Impact of Different Bus Stop Designs on Bus Operating Time Components

The design of bus stops significantly affects bus operation. The delay time caused by inappropriate bus stop design adversely influences the efficiency of the system. This paper aims to examine the influence of bus stops on bus operating time components through statistical analysis, using Singapore as a case study. Two common types of bus stops, bus bay and curb-side stop, were investigated during the field survey to obtain actual data of bus operation at stops. Sixteen stops were chosen in pairs to compare the differences in operating time at bus stops. Bus operating times, including acceleration time, dwell time, deceleration time, and delay time, were recorded, with five types of delay time categorized. A total of 2,653 valid data records were collected and processed. The results showed that buses have better operational performance at curb-side stops than at bus bays in terms of average passenger boarding and alighting time and acceleration time. These findings have operational and planning implications for transport authorities and operators with regard to evaluating the performance of bus operation and improving the design of bus stops.