College of Science and Technology

Evaluation of commuters’ perception of electric bus adoption in Kigali city”

2026-04-14T20:42:15Z

Evaluation of commuters’ perception of electric bus adoption in Kigali city” NTIGURIRWA, Marc The transition to sustainable urban mobility through electric bus (EB) adoption requires an indepth understanding of user perceptions and influencing factors. This study evaluates commuters’ perceptions of electric bus adoption in Kigali City, Rwanda, with the aim of identifying key determinants that drive or hinder the shift from conventional buses to electric alternatives. Guided by four research objectives, the study first identified critical adoption factors through a literature review, which included service quality attributes (speed, safety, reliability, accessibility), environmental and health benefits, and information availability. A structured survey was administered to 417 respondents aged 18 and above, representing current users of various public transport modes in Kigali. Data were collected using a Google Form questionnaire focusing on demographics, travel behaviour, and perception of electric buses across dimensions of importance and satisfaction. Descriptive statistics were employed for perception for importance-satisfaction average and ranking analysis. Furthermore, statistical significance of key adoption factors was assessed using non-parametric methods in SPSS. Findings revealed significant perception gaps in core service quality factors—respondents rated safety, reliability, accessibility, and information availability as highly important yet poorly satisfying. These same factors were also statistically significant predictors of EB adoption, with speed p < 0.001, safety p = 0.008, accessibility p = 0.039, reliability p = 0.049, and information availability p < 0.001 emerging as critical. Environmental and personal health benefits, particularly improved air quality, were also strongly influential p < 0.001. The study concludes that electric bus adoption in Kigali hinges not only on environmental consciousness but more critically on service quality that aligns with user priorities. Accordingly, recommendations emphasize a dual strategy of operational excellence and targeted public awareness, focusing on health, safety, and accessibility. A successful transition to electric mobility in Kigali will depend on delivering a superior transit experience—one that is not just greener, but fundamentally better for all users. Master's Dissertation

Analysis of the potential scalability of electric shared bicycles in Kigali. A perspective from the commuters

2026-04-14T18:27:22Z

Analysis of the potential scalability of electric shared bicycles in Kigali. A perspective from the commuters NIYONAGIRA, Dorcas As cities This study analyzes how electric bike-sharing could be implemented in Kigali, Rwanda, as a long-term solution for improving urban mobility. With the city facing increasing challenges from urbanization and transportation demands, shared e-bikes offer a promising solution that is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and promotes healthy commuting. A quantitative survey was administered to 463 randomly selected participants, and the results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and binary logistic regression. The findings show that people generally favor shared e-bikes, particularly due to their low cost, ability to handle Kigali's hilly terrain, and environmental benefits. However, adoption rates vary depending on personal and social factors such as age, gender, income, and travel distance. Young men from low- to middle-income families were more likely to use ebikes, whereas women showed less interest, owing to safety concerns and cultural expectations. Four major themes influenced Commuter perceptions: efficiency and sustainability, cost and convenience of use, environmental image and safety, and low maintenance with health advantages. To ensure successful adoption, the study recommends improving infrastructure, renting an affordable e-bike, and implementing gender-sensitive policies. These approaches could make e-bike sharing a more equitable and scalable transportation option in Kigali. The findings also provide useful recommendations for urban mobility planning in similar developing city contexts. Master's Dissertation

Developing a pandemic resilience framework for highway projects: case of Covid -19 disease in Rwanda

