Public defence, spatial planning and transportation engineering, MSc Muhammad Atiullah Saif

Title of the thesis: The reality check for urban demand responsive transport: Framework development and insights from empirical case studies

Thesis defender: Muhammad Atiullah Saif
Opponent: Associate Professor Dilum Dissanayake, University of Birmingham, UK
Custos: Associate Professor Milos Mladenovic, Aalto University School of Engineering, Department of Built Environment

Can on-demand transport become a lasting part of public transport?

Demand-responsive transport (DRT) provides flexible, on-demand journeys instead of operating only on fixed routes and timetables. Digital technologies have made these services increasingly possible in cities, but many DRT services still struggle to become a permanent part of the transport system.

This doctoral research investigated **when and where demand-responsive transport can work, how it can complement existing public transport, and how its performance can be improved over time**. The study developed an integrated framework that examines DRT from three connected perspectives: long-term strategic conditions, planning and deployment decisions, and day-to-day service operations. The framework was tested through empirical case studies in Estonia, Budapest and the Helsinki region.

The results show that the success of DRT depends on much more than technology or good operational performance. Local mobility needs, public transport provision, policy and governance, stakeholder cooperation and the wider transport system all influence whether a service can succeed in the long term.

The research also shows that DRT has particular potential in areas where conventional public transport provides weaker service. The Budapest case demonstrated that peripheral and lower-density areas tend to have larger gaps in public transport provision, creating opportunities for DRT to complement the existing network.

The operational case study in Espoo further showed that changes to the service can have a substantial effect on how people use it. Expanding the service area increased demand, while changes in fares had a more limited effect. Trips were also concentrated around public transport hubs, supporting the role of DRT as a complement to conventional public transport rather than as a separate competing service.

The main contribution of the research is a practical way of looking at DRT as part of the **whole urban mobility ecosystem** rather than as an isolated transport service. The framework can help cities, transport authorities, planners and operators assess whether DRT is suitable for a particular context, identify where it could provide the greatest benefit, and continuously improve the service using operational data.

The findings suggest that making DRT a lasting part of sustainable urban mobility requires coordinated planning across different levels. Successful services need not only efficient operations but also integration with public transport, supportive policies, cooperation between stakeholders and continuous adaptation based on real-world evidence. 

Key words: Public Transport, Mobility, On-Demand Transport, Urban Transportation, Demand-Responsive Service, Emerging Mobility Technologies, Flexible Microtransit, Espoo

Thesis available for public display 7 days prior to the defence at Aalto University's public display page. 

Contact information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atiullahsaif/; atiullahsaif2@gmail.com