A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF RAIL TRANSIT LINES IN EASTERN BANGKOK

Abstract

Since rail transit development is a mega project which normally requires an astronomical investment, it is imperative for decision-makers to
choose the transit lines which are really worth the investment and yield the most benefits to the city. This research is a comparative study of 2 rail transit
lines, i.e., the Orange Line which would serve developed areas where travel demands are presently high, and the Red Line which would serve lessdeveloped areas where additional development could potentially be thereby induced. The study was divided into 3 phases: 1) forecasting the changes in residential and non-residential building areas as induced by the transit lines, and estimating future population and employment; 2) forecasting the ridership on each transit line; and 3) assessing future economic benefits of the two transit lines. It was found that the Red Line, which would bring about more development, would be a better investment.