Design of an Integrated Android Mobile Application and Web-Based System (IAMAWBS) as a Solution to Concerns of Passengers Using Bus Rapid Transit System for Public Transportation in Dar Es Salaam

Abstract

The rapid population growth in Dar Es Salaam has prompted the demand of effective transport system in the city. This tremendous rise of population led to serious road traffic congestions, which brings a number of challenges into the city and other growing urban areas. City authorities attempted various solutions to control the traffic congestions such as construction of new roads, expansion of existing roads, installation of traffic lights and other transportation infrastructures such as reestablishment of commuter train to operate within the city but they couldn’t effectively relieve the problem. Eventually, the Government of Tanzania (GoT) supported the city’s effort by establishing the organ called Dar Es Salaam Rapid Transit (DART) to supervise the implementation and operation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. The BRT system provided direct benefits to passengers such as minimal travel time, improved reliability as compared to other public transport commonly known as daladala, and reduced accident as BRT buses travel in their dedicated lanes. Despite these benefits there still persist transportation challenges with the BRT, where passengers still suffer from waiting on very long queue during ticket booking, shortage of smart cards, they are unable to check balance direct from their mobile phones, as well as they fail to top-up onto their card’s balance using their smart phones. This paper presents a software technology approach that would help passengers to check balance, send request specifying station to board a bus and check the bus arrival time at any station.