Projects | Studio | Awards
B | Spring 2022 | PBSS - Infrastructure (Bicycle and Station)
  • Student PARIDHI KHANDELWAL
  • Code PUM21244
  • Faculty Management
  • Tutor/s Gayatri Doctor,Himadri Panchal,Manish Vadanere,Tithi Kansagra

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Public Bicycle Sharing System (PBSS) is a shared mobility service for the use of the public in a city. It is a network of closely knit bicycles and stations. It is therefore important to understand the necessary specifications of bicycles and stations, that are modular, affordable and serve the users at its best, hence creating a push towards sustainable mobility for the years to come.  

The Public Bicycle Sharing System is a step towards better accessibility and sustainibility. The current system of PBSS in the city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is a Net Cost Contract, while it is recommended to have a government owned and privately operated contract for better functioning of the service.
This slide talks about the various parts of the current bicycle, which has14 main components. But, these are not uniform across all the bicycles. Some also have basket with a solar panel in it, while other have advertisement spaces on the mudguards for co-branding. Currently, the manufacturing, ownership and the operations & maintenance of the bicycle is under the purview of the Service Operator.
This slide explains the RATER Analysis, shown through a spider-web. It was derived through the Servqual tool, wherein 5 elements of the PBSS were surveyed throughout the city of Ahmedabad. It has been found that the tangibles, which include the bicycle, bicycle station and the mobile application have a low satisfaction rate among the users. Hence, another survey specific to bicycle parts was conducted. And, bicycle locks, frame, seat and brakes have been found to have the highest number of issues across the stretches.
Secondary Research on different PBSS around the World have been studied to understand the various bicycles and bicycle parts used. It has been found that Smoove in Annamese, France has the most number of bicycle parts that even includes a smartphone holder. These are the best practices across the world as they the biggest and the most used Public Bicycle Sharing Systems.
The various case studies include the biggest and most successful PBSS. Bicycle specifications are studied from each of them, to further recommend the parts for a customised bicycle model.
The costing of the bicycle is calculated to be Rupees 11,508. The costing is derived on the basis of multiple researches. A list of technological interventions need to be added for the final product cost. A light-weight (aluminium preferred) step-through (open) framed bicycle is recommended for the use in the PBSS.
The existing bicycle station has six major elements. Although it is modular and scalable in design, it's elements are not uniform across the stretches.
According to the ITDP guidelines for PBSS, there are certain set of information that are not present in the existing station design.
The ITDP guidelines, MoHUA Document and Multiple Case Study inferences lead to the development of a list of optional and mandatory station guidelines that are recommended.
These are the elements an ideal PBSS Station must incorporate. Further, the cost of the station is calculated to be Rupees 11,201, in which the technological interventions of the station must be added to get the final cost. It is concluded that the station as well as the bicycle must be procured by the SPV and the checklist of specifications must be monitored by the Project Management and Development Consultant.