An Investigation of the Spatial Distribution and Location Analysis of Public Bus Terminals of Shiraz using Analytic Network Process (ANP)

Rational planning is required for true utilization of urban land، as a valuable and asset. Unsuitable location choice of urban activities leads to having negative consequences، including environmental، social and economical impacts appeared. The provision of transportation facilities is a crucial issue for government، developers and people. A right location choice of these facilities is important to having a viable economy and community. Therefore، the location choice of public bus terminals is a significant topic for urban transport research. This paper attempts to investigate the current distribution of bus terminal throughout metropolitan shiraz then using ANP method، the most appropriate locations for bus terminal will be selected. A review of early research efforts taken on location choice shows that lateral impacts e. g environmental، social and economical were mostly absent، rather quantitaive rigid methods were applied. Nowadays multicriteria approaches such as Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM)، using both qualitative and quantitative criteria، are being employed to choose bus terminal location. In this research، Analytic Network Process approach was employed in order to choose the best location for bus terminals in shiraz metropolitan area. The Analytic Network Process (ANP) is a generalization of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The basic structure is an influence network of clusters and nodes contained within the clusters. After a survey on existing terminal’s location and vacant land in shiraz، five lots have been chosen as alternatives for terminals. To use ANP model، three criteria and five sub-criteria are considered to form network model. According to comparative matrix، interdependences between criteria and sub-criteria and also between alternatives have been discovered. According to Eij matrix (comparative matrix between alternatives and criteria)، the relative score of each alternative has been computed. At next stage، by constituting super matrix، final score of each sub-criteria is determined. According to this matrix، proximity to residential sites (0. /33) was chosen as the most effective criteria to locate bus terminal. The outcome of the model showed that site A، located on Amirkabir. Blvd، was the most appropriate site to locate bus terminal with 0. 3465 score. Determining appropriate location for bus terminal establishment is a complicated process since its elements all have impacts on each other. This process can be facilitated by taking methods of practical researches in geography and planning. This research first selected the most influential factors to choose a location for bus terminal. To choose the most appropriate site to locate bus terminals، ANP process was employed. Then ANP model was applied to compare the alternative sites and choose the most appropriate one. 5. Suggestions This study can be improved by considering a lager set of variables and criteria. Also، taking different impacts of bus terminals e. g environmental، social and economical aspect could help achieving more precise results.