Urban public transportation issues and solution proposals (case study: Turhal)

The increasing global population, combined with economic, cultural, and technological developments, has made urban transportation issues increasingly complex. As the population grows, the number of transportation vehicles also increases, leading to problems such as noise, pollution, and energy consumption. At this point, urban transportation planning becomes crucial. In sustainable urban transportation planning, while determining supply and demand, attention must be paid not only to social and economic factors but also to many other aspects. Considering the mentioned negative impacts, public transportation emerges as an alternative that positively influences the environment and human health. Developing public transportation systems has brought forward the concept of integrated transportation systems, which require the planning and operation of various transportation modes to enhance their benefits. Achieving sustainable urban transportation depends on integrated transportation systems, which in volvecoordinated planning, efficient collaboration among transportation modes, and problem-solving based on supply-demand dynamics. However, in smaller cities, there is a need for a deeper understanding of the role of intermediate public transportation modes, such as minibuses and shared taxis, in public transportation and their accessibility for users. Additionally, it is essential to investigate how these modes, which complicate integration in terms of routes, services, and fares, negatively affect the quality of public transportation services and influence user accessibility.In this study, the relationship between urban transportation and public transportation is established, the types and characteristics of urban transportation and public transportation systems are explained, and the importance and types of integration in urban transportation are discussed. In the case of Turhal, the problems of public transportation and proposed solutions were addressed through a survey and analyzed based on statistics and data. In conclusion, it has been determined that public transportation problems stem from deficiencies in factors such as safety, parking, comfort, service frequency, infrastructure, technology, and informational signage. As a solution, it has been concluded that public transportation systems should be institutionalized, vehicles should be renewed, accessibility should be improved, and public transportation routes should be thoroughly examined and enhanced in all aspects.