Proceedings of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, Vol.7, 2009

Revitalization Strategies of in the Han River

Ji Won MYUNG Ho Jin CHOI Master Course Student PhD Candidate Department of Civil & Environmental Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University Engineering, Seoul National University Sillim 9, Gwanak-gu Sillim 9, Gwanak-gu Seoul, Korea Seoul, Korea Fax : +82-02-873-2684 Fax : +82-02-873-2684 E-mail : [email protected] E-mail : [email protected]

Seung-young KHO Professor Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University Sillim 9, Gwanak-gu Seoul, Korea Fax : +82-02-873-2684 E-mail : [email protected]

Abstract: The Han River is big resources for sightseeing and solving the problem of severe traffic congestion, but it is not utilized fully. The Han River water taxi has been serviced for tourists and commuters as part of efforts to reform the Han River since 2007. For commuter service, the 15-kilometer trip takes no more than 15 minutes without traffic congestion between eastern and western Seoul, but passengers for commuting are less than 50 persons per day. The goals of this study are to increase commuters using water taxi and relieve the congestion of traffic during rush hour. In this study, we proposed the strategies which linked with the other modes (walking, bicycle, bus and car). Also, several new O-Ds are added. As a result, the potential demand is increased remarkably for lines Jamwon–Yeouinaru District, Eungbong–Yeouinaru District and Ilsan-Habjung-Yeouinaru District after strategies including Bicycle Deck and new O-Ds.

Key Words: Water Taxi, Potential demand, Bicycle Deck

1. INTRODUCTION

The Han River runs through Seoul and divides the city into its northern and southern region. Within Seoul city limits, the river is more than 1 km wide. There are two major arterial highways, Kangbyon road and Olympic road, which run along the bank of the Han River on. These roads make individual users difficult to access to riverside. Despite The Han River is big resources for sightseeing and solving the problem of severe traffic congestion, it is not utilized fully. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is pushing the plan which is called “Han River Renaissance Plan”. The plan has two main themes which is restoration and creation. The restoration focuses on the revival of the river's old functions as an ecological home for people and other creatures. The creation focuses on the revival of the river's old functions as an ecological home for people and other creatures.

The Han River water taxi has been serviced for commuters and tourists as part of efforts to reform the Han River since October 2007. Nam and Park (2004) studied water transportation Proceedings of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, Vol.7, 2009 mode is more reliable than the land transportation mode in term of in-vehicle travel time because water transportation does not face the traffic congestion. Although it has the advantages, passengers for commuting are less than 50 persons per day. However the Seoul Metropolitan Government introduced several methods which improve water taxi environment, it has no effect at all. The goals of this study are to increase commuters using water taxi and relieve the traffic congestion during rush hour. In this study, we forecast potential demand for water taxi and propose various strategies to enhance accessibility to the water taxi. Also, we found new lines that have a potential demand after strategies.

2. STATUS OF THE HAN RIVER WATER TAXI

A water taxi or water bus is a boat used to provide public transport. Service may be scheduled with multiple stops, operating in a similar manner to a bus, or on demand to many locations, operating in a similar manner to a taxi. In case of Han River water taxi, we distinguish between water taxi and water bus because meaning is mixed. A total of 10 water taxies are made available, running customers to and from 11 water taxi stop points along the river. Each taxi is equipped to carry a total of 7 passengers. It provides two services for tourists and commuters.

2.1 For Tourists Case of individual sightseeing, it can take the water taxi without time and stop points limit. Reservations are necessary, and stop points and boarding time should be made well in advance. Tour courses run to and from 11 different platforms including Seoul Forest, Jamwon, Seonyou-do, Nanji. The fee for the trip depends on distance is charged on a per yacht basis, not individual. If it does depart without full seats (7 passengers) then the passengers have to pay for the empty seats.

2.2 For Commuters The Seoul Metropolitan Government developed the water taxi as a form of mass transit during the rush hour. There are 10 water taxies plying between Dtukseom Resort Station, Jamsil District in eastern Seoul and Yeouinaru in western Seoul that are operated during weekday morning and evening rush hours. Detailed timetable was shown in Table.1. The interval between the water taxi services is every 10 minutes in the morning and every 15 minutes in the evening. The one-way fare for this route is 5,000 won(4~5USD) per person. Also, there is the monthly ticket is 80,000 won since November 2008. In the public transport system of Seoul, Bus-Bus and Bus-Metro transfer are free of charge except added distance fare but the water taxi is not included. Compared with other public transportation, it is more expensive about five times, but the 15-kilometer trip takes less than 15 minutes without traffic congestion between eastern and western of Seoul. Whereas road transportations take near 60 minutes during peak hours. Nevertheless, passengers for commuters are less than 50 persons per day. Especially, The Jamsil district is few passengers because main reason is lack of accessibility. The nearest subway station from Jamsil water taxi pier is Sincheon station which is about 1km away. Because of Olympic road, it is not convenient to access to riverside.

