https://dr.ur.ac.rw/handle/123456789/35 Research works by PhD students of the College of Science and Technology 2026-04-23T19:31:45Z https://dr.ur.ac.rw/handle/123456789/2851 An investigation into the quality performance of road projects in Kigali, Rwanda UWINTWALI, Jean de Montfort This study “an investigation into the quality performance of road projects in Kigali, Rwanda” focused on determining the factors influencing road quality, examining critical criteria for road quality performance measurement, and recommending effective strategies for improving road project quality. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative data from structured questionnaires with qualitative insights from field observations, interviews, and document reviews. The study involved 94 respondents, including engineers, contractors, consultants, project managers, and road users, and covered four strategically selected road projects across Kigali’s districts. Regarding findings the study has revealed that there was a strong consensus among Project Managers, Road Engineers/Contractors/Consultants, and Government officials in Kigali regarding both the factors influencing road quality performance and the critical criteria for its measurement, as well as effective improvement strategies. Across all project phases (initiation, procurement, execution, monitoring, closure), factors such as project design quality, contractor qualification and experience, skilled labor, compliance with specifications, and regulatory enforcement were consistently rated as highly influential. Similarly, road geometry, pavement integrity, drainage, and smoothness were universally prioritized as key measurement criteria. For improvement strategies, use qualified and skilled contractors, comply with design specifications and standards, use certified materials, and strengthen project planning and design were top-ranked. Crucially, ANOVA results consistently showed no statistically significant differences in perception among the professional groups for nearly all factors, criteria, and strategies (all p-values ≥ 0.05). This indicates a remarkable, shared understanding and alignment among stakeholders on road quality aspects in Kigali, providing a solid foundation for collaborative initiatives. Minor, nonsignificant variations in mean scores suggest subtle differences in emphasis, but overall agreement is high. Master's Dissertation 2025-07-01T00:00:00Z https://dr.ur.ac.rw/handle/123456789/2849 Assessing commuters’ perception of bus service quality along main bus corridors in Kigali city, Rwanda NIYIGENA, Ernest Urban public transport is crucial for mobility and economic development especially in rapid growing Cities like Kigali, Rwanda, where the effort of modernizing the public transport by bus have been made. However, to align this development with the commuter satisfaction has remained not understood as it would be. This thesis assesses the commuter perceptions of Kigali bus service quality along Kigali’s main corridors by employing a multi-disciplinary approach that combines participatory data collection with statistical analysis. The data of this study were collected through structured questionnaires from 387 commuters across Kigali City, these questionnaires have the socio-demographic, travel pattern information and their satisfaction levels on bus service quality on different factors that influence the bus service quality. after collecting those data, the Two stepcluster analysis was employed to have distinct clusters based on their travel behavior factors, a methodological approach that allows for more targeted service interventions. The two clusters were identified: Cluster one and Cluster two, the commuters of cluster one are called The Long Haul frequent and those of the cluster two are time efficient occasional commuters due to their difference in critical factors such as average waiting and average traveling time, and also their frequency of commuting with bus on a weekly basis. After the identification of two distinct group, an Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) was employed to reveal the specific bus service quality for each commuter’s cluster in Kigali City; while both groups prioritize operational efficiency, their satisfaction levels diverge. After analysis, it was found that for The Long-Haul frequent commuters, shelter quality including seating at bus stop, access to information, luggage accommodation and air cooling are most needed as they show the high importance, but their satisfaction is poor, there is a need of improvement for those bus service quality attributes. Addressing these deficiencies should be a priority as they are highly valued by this group of commuters but are currently underperforming. In contrast, the cluster two commuters valued more the bus service reliability, bus frequency, bus stop infrastructure, access to information, bus accessibility and onboard experience, especially bus entering and access to bus of people with disability in wheel chair, vi | P a g e luggage assistance and accommodation, air cooling, and route alignment with commuter destination, but their