An economic feasibility study of sustainable public bus network for Tripoli, Lebanon

Abstract

It has been observed that traffic congestion is a major problem that continues to worsen, costing the Lebanese economy {dollar}200 million annually. In addition to that, a total cost of morbidity and mortality from air pollution is estimated to amount to {dollar}150 millions per year. Thus, sustainable public transportation alternative is a must in modern cities. Sustainability means the equilibrium and common interest of environmental, economic and social benefits. Tripoli, the largest city after Beirut, faces the congestion, pollution, and resource insufficiency problems. This project examines the concept and implementation of a sustainable transit public infrastructure bus route selection model in Tripoli based on an economic feasibility study. The bus network is developed taking into account five different criteria: (i) users, (ii) terminal station, (iii) routes, (iv) bus stops/shelters and (v) buses. Eight routes are proposed. The economic feasibility study uses the Benefit to Cost (B/C) ratio in order to indicate whether the proposed eight routes are feasible or not. The benefits and costs are estimated for each route for a project life cycle of 15 years, and a discount rate of 7%. Results show that all individual routes are accepted as well as the overall project. This research is relevant to project managers, researchers and to the Lebanese government since it promises to develop a sustainable infrastructure for public transportation routes.