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Ride-hailing services play an important role in developing countries where conventional transport systems are not enough to meet the needs of commuters because of increased populations. This form of transport has gained much popularity in developing regions because of the inclusion of motorcycles and rikshaws in ride-hailing services. To the best of the authors' knowledge, there has been little research on passengers' behavior towards these ride-hailing services that focuses on social protection and the fare system in developing regions. Therefore, this research study is aimed at investigating the behavior of commuters towards these ride-hailing services in Lahore, which is the second largest city in Pakistan and can be considered as a case study of a developing country. A total of 531 useable valid responses were collected through face-to-face interactions, including the sociodemographics (SEDs) and behavior of commuters towards these services. The results of an explanatory factor analysis (EFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that some of the significant latent variables of these ride-hailing services are comfort, convenience, privacy and security, the fare system, social protection, and safety. The commuters' overall evaluation of these services is positive and affects their present and future preferences. The structural coefficient between convenience and the variable of present preference is significant and negative, which shows that there are respondents who infrequently use ride-hailing services despite having high satisfaction. The riders' satisfaction with privacy, security, social protection, safety, and comfort has a positive and direct impact on their present preferences as the structural estimates are positive, which means that the higher their views on privacy, security, and comfort, the more frequently they intend to use ride-hailing services for commuting. Increased social protection, safety, privacy, and security will improve the evaluations of the commuters and influence their present preferences for these ride-hailing services. Even though there are regulations on these ride-hailing services, some concrete policy interventions are needed for improvements in commuters' overall evaluations of these services in order to influence their future preferences. The findings of this research study, if applied in the real world, can improve the overall evaluation of the commuters and positively influence their present and future preferences for these ride-hailing services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Distractions caused by fellow drivers (DFDs) have received little attention. • Associations between DFDs and other latent factors were evaluated using SEM. • DFDs are positively associated with stress among recipient drivers. • Stress is positively associated with anxiety-based performance deficits. • DFDs and stress are positively associated with crash propensity. Introduction: Aggressive behavior of drivers is a source of crashes and high injury severity. Aggressive drivers are part of the driving environment, however, excessive aggressive driving by fellow drivers may take the attention of the recipient drivers away from the road resulting in distracted driving. Such external distractions caused by the aggressive and discourteous behavior of other road users have received limited attention. These distractions caused by fellow drivers (DFDs) may agitate recipient drivers and ultimately increase crash propensity. Aggressive driving behaviors are quite common in South Asia and, thus, it is necessary to determine their contribution to distractions and crash propensity. Method: Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of DFDs using primary data collected through a survey conducted in Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 801 complete responses were obtained. Various hypotheses were defined to explore the associations between the latent factors such as DFDs, anxiety/stress (AS), anxiety-based performance deficits (APD), hostile behavior (HB), acceptability of vehicle-related distractions (AVRD), and crash propensity (CP). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed as a multivariate statistical technique to test these hypotheses. Results: The results supported the hypothesis that DFDs lead to AS among recipient drivers. DFDs and AS were further found to have positive associations with APDs. Whereas, there was a significant negative association between DFD, AS, and AVRD. As hypothesized, DFD and AS had positive associations with CP, indicating that distractions caused by aggressive behaviors leads to stress and consequently enhances crash propensity. Practical applications: The results of this study provide a statistically sound foundation for further exploration of the distractions caused by the aggressive behaviors of fellow drivers. Further, the results of this study can be utilized by the relevant authorities to alter aggressive driving behaviors and reduce DFDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the intercity bus terminals in metropolitan Lahore, Pakistan. In this regard eleven intercity bus terminals of Lahore (three government-owned & eight privately owned) were selected. Evaluation of performance indicators (PIs) for a sustainable design of intercity bus terminals was conducted with the help of different surveys. Six PIs on user perception were evaluated, i.e., safety and security, access, information, connection