Design of pick-up locations in the crowded road sections

The effective management of urban transport is contingent upon a profound comprehension of the dynamic nature of traffic patterns, alongside the implementation of strategies that are bespoke to the circumstances in question. The growth of urban areas and the increased mobility of individuals have resulted in significant increases in traffic demand, frequently leading to congestion within constrained infrastructure. Cram school districts are particularly susceptible to congestion due to the considerable influx of students and parents, which serves to exacerbate existing traffic issues. The efficacy of traditional methods, such as road expansion, improved public transport, and stricter parking enforcement, in addressing the core causes of congestion has been limited. The objective of this study is to mitigate congestion by identifying optimal pick-up and drop-off (PUDO) zones using the Maximal Covering Location Problem methodology, which considers both pedestrian mobility and network nodes. A social cost analysis of parking facilities and PUDO zones revealed that the latter could reduce social costs by up to 172.3 million KRW. This research is therefore anticipated to alleviate congestion, reduce social costs, and enhance transportation efficiency in cram school districts. The findings may also be applicable to other areas with high demand, thereby offering broader benefits.