2026-04-14T18:22:10Z

Developing a pandemic resilience framework for highway projects: case of Covid -19 disease in Rwanda KAMALI, Jean Paul Covid-19 pandemic have not only significantly disrupted the highway construction projects worldwide but also in Rwanda. Leading to the delays, increased costs, workforce shortage and supply chain disruptions. The aim of this project was to develop a pandemic resilience framework for highway construction projects in Rwanda to mitigate the adverse impact of future pandemics and improve construction efficiency. We examined the major five highways projects undertaken during the covid-19 pandemic period, such chosen project are Nyagatare-Rukomo road upgrading project (73 Km); Upgrading works of Huye-Kibeho-Ngoma/Munini (66.3Km); Asphalt Road Pindura- Bweyeye Upgraded (32 km); 13 Km(Sonatubes-Gahanga) of urban roads in CoK and other secondary Cities were constructed and Maintenance of 65km Kigali- Kayonza road. The mixed methods of surveys and interviews and Focus Group Discussions were used in data collection from the different key informant including Client (RTDA and Government Agency), Consultants (Astrik International, CRBC, Etc.) and contractors (NPD, HNRB, Real contractors). The study identified the primary challenges faced during the pandemic, evaluated the effectiveness of mitigation strategies implemented and proposed a structured roadmap to enhance resilience in future highway construction projects. This study provides the valuable insights for police makers, construction firms and government agencies to enhance the resilience and sustainability of Rwanda’s highway sector Master's Dissertation

“Study on the performance of road intersection on pedestrian movement in Kigali city” Case study: Nyabugogo intersection

2026-04-14T18:17:52Z

“Study on the performance of road intersection on pedestrian movement in Kigali city” Case study: Nyabugogo intersection HAKIZIMANA, Jeremie Nyabugogo is located in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, a developing country with a national road network totalling 44,671 km, of which 1,973 km are paved. Notably, 72% of the paved roads are classified as national roads. Rwanda features various types of intersections, including both grade-separated and at-grade intersections. The most common are at-grade intersections, which come in different forms such as T-junctions (three-leg), four-leg intersections, and roundabouts. These intersections can be either controlled (with traffic signals) or uncontrolled. However, all these infrastructures, pedestrians encounter numerous challenges while crossing intersections, particularly in urban areas with high traffic volumes and limited pedestrian infrastructures. One of the most pressing issues is safety, as pedestrians often face conflicts with turning or fast-moving vehicles, which may not yield the right-of-way. In many cases, intersections lack clearly marked crosswalks or functioning pedestrian signals, making it difficult to determine when it is safe to cross. Additionally, signal timing may be too short to accommodate slower individuals such as the elderly, children, or persons with disabilities. Poor visibility due to inadequate lighting or visual obstructions further increases the risk of accidents. Environmental factors like uneven pavements, flooding, or encroachments on sidewalks can force pedestrians into vehicle lanes, putting them at greater danger. Behavioral issues also play a role, with some drivers ignoring traffic rules and some pedestrians crossing unsafely due to impatience or lack of awareness. Lastly, the absence of law enforcement or penalties for violations allows unsafe practices to persist, making intersections particularly hazardous for vulnerable road users. To address the challenges faced by pedestrians at intersections, the Nyabugogo intersection was selected as the case study. This is a four-leg, signal-controlled, at-grade intersection. The study aims to assess the current infrastructure and design features related to pedestrian accessibility and safety. It includes an analysis of pedestrian flow patterns and the identification of key challenges pedestrians encounter when crossing the intersection. Additionally, the study evaluated the effectiveness of existing traffic control measures in facilitating safe pedestrian movement. As conclusions, the results indicate that the performance of Nyabugogo intersection in terms of pedestrian movement is poor, with a Level of Service (LOS) rated as F. Among the key recommendations, the redesign of the Nyabugogo intersection is suggested to improve its geometric features and enhance overall traffic flow. A primary objective is to vi improve safety and mobility by clearly separating vehicle traffic from pedestrian movement. Additionally, raising awareness among both drivers and pedestrians about proper road usage and ensuring adherence to traffic signals—especially during peak hours—is essential. The deployment of permanent police officers at the intersection is also proposed as a vital measure to facilitate smoother traffic operations and strengthen safety enforcement. Furthermore, to promote responsible road behavior, strict fines should be imposed on drivers and pedestrians who violate pedestrian crossing rules, with their offenses recorded in a safe road user database to ensure greater accountability. Master's Dissertation