Identifying key elements for user satisfaction of bike-sharing systems: a combination of direct and indirect evaluations

Abstract

Bike-sharing systems (BSS) are gaining popularity in cities worldwide, as a part of a generalized strategy to mitigate the problems derived from motorized transportation (congestion, pollution, noise, etc.). These systems have proved to have positive effects on cities, moreover, many of them have reached a performance peak and require improvements to attract/retain users and compete against emerging soft mobility alternatives. Whilst there are broad studies evaluating BSS demand and design, less attention has been paid to user satisfaction and the complexities underlying the relationships between the system attributes importance. This study proposes a novel combination of two methodologies for satisfaction assessment that allows decision-makers to identify the most influential system attributes on user satisfaction. The combined methods are the direct, explicit, Importance Performance Analysis (IPA), and the nonlinear, implicit Three-Factor Theory (3FT), which combined generate a three-dimensional scheme that facilitates the comprehension of the results. The combination was applied to a dataset of Madrid´s BSS to identify the attributes that perform poorly, and then assess their implicit influence on satisfaction to establish improvement priorities. The results suggest that station occupancy and bicycle availability and totem functioning are key service attributes to enhance satisfaction. Also, the combination of the two methodologies makes it possible to differentiate that maintenance is a priority for subscribers and network extension for occasional users. The pedelec system is a key attribute that might help overcome Madrid´s unfavorable cycling environment. This user-centric evaluation is a valuable tool that guides precise measure implementation, service operation, future design, and planning oriented to increase ridership.

Research on narrative design of handicraft intangible cultural heritage creative products based on AHP-TOPSIS method

“…Currently, there are many research methods for extracting cultural elements in the design of cultural product, such as through extension theory [ 12 ], user satisfaction [ 13 ], Kansei engineering [ 14 ], semantic analysis [ 15 ], context story construction [ 16 ], entropy weight method [ 17 ], and physiological and psychological measurements [ 18 ]. These methods deduce the relationship between culture and products, applying explicit and implicit cultural elements with high cultural connotations to products.…”

Fostering Urban Walking: Strategies Focused on Pedestrian Satisfaction

“…This study is based on the hypothesis that the user's willingness to walk is directly related to satisfaction with the street environment, since the greater the satisfaction, the greater the probability that the user will make his trips on foot within that street environment. This hypothesis has recently been explored in the field of transport, in particular to evaluate users' willingness to use public transport [26,27] or bike sharing services [24].…”

“…Recent studies show that using direct and indirect measures of the same value together leads to more accurate interpretations of the value itself [30]. This approach has recently been used in the field of transportation [24,[31][32][33], but never to classify typical pedestrian infrastructure factors.…”

“…An effective approach to increase the number of trips made on foot in an urban area is to improve users' overall satisfaction with the pedestrian infrastructure. The link be-tween the quality of the street environment and pedestrian satisfaction is widely recognized as a crucial factor for the success of sustainable mobility policies [24]. The hierarchical model of walking needs, proposed by Ref.…”