Table 1 Schedule of water taxi Time Frequency Tours Weekday Mar-Oct: 10:00-17:30, 20:00-22:30 Nov-Feb: 10:00-17:30 Proceedings of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, Vol.7, 2009

Weekends & Holiday Mar-Oct: 10:00-22:30 Nov-Feb: 10:00-20:00 Commuters Mar-Oct: 07:00-08:30 Every Monday AM Schedule Nov-Feb: 07:30-08:30 10min. - Friday Every only PM Schedule Jan-Dec: 18:30-20:30 15min.

Figure 1 Routes of water taxi in the Han River

3. OVERSEAS CASE

3.1 Canada: Vancouver Vancouver Unlike many large metropolises has no freeways into or through the downtown area. Public Transportation in Vancouver, therefore, has been systematically provided for citizen. A network of buses, trains, sky-trains, and sea-buses () link all parts of the city. The city is surrounded by water on three sides. Vancouver bus service is linked to both the sea-bus, a that crosses the Burrard Inlet between Vancouver and the North Shore, and the sky-train, an elevated train that travels between Vancouver and the suburbs.

The Vancouver Regional Transit System is divided into three fare zones. The fare increases as zone boundaries are crossed. It provides to transfer with no charge within the next 90 minutes.

Sources: www.translink.bc.ca Figure 2 Vancouver public transport system (bus, sky-train, sea-bus)

3.2 United Arab Emirates: Dubai Abra is a traditional boat, used to transport people across Dubai Creek in Dubai. Abra is the primary means of transportation between the two sides of the creek. It is also popular with tourists. For a relatively low cost, it remains an essential and frequently-used part of Dubai transportation. Proceedings of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, Vol.7, 2009

Figure 3 Abra and Dubai’s city map

3.3 USA: New York New York Water Taxi is a water taxi service offering commuter and sightseeing service mainly to points along the and the . It offers three types of service which are Harbor Tours, Hop-on/Hop-off and Commuter Routes. Harbor Tours is way to see the major tourist attractions in New York and has special events including sunset cruse and shearwater sailing. Hop-on/Hop-off service allows passengers to do unlimited travel at each stop (12 stops) on a regular schedule.

Commuter services are operated during only rush hours. It has 4 routes, which are Hudson River Line, East River Route, Ikea Express and Rockaway Commuter Service. Detailed routes were shown in Figure 4. There are Monthly passes and 40-trip ticket for commuters.

Sources: www.nywatertaxi.com Figure 4 New York water taxi and water taxi routes

The transport system of Vancouver has a systematic network that is linked between modes. It provides to transfer freely. Abra in Dubai is popular with citizens and tourists with low fare. The Water Taxi in New York has various routes for commuter and high accessibility. For these reasons, people in that area were pleased with water transportation.

4. ANALYSIS OF EXISTING WATER TAXI

4.1 Water Taxi Travel Survey Proceedings of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, Vol.7, 2009

4.1.1 Methodology The water taxi travel survey is based on an interview with water taxi passengers at the Dtukseom Resort station and Jamsil District. In order to obtain the trip characteristics and traveler behavior, passengers were asked to provide the actual information about existing situations. It is divided into two branches, prior mode characteristics and revealed water taxi travel behavior including access and egress modes. Prior mode characteristics were surveyed about type of modes, the number of transfer and average travel time. Revealed water taxi travel behavior survey includes the reason of mode switching and access and egress modes characteristics.

4.1.2 Results It is analyzed the water taxi passengers are mainly from subway that usually transfer once in the same mode. Access and egress modes for water taxi, which is mostly walking. It account for about 80 percents. Average total of access and egress time is presented 17 minutes. It is similar to other modes in access and egress time. It is true that it is just used by passengers who live in near surrounding riverside. , Moreover, as might be expected, that is the main reason of switching mode why it can reduce travel time. Regarding a comparisons travel time, the survey shows it can reduce the total travel time by 30~50 percents.

This analysis is consistent with Park and Nam (2005) study that is shown commuters were more sensitive to total travel time than total travel cost and Ferry users cared much about travel time. Figure 5 shown comparisons of fare and travel time subway and water taxi.

