Optimizing Smart Bike-Sharing Station Placement Near Public Transit Stops Using GIS: A Case Study of London, Ontario

This research aims to develop a more effective framework for integrating a smart bike-sharing system with the existing public transit network to improve overall connectivity and operational efficiency. We introduce a framework for identifying the best locations for bike-sharing stations near specific bus stops. We deploy four different methods, prioritizing stops with high traffic and easy access and those on the city's outskirts with long wait times and limited access. Our primary focus was on London, Ontario, due to its significant potential for incorporating an alternative mode of transportation alongside its current bus system. This potential is highlighted by the city's large student population, the lack of bike rack facilities, and the absence of a smart bike-sharing system. By setting a 500-meter spacing buffer between bike stations, the study revealed that using one or two methods for station placement yielded the least effective results regarding station counts and potential user reach. However, combining multiple criteria to account for varied user behaviour and placement priorities markedly improved outcomes, suggesting an ideal network with 306 stations serving approximately 349,478 individuals, or 92.70% of the total accessible population.