Thesis Advisor- Dr. Mohit Dev 

Research Area -Beyond the Four-Stage Model: Strategic Approaches for Public Transport Planning and Bus Route Optimisation  

Thesis Details    

The conventional four-stage transport model has been foundational in public transport planning. However, its reliance on large datasets, complex calibration, and limited responsiveness to rapid socio-economic and policy changes often leads to overestimated demand, as exemplified by the Delhi and Bengaluru Metros operating at 51% and 6% of their projections. As India’s bus fleet is set to nearly triple by 2050, there is a critical need for more adaptive and simplified approaches. Proxy-based or GIS-led demand models using factors like population density and employment hubs can offer cost-effective, evidence-based route planning. Testing these models in diverse city contexts can help optimize fleet deployment and investment decisions.