Developing and Prioritizing Strategies of Bus Service Development in Metropolis of Ahvaz

The rapid growth of metropolises in the world and the increase in their population have engendered a lot of problems such as traffic challenges and disruptions in the urban transportation system. Therefore, the mentioned problems have been basic challenges facing urban planning in late 20th century which have had negative influences on achieving aims of urban sustainable development. The rapid increase in the number of motorized means of transportation, especially automobiles as well as high use of them in cities of Iran and particularly in Metropolis of Ahvaz with the population growth and its unbridled expansion, increasing immigrations and the lack of scientific and comprehensive planning, frequent problems in the public transportation have caused problems such as severe environmental pollutions, high and boring congestion of traffic, citizens’ waste of time, energy overconsumption, unsafety of paths and accidents, etc. have made lives in this city difficult and reduced welfare and convenience in it. Accordingly, the present study aims to identify and prioritize strategies bus service development in Ahvaz Metropolis. The main approach of the study is developmental-applied, the research method consists of descriptive, analytical, and survey research techniques. According to the model of SWOT situation analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), identification and evaluation of the status quo was conducted and after that, with regard to the identified criteria, the four strategies were developed. Finally, using multivariate decision making technique of FDEMATEL, strategies were prioritized. The results of the study indicate that strategies (1) the necessities and commitments of the government to provide required funding in line with the law of development of public transit and fuel consumption management; (2) providing required grounds for facilitating the implementation of integrated urban management; (3) defining Income-generating projects aimed at empowering organizations to increase revenue and create alternative income sources and methods in the municipality rather than increasing sales density, etc.; (4) practicing management of integrated transport and traffic (management of urban travel, management of parking management fleet and public transportation network, managing the culture of traffic management in urban planning, management of emergencies, network management and traffic management on standardization, installation and maintenance of traffic ; automated traffic management, traffic engineering management, management of R & D); (5)understanding the interaction of transportation with various aspects of society (economic, social and environmental) and the balance between these aspects in order to achieve sustainable transport; and (6) development of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are respectively the most prioritized strategies in planning and development of Bus Transit Development in Metropolis of Ahvaz