satisfaction is poor, thus these should be improved to meet the satisfaction level of Kigali City commuters. This research bridges a methodological gap by combining a two-cluster analysis with Importance-Performance Analysis to provide a nuanced, commuter centered framework. The findings offer an evidence-based model for Kigali City and other African cities to develop more inclusive, data driven, and user oriented public transport systems. Master's Dissertation 2025-07-25T00:00:00Z https://dr.ur.ac.rw/handle/123456789/2842 “Optimal configuration of solar PV and biomass-based hybrid system with battery storage for electrification of rural healthcare facilities in Rwanda”. (Case study: Ntarama health center) TUYIRAMYE, David Reliable electricity access is essential for rural development for enhanced healthcare, education, and economic growth. Expanding the Rwanda national grid is costly and difficult mainly due to geographical location, old network, fund constraints, and even regions with electricity face reliability issues. That is the main reason for this study “Optimal configuration of solar PV and biomass-based hybrid power system with battery storage” aims to extract the local renewable energy resources that remain underutilized at Ntarama Health Center, and to ensure its cost-effective energy production. The current load profile of Ntarama H.C is 108.540 kWh/day, the time series energy consumption profile results in an annual growth rate of 11.3%, and the forecasted load within five years to accommodate future demand was found to be 185.38 kWh/day. Ntarama health center is located at W27P+CF8, Ntarama, Bugesera, Rwanda (2°5.2'S, 30°2.2'E), with annual averaged solar radiation and biomass potential of 5.04 kWh/m2/day and 0.74 ton/day respectively. HOMER Pro is used to carry out optimization, simulation, and sensitivity analysis, considering electrical load, climate data, and economic factors whereby maximum daily consumption is 185.38 kWh, and a peak load demand becomes 22.93 kW with a load factor of 0.34. HOMER Pro provided optimal configuration basing on low total net present cost. The Simulation revealed the optimal configuration which consists of 50kW photovoltaic array with 88.9% energy contribution, 21 kW biogas generator with 11.1% energy contribution, two strings of 67 batteries each with 451.75 kWh, and 30 kW system converter with HOMER Cycle Charging dispatch strategy. The total Net Present Cost (NPC) is $170,587.90, whereas the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) is $0.194. The system meets all load demands, without capacity shortage with only an annual electricity surplus of approximately 2,795 kWh (3.37 %) with an annual saving of 446,582.4 Rwf over the national grid, and the initial investment will be recovered within 7.10 years. Masters 2025-03-10T00:00:00Z https://dr.ur.ac.rw/handle/123456789/2841 Comparative study of design-bid-build and design-build-maintain contracts delivery methods for highway projects in Rwanda KWIZERA, Fabrice This thesis examines the performance of two contract delivery methods—Design-Bid-Build (DBB) and Design-Build-Maintain (DBM) within Rwanda’s highway construction sector. The research places special emphasis on the DBM model when applied using Output and PerformanceBased Road Contracts (OPRC). Given the persistent issues of cost overruns, schedule delays, and inadequate long-term performance in Rwanda’s road projects, the study seeks to understand how contract delivery methods influence these outcomes. A mixed-methods approach was used, including surveys, interviews with professionals from government agencies and consulting firms, and case studies of completed highway projects. The research focuses on six key performance indicators: cost control, time management, construction quality, lifecycle performance, maintenance outcomes, and stakeholder satisfaction. Findings consistently show that the DBM approach, especially when combined with OPRC, outperforms the traditional DBB method across all indicators. DBM projects demonstrated more predictable costs, faster completion timelines, superior construction quality, and improved maintenance performance. This is attributed to the DBM model’s integrated structure, where the contractor is responsible for design, construction, and long-term maintenance,encouraging accountability and efficient resource management. In contrast, DBB projects showed higher vulnerability to cost overruns, design changes, and fragmented responsibilities, resulting in diminished performance and stakeholder dissatisfaction. The study also found that DBM projects, through their built-in performance monitoring and aligned incentives, foster higher stakeholder confidence and satisfaction. Although DBM may involve more complex planning and procurement, it provides better long-term value through reduced lifecycle costs. The thesis concludes that for Rwanda’s infrastructure goals, centered on efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness the DBM approach, especially when implemented through OPRC, is more suitable and should be prioritized in future highway projects. Masters 2025-07-01T00:00:00Z