Published Paper Details:

Rapid urbanization in Visakhapatnam has placed increasing pressure on its transportation infrastructure, leading to congestion, longer travel times, and rising emissions. This study aims to evaluate how geospatial techniques can support sustainable transportation planning in the city by addressing gaps in public transport accessibility and inefficient land-use integration. Using a four-stage transport demand modeling approach combined with GIS-based analysis, the study examined three future scenarios: Business-as-Usual (BAU), Public Transport-Focused (PT), and Land-Use Integrated with Public Transport (LU+PT). The networks, TAZs, land use maps, and public transport routes--were analyzed to simulate mode share, trip lengths, and emission levels across scenarios. The LU+PT scenario emerged as the most effective, achieving the highest public transport usage (60%), shortest average trip length (6.5 km), and lowest annual emissions (95,000 tCO?). In contrast, the BAU scenario showed limited transit adoption and the highest emissions (125,000 tCO?). GIS-based accessibility mapping also revealed underserved peripheral zones with high emission output and limited transport access. These findings demonstrate that integrating spatial planning with transport infrastructure decisions can significantly enhance mobility outcomes and environmental sustainability. The study supports the use of geospatial tools as essential components in designing equitable, low-carbon urban transport systems--especially for growing cities like Visakhapatnam.