BUS CAPACITY ANALYSIS

This paper provides an initial input for updating the section on bus capacity in the Highway Capacity Manual and identifies parameters, principles, and procedures for estimating the capacity of bus facilities and systems. It reviews available data on bus capacities, suggests design assumptions for bus system planning and analysis, and outlines further research needs. The studies demonstrate that (a) the critical element governing system capacity is the bus station platform or bus stop rather than the busway; (b) at stations, capacity is determined by the number of door channels on the bus and fare collection practices; and (c) bus capacity should be viewed in terms of people transported rather than buses moved per hour.