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A solution for eastbound OMR/ORR lanes
Written By Transmogrifier - 20 January, 2009
Bangalore Bangalore Bangalore Bangalore Bangalore Bangalore Bangalore ORR ORR ORR ORR ORR ORR ORR Road Works Bus Stops Bus Stops Bus Stops Bus Stops Bus Stops Bus Stops Bus Stops KR Puram KR Puram KR Puram KR Puram KR Puram KR Puram KR Puram Benniganahalli Benniganahalli Benniganahalli Benniganahalli Benniganahalli Benniganahalli Benniganahalli suggestion suggestion suggestion suggestion suggestion suggestion suggestion OMR OMR OMR OMR OMR OMR OMR Transportation Infrastructure Pedestrian Infrastructure
The mess at Bennigannahalli is a 2 km microcosm of what haphazard (if any) planning can result in- apathy (and sometimes antipathy) to public transportation, lane indiscipline, poor forethought (narrow RUB; non-existent pedestrian infrastructure) and bad design (Cable-stayed bridge) to name a few. However IMO some solutions are not that far away.
Below is my visualization of SB's suggestion for a pedestrian subway combined with a "median bus-stop" (for Eastward bound lanes). 
pic courtesy: CKannan
It seems (from my rendering of the picture atleast) that there is adequate space for a 'median bus-stop' for buses intending to use the Cable-stayed bridge. For buses intending to go to Whitefield, a curbside bus bay can easily be added beyond the Cable-stayed bridge entry point. A simple footpath can integrate the two. Also added, lane specific signage, something other forum topics have discussed in the past. So here's what's involved:
- Lane remarking
- Additional overhead signs- maybe two more in addtion to the one I've added, one each on the Benniganahalli overpass and one on OMR just after the RUB.
- 2 policemen for about a month; One to shepherd buses in to their exclusive lane and another to prevent them from stopping at the base of the bridge.
- A new subway and some added footpaths (space for both of which exists). With the use of magic box(es) the subway should take just a couple of days (maybe one weekend).
Admittedly, this is just the tip of proverbial iceberg. What lies ahead is convincing the NHAI, SWR, BDA, BBMP and BMTC that they need to do something about the situation now. Together.
transmogrifier
PS: CK, thanks for the pics, finally gave me the chance to sketch out some of my thoughts.
COMMENTS
idontspam - 20 January, 2009 - 06:18
nijavaada - 20 January, 2009 - 09:37
TM,
Thats a nice illustration you've put up, but wonder if you thought about the implications on bus travellers by this new bus lane? Our buses have doors on their left side, and people will have to alight/board from the middle of the road!!
Its okay if you've already given this a holistic thought! But if you hadn't, you may want to re-think this idea :)
-Nijavaada
Transmogrifier - 20 January, 2009 - 23:56
Oddly enough I did overlook that! Thanks!
With small adjustments though it could still work. Situate the median bus stop and consequently at the entry/exit to the ped subway at the left edge of the bus lane (red lane in pic) and curve the bus lane a bit to add a bit of traffic calming (Tom Turner anyone?!) which might discourage the average driver from just shooting through the bus-exclusive lane. Ideally I should redraw and respost but shall rely on everyone's imagination to understand what I mean :)
transmogrifier
blrsri - 21 January, 2009 - 06:05
Finally it has dawned to the BBMP authorities of a sensible use of the MUP..the nrupathunga road job is quite good..
There are more important junctions which need this MUP and one of them as transmogrifier explains is at the tin factory bus stop at KR puram..hope they do it soon!
nijavaada - 23 January, 2009 - 06:35
TM,
Taking a li'l simpler, and less-intrusive (as in causing physical change) approach, I suggest that this can be solved by disciplined and meaningful signalling at our junctions. I am talking about the bus-lane issue when it comes to planning our OMRs or the ORRs or any other *Rs for that matter.
The hassle with creating bus lanes in our system is because of the deep penetraton of the bus facility into our road network. At every junction we invariably find buses going out of their "stops" and making a right turn at a signal junction. The lane discipine illustrated above doesnt cater to such a common situation. (For instance a bus on the extreme right bus lane could have to take a left at a junction on this road) So what we need apart from lane-disciplining is appropriate signalling to match the exact situation we have on our hands.
We need signals to specifically address bus lanes allowing them to make turns at junctions, thereby encouraging them to stick to their lanes. We may have to draw curved bus lanes at junctions (dotted lines perhaps) to indicate how buses should engage in the turn. This will help hasten the bus transit during the signal duration. This way the system gives the due-respect to the public transport (buses) per-se, and ensures the system is friendly to a mode of transport that is better for the city! Also, this way, the rest of the traffic is free of abrupt bus interference at signals.
-Nijavaada
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