Figure 5 Comparisons of average fare and travel time subway and water taxi

4.2 Estimation of Water Taxi’s Present Potential Demand In previous section, it is shown that access and egress modes are mostly walking. The reason is that transfer fare is not free and passengers were reluctant to transfer. Also, Water taxi pier is not sufficiently connected other modes. For all these reason, its impact may be limited. In this sense, we analyze water taxi potential demand for O-D pairs that Origin and Destination are located within 1 kilometer from Water taxi pier. We roughly estimate the distance that passenger can walk for 17 minutes with 4km/h pedestrian speed. The O-D pairs are Dtukseom Resort Station- Yeouinaru and Jamsil District- Yeouinaru which are operating routes for.

Proceedings of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, Vol.7, 2009

The potential demand means O-D trips for commuters within rational district which is possible to take the water taxi without many restrictions. This analysis uses SDI Data, is based on Dong unit. Its results are shown in table 2. The potential demand between Dtukseom Resort Station and Yeouinaru is presented 295 trips per day and the potential demand between Jamsil Station and Yeouinaru is presented 135 trips per day. It turned out that district available is a partial. There is no doubt that it is hard to increase water taxi demand without changes.

Table 2 Water taxi’s present potential demand Origin Dtukseom Resort Station Jamsil District District Destination (Noyu 1,2 Dong, Jayang 3 Dong) (Jamsil 1,2,5 Dong) Yeouinaru 295 trips/day 135 trips/day District

5. THE STRATEGIES OF POTENTIAL DEMAND INCREASE

5.1 Improving Accessibility One of the key barriers to increasing Demand of Han River water taxi has been a lack of accessibility between water taxi and the other modes. For this reason, we propose a number of strategies to connect with the other modes.

5.1.1 Walking The quality of walking environment, recognized by pedestrians, is very important in transport system because almost every trip involves walking. The Han Riverside is far away from the nearest a subway station or bus stops. Moreover, two major arterial highways, Kangbyon road and Olympic road, is a stumbling block to go the Riverside. Pedestrian walkway is type of underground road. Therefore, we should improve the walking environment against automobile-oriented around Han River. The walking environment should change into pedestrian greenway ground-based. The Greenway contains a pedestrian walkway and nature trail. This includes opportunities to rest and to enjoy new experiences for walking.

5.1.2 Bicycle For improving accessibility, we propose to introduce bicycle deck between water taxi pier and subway station. Bicycle deck is cycle tracks using an elevated infrastructure. Despite the Seoul Metropolitan Government offered free bicycle rental service in the nearest subway station, there is no one use it. Parkin and Wardman (2007) analyzed that the physical condition of the highway, rainfall and temperature each have an effect on the proportion that cycles to work, and the most significant physical variable is hilliness. In Weather and hilliness aspects, Seoul is not suitable to ride a bicycle. As using the Bicycle deck, it is possible to access to the water taxi pier without that factors.

Proceedings of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, Vol.7, 2009

Sources: www.velo-city.ca Figure 6 Concepts of bicycle deck

Bicycle decks may be established in Waterfront area, where Han River Renaissance Plan is planning and water taxi pier does exist. Waterfront areas in Han River Renaissance Plan are presented in Figure 7. Analyzed sites are Sincheon Station, Dtukseom Resort Station, Eungbong Station, Jamwon Station, Yeouinaru Station, Habjung Station.

Figure 7 Points of waterfront areas and Bicycle deck

5.1.3 Bus Transportation system of Seoul has been reformed aiming to achieve system that is both faster and more convenient since July 2004. With the new bus system, bus environment has been better than before. Connecting water taxi pier with bus transport system makes a remarkable result. To improve accessibility, therefore, we introduce plan which rearranges bus lanes to establish 14 bus stops on each side of the five bridges. The bus stops are directly connected to the Han River Park. If so, it can be used pier for commuter and tourist after prior analysis.

Proceedings of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, Vol.7, 2009

Hannam, Mapo, Yanghwa, Hangang, Dongjak Bridges

Figure 8 Concept of bus stop in riverside

5.1.4 Car As car has the highest accessibility among all modes, accessibility to Riverside can be improved with it. We consider establishing parking center near riverside for transfer to public transport. It will be more effective for parking center to establish in district which has poor transport system.

