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Bus Priority Concept paper from Praja - draft ready

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Written By silkboard - 22 March, 2011

Bangalore BMTC Praja Bus CiSTUP Transportation public transport Mobilicity BPS

We got delayed due to unavoidable reasons, but the concept paper on Bus Priority System (BPS) for Bengaluru is now nearing completion. Find attached a draft version, look forward to comments from those familiar with BRT and related concepts. Our goal is to prepare a crisp document that would provide a picture of what BPS is and how it can be applied to our arterial routes. As always, there are hundreds of ideas/concepts to pick from. Which 5-10 of these are quick-win, low cost, and still effective is the question to answer based on observations in the field (as in, on the roads).

16 field trips (long, medium and short runs) were done on G1/333E (both are regular Buses, not Vajra) to record Bus times to prepare input data for listing BPS concepts. We were not able to get GPS data from actual Buses (G1 or 333E). Such data would have been perfect input for compiling and validating the BPS concepts.

Transmogrifier, j_venu and couple others are already in the process of reviewing and becoming co-authors of this document which was seeded by Naveen.

We all hope that via this concept paper, BPS (or any similar half-measure but quickstart version of the popular BRT) will spark interest in local government agencies to accelerate their plans for improving Bus transit system in Bengaluru.

Constructive criticism is welcome, we would love it if you provide the alternative text and illustrations as well along with your critique so that those can be easily incorporated in the concept paper.

BPS Concept Paper March2011 Draft(function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })();

cheers,

SB aka Pranav, for the BPS project team.

COMMENTS

Will be up on scribd soon

silkboard - 22 March, 2011 - 06:51

Will upload on scribd later in the evening so that its easier to read it without downloading.

Also, the plan is to print and mail physical copies of the final document to local government agencies.

And I will be re-attaching the updated version of the draft here as it develops with everyone's input.

problem with mid point stops

rackstar - 22 March, 2011 - 10:39

Generally people who change buses in junctions would like to get down as close to a junction. For example recently discussed Jayadeva flyover where to change a bus you have to walk almost half a kilometer, which is a common problem in double flyovers.

Document already looks in good shape, congrats. I think bus exclusive queue jump lane alone should improve things a lot, special traffic signals may not be required initially.

updated - v9 attached, thanks TM, j_venu

silkboard - 23 March, 2011 - 03:37

v9 attached and up on scribd. Thanks Transmog and venu for deep review and contributions.

VBL at Marathahalli market area is a problem on the east bound road there. Adjoining the HAL land (on north side of road), this part of east bound road doesn't have space for a third lane for doing VBL. Will confirm today during my commute.

review of BPS concept paper V7

j_venu - 24 March, 2011 - 17:40

I did a review of BPS concept paper version V7 and following are my observations.

Page Number
Original text
Comment
General
Provide Numbers for all Figures.
Provide references to the same in the corresponding text.
3
Buses by arterial corridors of Bengaluru .
Extra space before “.” Ie. Bengaluru.
3
The Bus Priority System (BPS)concepts described in this paper provide a compromise between dedicated bus lanes and buses operating in mixed traffic conditions.
 -- reword compromise as it does not sound positive.
The Bus Priority System (BPS) concepts described in this paper suggests alternate methods to reduce congestion for buses operating in mixed traffic conditions without Dedicated Bus Lanes.
 
3
Bus Priority System (BPS) is not an alternative to the popular Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) solutions
 
-- reword compromise as it does not sound positive.
Bus Priority System (BPS) is not an alternative to the Popular Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) typically consists of seven major components. (Refer Fig number ..) All of these implemented as per reference system from Curitiba would lead to what are referred to as “full-BRT” solution. BPS is to be seen as a partial BRT (Subset ) which is cheaper and quick-to-implement that does not focus on all the components and can greatly reduce travel time , increase reliability and quality of Bus Services 
 
4
In the Table Components of BRT -  row for Intelligent Systems
include – Bus Arrival/ Location Information Systems
4
In the Table Components of BRT  
Highlight what all components can be covered in BPS through a common color /shade.
4
BPS case studies :
Though “full BRT” is a more popular subject
This statement is not required.
4
Reword : Though “full BRT” is a more popular subject, priority measures for Bus are in operation at several metropolitan cities around in Western Europe, Canada, United States and Japan.
Bus priority measures are  already in operation at several metropolitan cities around in Western Europe, Canada, United States and Japan. Below are some the Papers on the Studies conducted Bus Priority Systems.
7
TIME GAIN MEASUREMENT – RISKS
 
BPS measures could lead to increased adoption of Buses on the chosen routes
BPS measures could lead to increased adoption of Buses on the chosen routes and also reduce Private Vehicle usage.
7
TIME GAIN MEASUREMENT – RISKS
These would have negative effect on journey time improvements effected by BPS.
Also Add - This Negative effect could be mitigated by intelligent allocation of additional buses where this effect is seen.
7
TIME GAIN MEASUREMENT – RISKS
There could be concern that BPS might cause overcrowding of the already crowded buses during Peak Hours. Mostly over crowding happens when there are long waits for Buses. As an offshoot of reduced congestion buses now being more frequent and punctual  resulting in lesser crowding inside the bus.
7
TIME GAIN MEASUREMENT – RISKS
QJL might block compulsory left lanes.
9
bus-lengths after the signalso that
Spacing issue
9
activated greensare not
Spacing issue
8
VIRTUAL BUS LANE
This section can come immediately after the QJL. I have also provided some more suggestions for Virtual Bus Lane with Yields.  Yield Based Virtual Bus Lanes can be applied both near Signals and slow moving traffic paths.
10
intersections with Significant volume
significant
10
Traffic Signal Prioritycould
Spacing
12
Maratahalli
Should be Marathahalli – find /replace . couple more places.
12
333P/335EBuses (Volvo
Spacing
13
replica mountsto
Spacing – mounts to
13
 
The message boards would have approach sensors that can communicate only with the approaching BPS Buses.
 
Also include the Yield boards.
 
The message/Yield boards would have approach sensors that can communicate only with the approaching BPS Buses.
 
14
In table summary of design elements
Wider low floor doors High #
Is # intentional ?
15
make G1 competitiveenough to
Spacing
18
For Inner CBD, top 4 listed are
1. Richmond Road/Hosur Road
2. Lifestyle signal
3. Lower Agram Road/Victoria Road
4. Trinity Church Road/Old Airport Road
 
 
In the summary of Hot Spots Inner CBD has Museum Road / FM Cariappa Road
 
I believe both Agram & Victoria are hot spots. Need to probably make it a top 5 hot spots.
18
BPSconcepts:
spacing
19
it is possible to creat a “virtual bus lane”
typo
20
To maintain proper order , Suranjan Das Signal should be followed by Wind Tunnel.
Refer
21
You may also include reference to queue jump lanes at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queue_jump
 
Reference:
 

thanks Priyanka

silkboard - 3 June, 2011 - 02:35

have sent you my email through a private message, let me know how you want to help. Also, someone mentioned a bus lane was done near Haji Ali in Mumbai. Any idea?

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