Bus route mapping and evaluation using GIS- A case study of Goodwill Group of Schools, Obaagun, Osun State, Nigeria

This study deals with transportation inefficiencies in a rural school by applying a Geographic Information System (GIS) to examine the bus network of Goodwill Group of Schools in Obaagun, Nigeria. Primary data, comprising route coordinates based on GPS, together with feedback on student satisfaction, were gathered with a view to creating a geodatabase. The methodology involved spatial analysis techniques, specifically Nearest Neighbor Analysis (NNA) to assess bus stop distribution and a weighted overlay suitability analysis to identify optimal locations for new stops. Results revealed significant operational challenges, including persistent late arrivals (failing to meet the 7:45 am schedule) and bus overcrowding. The NNA confirmed that in the spatial arrangement of existing stops, a clustered pattern exists contributing to inefficiency in the routes. Accordingly, based on the suitability analysis, 15 new bus stops were proposed for an optimized network. Student feedback collected through the survey (dissatisfaction being 35.8%) pointed at key deterrents such as bus conditions and stop locations. The study concluded that a GIS-based approach is, in essence, a data-driven framework for the enhancement of school transport logistics, hence improving service delivery, punctuality of students, and academic success as a whole.