5.2 Addition of New ODs The water taxi has the advantage on that it can move passengers at speeds far faster than the other modes. In Particular, it is competitive mode aspect of in-vehicle time, while it has a long access and egress time. It implied that water taxi is best suited for long-distance journey. It is appropriate to add new origins and a destination for commuters. The new destination is Ilsan, located on the northern outskirts of Seoul, which is business and residential districts. water taxi is more competitive than Subway in terms of in-vehicle time. The new origins are area that is possible to establish Bicycle Deck. These are Jamwon Station, Eungbong Station, Habjung Station. The comparisons are presented in table 3.

Table 3 Comparison in-vehicle time between water taxi and subway

Origin Jamsil Dtukseom Eungbong Jamwon Habjung Ilsan District District District District District District Destination 40-50 40-50 35-40 20-25 65-70 Subway 40-45 min. Yeouinaru min. min. min. min. min. District Water 15-20 15-20 8-10 25-30 10-15 min. 5 min. taxi min. min. min. min. 90-95 90-95 70-80 60-65 Subway 80-85 min. - Ilsan min. min. min. min. District Water 35-40 35-40 30-35 20-25 30-35 min. - taxi min. min. min. min.

Proceedings of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, Vol.7, 2009

6. COMPARISON POTENTIAL DEMAND (CASE STUDY)

As establishing Bicycle Deck between water taxi pier and subway station, accessibility of water taxi will be improved. Also, the rational districts that are possible to take the water taxi are getting bigger. For these reason, we analyzed water taxi potential demand including subway stations near Dtukseom Resort Station and Jamsil District. The district is roughly within 3 kilometer. Not only that, but it includes new zone, Ilsan, located along the Han River. As a result, the study found a potential possibility for new lines, Jamwon-Yeouinaru District, Eungbong-Yeouinaru District and Ilsan-Habjung-Yeouinaru District. The potential demand is increased remarkably. Detailed results are presented in table 4

Moreover, Park and Nam (2005) analyzed ridership for work trip will increase by 0.1 percent every 5 percent decrease of total walking of ferry. Considering that, the effect of improving accessibility is significant

Table 4 Potential demand after strategies Origin Jamsil Dtukseom Eungbong Jamwon Yeouinaru Habjung Ilsan

District District District District District District District Destination Jamsil - 808 223 274 83 135 17 District Dtukseom 616 - 1115 221 0 135 24 District Eungbong 165 486 - 75 0 0 0 District Jamwon 176 685 754 - 209 400 165 District Yeouinaru 1300 407 676 2046 - 604 1952 District Habjung 233 313 248 161 136 - 847 District Ilsan 54 19 21 22 0 281 - District

7. CONCLUSION

In spite of reducing travel time, water taxi passengers for commuters are less than 50 persons per day. We conducted a water taxi travel survey and analyzed potential demand of water taxi. It turned out that district available for water taxi is a partial. There is no doubt that it is hard to increase water taxi demand without changes. Water taxi is competitive mode aspect of in- vehicle time, while it has a long access and egress time. In this study, we proposed a number of strategies to make a remarkable growth of water taxi. Two methods were mentioned are to improve accessibility and to add appropriately a new O-D. First of all, it is important to link with other modes for improving accessibility. We proposed a number of strategies to connect to the other modes (walking, bicycle, bus and car). Moreover, several O-Ds, bicycle decks may be established in Waterfront area, are added. It is based on Han River Renaissance Plan.

Proceedings of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, Vol.7, 2009

In the application stage, we compared potential demand before and after strategies including Bicycle Deck and new O-Ds. As a result, the potential demand is increased appreciably. As a result, the study found a potential possibility for new lines, Jamwon-Yeouinaru District, Eungbong-Yeouinaru District and Ilsan-Habjung-Yeouinaru District. The potential demand is increased remarkably.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research is funded by Engineering Research Institute and BK21 Safe and Sustainable Infrastructure Research Group in Seoul National University.

REFERENCES

Dongjoo, Park., Doohee, Nam., (2005) Strategies Enhancing Water Transportation Using Econometric Model Approach, Journal of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, Vol. 6, 825-837. Dongjoo, Park., Doohee, Nam., (2004) Modal Choice with Travel Time Reliability, Journal of Korean Society of Transportation, Vol. 22, No.6. May, R. (2006) “Connectivity” in Urban Rivers: Conflict and Convergence between Ecology and Design, Technology in Society 28, 477-488 Parkin, J., Wardman, M. and Page, M. (2008) Estimation of the Determinants of Bicycle Mode Share for the Journey to Work Using Census Data, Transportation, Vol. 35, No.1, 93-109. Hyukryeol, Yoon., Hyunchan, Park., (2007) The Han River Renaissance Plan and Long- term Establish Plan, Presented at Seoul Development Institute (SDI), Seoul