Keeping bus lane clear - how hard will it be?
Two videos, one from the NYC, US, and another Bangkok, Thailand. East or West, keeping Bus lanes clear isn't that easy. How will we do it in Bangalore? Bus mounted Cameras to take snapshots of moving vehicles ahead, and fine random 10 every day from the pictures taken? Or simple 'heavy fine' warning to induce fear?
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Bus lanes may not work
The videos say it all - the story is the same everywhere, east or west.
This is why I had suggested physically separated lanes for buses. Guangzhou has designed BRT very well with lanes completely segregated, as have other chinese cities.
and the solution, in this video, at 00:32 onwards !
See those bollards that sink in and out, based on bus arrival. See how the cheapskate cars gets the metal. Only the BPS buses and Emergency vehicles could have the 'wireless key' to sink the bollards, and only at the time and places where BPS may have dedicated lanes. For ex: the bollards can be down on the weekends, or all hours except Weekday 8-10am and 5-8pm. Think and think, all problems have a solution, esp when technology is allowed in the mix.
The video is from Manchester BTW
Need to update the BPS report with solution suggestions like this. BPS is not making headway in the 'way' we would want - accord higher relative priority to Buses. The philosophy behind whatever BPS work BMTC is doing right now is - let everyone on the road benefit, including Buses. The defensive approach perhaps is due to the fear of noise from private vehicle users and big business-es (like Leela Hotel) who may not like dedicated lanes next to their buildings.
how emergency vehicles & bus use the bollards - video#2
Can we procure these and setup a demo for Mobilicity 2012. Don't know, but worth a try. Here, another video showing how emergency vehicles and Buses can use these for "virtual and managed" semi-dedicated bus lanes.
rising bollards, already in Bangalore
Forgot to share how I got to know about these bollards. We have them in Bangalore at Taj West End, used for Security. Guards check your car etc, and then lower the bollards to let you in.
Absolutely Correct
BPS is not making headway in the 'way' we would want - accord higher relative priority to Buses. The philosophy behind whatever BPS work BMTC is doing right now is - let everyone on the road benefit, including Buses. The defensive approach perhaps is due to the fear of noise from private vehicle users and big business-es (like Leela Hotel) who may not like dedicated lanes next to their buildings.
Perfect - unless buses get advantage over others on the roads, nothing will ever change. And the ones posing obstacles are the likes of Leela & shop-keeper associations all across the city who see cars and car parking facilities nearby as the key to better clientale & increased business. Even restaurants are in the same league.
Unless their clout is broken, things will not move ahead, but this may be very difficult to overcome. After a couple of meetings with comml st owners association, I had thought that the pedestrianization process there would never work unless somehow, easy access is provided close to their shops other than by cars. On the surface, though, they always appear to support the idea just for the media & other green groups.
The arrival of the Metro in ph-1 past MG Rd /Brigade rd & ph-2 past comml street is what is necessary to break their stranglehold & force them into submission. Once these key centers are tackled, the others will be easier.
Someone had posted the bollard video earlier here. Though a useful option, I think it may not work in India since these are easy to damge or vandalize, similar to cutting turn openings along road dividers. We can of course show it to the authorities for consideration & they could test it out.
Don't think it has been tried Naveen
I have never heard Leela or Royal Orchid (Near Richmond) complain themselves in the first person, but some people "think so", and speak for "them". Restaurants on the road side etc are to be sold the option of "no parking", or "bus lane" - pick between the two.
It is very much workable, just that the effort of "marketing" the concept needs to be put. And Metro is not competition in anyway, let Metro flow and prosper.
Folks like you have to convert first, in your minds. Road side businesses, and Govt agencies will follow suit. Please, get back and in on this, full steam.
Btw - A study of Indian Professor on Transmilenio
Please go through this link, a study by Indian Professor Shivanand Swamy from CEPT of Ahmedabad:
http://thecityfix.com/blog/visiting-transmilenio-with-prof-swamy-the-brains-behind-ahmedabads-brt-system/
They were able to cover 25 kms in 40 minutes on the Express Buses which is quite a good timing. Our office shuttle (almost non-stop) takes 75 minutes to cover 25 kms at 7AM in morning and 90 minutes to 105 minutes during evening hours. If we take normal BMTC, due to stops, it takes another 15 minutes.
Can be done -
Yes this is doable with some limitations. I lived in Canada where there are bus only lanes, both on highways and main roads, to let it fly thru. In fact bus lanes have their own traffic lights that are not used for other traffic.
Roads in Bangalore may not be wide enough to accommodate bus only lane. Lets not forget that there are 41 lakhs registered in the city. In new areas this is possible to have a bus only lane assuming that the roads are wide enough. Old areas like Malleswaram have no space as I have seen, to have a bus only lane. If it’s successful, I think it will be, more people will start using the public transport. Here are some suggestions:
. Count me in for further deliberations on this issue.