BUS PRIORITY MEASURES:
Bus priority measures are techniques used to give buses priority over general traffic. Bus priority measures is the collective term used to describe a range of traffic management techniques aimed at making buses more efficient and reliable in light of physical constraints that may cause delays, i.e., traffic congestion.[1] The Auckland City Council employs a number of tried and tested bus priority measures like bus lanes, bus borders, bus signals, bus stop improvements and signal pre-emption[2]. Here, we are particularly interested in bus lane regulations.
Bus priority measures include:
Bus Lanes: A bus lane allows buses to bypass traffic congestion on main routes during peak times. Bus lanes can be long, continuous lengths or short sections on the approach to intersections. Bus lanes are marked with signs displaying operational times. Outside operational hours the bus lanes revert to con-street parking spaces with cycle lanes alongside in some locations.
Bus Border: A bus border is an extension of the footpath and raised kerb into the traffic lane. This allows the bus to stop without leaving its position in the traffic stream. Cars travelling behind the bus will pause for a short period while passengers get on and off the bus. At peak congestion times, the effect on the traffic times is negligible as traffic lights down stream of the bus borders are the main restriction.
Bus Signals: Bus signals (or B-signals) can be applied at a traffic signal where a bus lane is provided. The white B-signal activates when the presence of a bus is detected in the bus lane, providing it with a head start over traffic. Where a bus lane ends before the intersection and the bus shares a lane with a turning movement (typically a left turn), a left turn arrow can operate in conjunction with the B-signal to clear any traffic queued ahead of the bus.
Bus Stop Improvements: This involves an overall reduction in the number of bus stops and / or the relocation of bus stops to sites where they are convenient for boarding and alighting passengers, whilst at the same time resulting in a reduction in the overall journey time between the origin and destination.
Signal Pre-emption: Signal pre-emption detects when a late bus is approaching a signalised intersection and manages the traffic lights appropriately. The system consists of detectors in the roads, which are linked to traffic lights. When a bus passes over a detector in the road, a message is sent ahead that a bus is on its way. If the lights are about to turn red they are instructed to stay green until the bus passes through. If the lights are already red, then the green phase is brought forward.
[1] New Zealand Transport Agency in conjunction with Environment Canterbury and Christchurch City Council. “Everybody wins when the bus comes first.” http://www.buspriority.co.nz/ (accessed October 12, 2010)
[1] New Zealand Transport Agency in conjunction with Environment Canterbury and Christchurch City Council. “What is it?” http://www.buspriority.co.nz/WhatIsIt/ (accessed October 12, 2010)
[2] Ibid.