention towards public transport use

PROTOTYPE WEB-BASED EXPERT SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING THE ROAD NETWORK OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Traffic road users encounter numerous problems while travelling on roads. Expected problems can range from mildly disruptive to catastrophic events. When attempting to optimize a road network and alleviate problems, it is vital to select appropriate solutions. This paper defines prototype web-based expert knowledge system improvement that can be utilized to optimize the road network of developing countries. Deciding on appropriate controlling measures is a crucial task because expected problems range from mildly disruptive to catastrophic. Experts can provide solutions to these problems only by using their previous experience. The ultimate task in optimizing road network problems is to select appropriate solutions. Although experts can regulate and resolve these problems by means of their silent knowledge and experience, novice engineers cannot, but expertise transfer from experts to novices is challenging in the traffic road area. Therefore, this body of knowledge needs to be stored in a computer system. Identifying the causes of traffic problems and applying appropriate actions and solutions to these problems could help control or prevent them. Therefore, the web-based expert system for optimizing the road network of developing countries that was developed in this study, Expert System to Control Problems in Traffic (TRSys), is a method concept. Knowledge was provided in the form of rules and coded in software through PHP programming. Web pages supporting the user interface were produced using a framework made up of HTML, CSS and J-Query. TRSys was verified and validated with extensive testing methods. Unit and integrated testing were performed during coding to correct the code and ensure that each unit performs its function and that all units work together correctly and efficientl

The application of theory of planned behaviour in pedestrian safety: a literature approach

Road accidents among pedestrian become an important issue that needs to be mitigated due to high injuries and fatalities cases. Pedestrian is a weakest group of people compared to the drivers because they are not fully protected. The accidents involving pedestrian may occur due to their own negative crossing behaviour. This study is purposely to identify the effectiveness of theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in predicting pedestrian behaviour. TPB has three main constructs which are attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control that significant to behavioural intention. Some studies used extended TPB by adding other constructs such as moral norms, perceived risk, conformity tendency, perceived severity, and past behaviour to predict pedestrian behaviour more accurately. This study used a literature approach where some of the previous studies are examined and the results of the studies are being analysed using descriptive analysis. The results show that TPB is suitable to predict pedestrian behaviour because the constructs are significant and comply with its fit. This study also shows that pedestrian behaviours are differ according to their age and gender. Most of previous studied states that young people tends to perform risky behaviours compared to old people. Children pedestrian are more vulnerable and have a high tendency to involve in road accidents and have a high fatality risk. Men are more risk-taking compared to women and men have high tendency to violate road regulations and exposed to injuries and fatality while women have more positive crossing behaviour

The Interrelationship Between Perceived Quality, Perceived Value and User Satisfaction Towards Behavioral Intention in Public Transportation: A Review of the Evidence

The most critical concern to the public transportation service is the low number of ridership. The lack of enthusiasm to use public transportation is because the passengers were not satisfied with the service provided. Thus, researchers across the globe are focusing on investigating the factors that affect user satisfaction and the consequences of user satisfaction in the public transportation service. However, a review of the evidence across public transportation mode and region has shown a lack of comprehensive investigations. Thus, this paper seeks to bridge the literature gap by reviewing the evidence to justify the relationship between the antecedents of user satisfaction, such as perceived quality and perceived value, and the consequence of user satisfaction, namely complaints and loyalty to the provided service. Based on the literature review, it is concluded that the perceived quality and perceived value have a significant effect on user satisfaction. Also, the satisfied user leads to loyalty to the service and can reduce the number of complaints. This study has established that the root of this relationship is the quality of the service provided. Hence, service providers need to prioritize this factor to ensure user satisfaction, which will increase their loyalty to the offered service. This research will help the service provider ensure the survival of their business and bring benefits to the environments through reduced traffic congestion and pollution