Sustainable Urban Transportation: A Triple Bottom Line Assessment of the Dhaka Metro Rail System

The rapid urbanization and increasing demand for transport in Bangladesh have exacerbated issues of traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and sustainable urban mobility. Dhaka Metro Rail, the country’s first mass rapid transit system, is an essential initiative in overcoming such challenges and encouraging sustainable travel. However, earlier studies have largely focused on individual sustainability criteria and have used quantitative techniques, which limits a comprehensive knowledge of metro rail sustainability. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explore the contribution of metro rail services to the sustainability of Bangladesh by using the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) paradigm which incorporates environmental, economic and social aspects. A mixed methods study design might be utilized to achieve this purpose. Qualitative data will be collected through in-depth interviews with key stakeholders using purposive sampling and analyzed using content analysis. Quantitative data will be obtained using a structured questionnaire survey of metro train users using convenience sampling and analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Through a sustainability assessment of the Dhaka Metro Rail System, this study contributes to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The study is expected to give a complete assessment of metro rail sustainability, contribute to the literature on sustainable transportation, and provide practical insights to policymakers and transport authorities in developing sustainable urban transportation policies in Bangladesh.