and reliability, environment and allied facilities. The bus terminals and PIs were also ranked according to user satisfaction. The results showed that the privately owned intercity bus terminals perform better and are more likely to be sustainable as compared with government-owned terminals. Likewise, the users indicated more satisfaction with the privately owned terminals. In addition, the users rated 'safety and security' as the most important among the six PIs. It is recommended to establish standards for sustainable design of intercity bus terminals using the six PIs as measures of performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid increase in private vehicle ownership and usage results in traffic congestions on road networks and increases social costs. Reducing traffic congestions by introducing demand management strategies should be part of transportation policies in the developing world. Therefore, this paper aims to evaluate the influence of people’s attitudes and lifestyles on intentions to reduce use of private vehicles. A questionnaire was designed which included respondents’ socio-economic characteristics, statements on attitudes, lifestyles and intentions to reduce the use of private vehicles. This questionnaire survey was conducted in Lahore city with the help of university students and a total of 338 usable samples were obtained. Structural equation modeling technique was used to analyze the data. The analysis results revealed that people’s transit-oriented attitudes, status and auto consciousness are underlying factors for the reduction of car use in Lahore city. These significant variables need to be considered in policy making regarding improvement of public transport and implementation of car use reduction policies in Lahore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high use of gasoline and diesel vehicles results in environmental pollution and loss of natural resources. The use of electric vehicles can be socially beneficial and reduce air pollution. In this research study, the main aims are to identify the potential of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Pakistan using a Stated Preferences (SP) survey. An SP questionnaire was designed using the theoretical framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). This questionnaire consisted of travelers' personal and travel characteristics and various statements designed to address the variables of TPB such as Attitudes Towards the Electric Vehicles, Subjective Norms (SN), Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC), and Behavioral Intentions (BI). The behavior items were designed in the context of travelers' willingness to buy and use EVs. Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFAs) were conducted to validate the designed hypotheses related to the variables of TPB. The cross-analysis revealed that there are variations in responses across different occupations, trip distances, travel modes, and vehicle ownership. The developed structural models showed that the Attitudes and PBC have a positive influence on BI and PBC, which also have a direct impact on travelers' willingness to use EV. The SN, PBC, and Attitudes are significant predictors of behavioral intentions in the willingness to buy EV and PBC is not a direct predictor of travelers' willingness to buy an EV. The BI acts as a mediator to explain the indirect effects of Attitudes, SN, and PBC on willingness to purchase and use an EV. In the end, a framework is also proposed for the behavior-related interventions to promote the EVs considering the socio-economic context of Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Speeding is one of the risky behaviors which results in accident involvement causing fatalities and severe injuries. This paper aimed to identify the significant socio-economic characteristics of drivers concerning their speeding behavior and crash involvement. A questionnaire was designed consisting of driver's demographic features, involvement in an accident, penalty on speed violations, and statements on speeding behavior in terms of exceeding the speed limits by 10 km/h or more on roads with different speed limits of 60, 80, 100, and 120 km/h per standard operating speeds on various road types in Pakistan. This survey was conducted in Lahore city and a total of 551 usable samples were obtained. A latent variable of drivers' speeding behavior was introduced; factor loadings were estimated, and an observed variable of drivers' crash experience was defined as the drivers' crash involvement. Ordered regression analysis using the probit function was conducted on speeding behavior and crash involvement. The ordinal analysis revealed that the drivers' age, gender, marital status, employment, vehicle engine size, type of vehicle they drive, and driving frequency per day are good predictors of speeding behavior. Similarly, male drivers' age, vehicle engine size, and type of vehicle they drive were significant predictors of their likelihood to be involved in an accident. The young, single, and male drivers and drivers of cars with an engine capacity above 1.5 L were more likely to speed and be involved in crashes. These findings provide a clear understanding of a specific group of drivers who have a higher probability of speeding and crash involvement. There is a need to focus on specific demographic factors in the formulation of traffic safety policies and managing speedy drivers' behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]