BUS PRIORITY TECHNIQUES

Traffic congestion in UK cities continues to increase. Investment in the public transport sector is essential if mobility is to be improved. Within the sector, there has been a recent trend towards rail-based Light Rapid Transit (LRT). For the majority of UK cities, LRT is likely to be unaffordable, requires lengthy implementation periods, is inflexible in operation and is not necessarily of adequate capacity. Bus services offer great potential in meeting urban transport needs. The efficient operation and performance of bus systems is seriously and adversely affected by traffic congestion. The role of bus priority is vital. Since the mid 1970's in the UK, there has been virtually no development of bus priority systems. In December 1991, the Department of Transport published Keeping Buses Moving (see IRRD 845352). The paper discusses other techniques, including those used for buses and for trams in other countries, and whether they should be considered for buses in UK cities. Measures which have been used successfully in other countries are described and their applications and problems in the UK environment, with reference to a proposed busway in Docklands, are discussed. Measures include: improved segregation: positive segregation of conventional bus lanes; improved management: traffic signal arrangements including pre- signals/advance signals, special signals, traffic queue relocation; and improved continuity: centrally located busways including brief mention of guided bus. The paper concludes with a reference to the need, in addition to on-street priority, to improve the quality and image of bus systems if buses are to gain greater acceptability as a modern transport mode. (A) For the covering abstract of the seminar see IRRD 859670.