Bus Rapid Transit System : An Analysis of Bhopal City

S. Rokade* and S. Gupta **

Department of Civil Engineering

Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal 462051, India

*Asstt. Professor, Email: r_sid@rediffmail.com (Corresponding Author)

** PG Student, Email: sumeet17@hotmail.com

Abstract

Bus Rapid Transit System or BRTS is a bus based high quality,

high capacity rapid transit system that delivers fast, comfortable

and cost effective urban mobility. In a BRT system, vehicles

travel in exclusive lanes, thus avoiding congestion. There is a

provision of segregated right-of-way infrastructure, rapid and

frequent bus operations, easy boarding and alighting facilities

for the passengers and excellence in marketing and customer

service.

BRT combines the performance and amenities of a modern rail

based transit system with the flexibility and cost advantages of

roadway transit. BRT can be built in phases with future

expansion options. BRT is a cost effective transit option

available to improve the environment, enhance mobility and

promote livable cities. BRT applications are designed to be

appropriate to the market they serve and their physical

surroundings and they can be incrementally implemented in a

variety of environments. In brief, BRT is an integrated system of

facilities, services, and amenities that collectively improves the

speed, reliability, and identity of bus transit.

The transportation system in Bhopal city requires significant

improvements. The complex and heterogeneous traffic pool,

largely dominated by non-motorized vehicles (especially

rickshaws), poorly maintained motorized vehicles, and the lack

of enforcement of traffic rules, creates serious and often

unbearable congestion and heavy pollution in the citys streets. In a city inhabited by more than 18 lakhs people, predominantly

representing the middle and lower-middle class, a well-

organized low-cost bus transportation system is yet to emerge to

resolve the citys transportation problems. This study explores ways of improving bus transportation services in Bhopal.

Also, the salient features of BRTS like improved stations and

shelters, cleaner and quieter vehicles, exclusive lanes and

applications of Intelligent Transport System (ITS) in BRTS are

discussed in the paper. Through ITS, such as real-time

information displays, customers gain vital system knowledge

that makes journeys more efficient & less stressful. ITS also

sometimes plays an important role in system management by

giving the BRT authority the power to track and control the

speed and location of operators.

Keywords :- Bus Rapid Transit System, Intelligent Transport

System, Exclusive Bus Lanes.

1. Introduction

Effective public transit is central to development. For the

vast majority of developing city residents, public transit is the

only practical means to access employment, education, and

public services, especially when such services are beyond the

viable distance of walking or cycling. Unfortunately, the

current state of public transit services in developing cities

often does little to serve the actual mobility needs of the

population. Bus services are too often unreliable,

inconvenient and dangerous. In response, transport planners

and public officials have sometimes turned to extremely

costly mass transit alternatives such as rail-based metros.

Due to the high costs of rail infrastructure, cities can only

construct such systems over a few kilometres in a few limited

corridors. The result is a system that does not meet the

broader transport needs of the population. Nevertheless, the

municipality ends up with a long-term debt that can affect

investment in more pressing areas such as health, education,

water, and sanitation. However, there is an alternative

between poor public transit service and high municipal debt.

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) can provide high-quality, metro -

like transit service at a fraction of the cost of other options

This module provides municipal officials, non-governmental

organizations, consultants, and others with an introduction to

the concept of BRT as well as a step-by-step process for

successfully planning a BRT system.

Bhopal is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. As

per 2001 census, the population of Bhopal district is 18.38

lakhs out of which 14.35 lakhs live in Bhopal city,in 66

wards, covering a gross area of 285 sq. km. including the

lakes and hills. This makes it a low-density city of 50 persons

per hectare gross and 63 persons net if the lake area of 38 sq.

km. is deducted. Even if the areas of steep hills are

discounted, the density on habitable land remains low at 80

persons per hectare. Essentially Bhopal is a city of inhabited

pockets with open areas and natural barriers in between.

Bhopal is located on hilly terrain within the Malwa Plateau

(23 16N, 77 22E). National Highway 12 (Beora Jabalpur road), which links the city to many large cities in the north west and the south east. State Highways connect Indore and Sagar. The city is connected by the broad gauge railway line

to Nagpur, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai. The city is also

served by regular air services to Mumbai, Delhi and Indore.

2. Concept of Bus Rapid Transit System

Bus Rapid Transit System is a new form of public

transportation which is an emerging approach to using buses

as an improved high-speed transit system. Bus Rapid Transit

involves coordinated improvements in a transit systems infrastructure, equipment, operations, and technology that

give preferential treatment to buses on urban roadways.

2.1 Salient features of BRTS

BRTS may also include any of the following features :

Improved stations and shelters. Bus terminals and unique stations or shelters differentiate Bus Rapid Transit

service from standard bus service. Intelligent

Transportation System technologies. Advanced

technology can maintain more consistent distances

between buses and inform passengers when the next bus

is arriving.

Fig.1. Bogota TransMilenio BRTS

Cleaner and quieter vehicles. Improved diesel buses and buses using alternative-fuels are cleaner than traditional

diesel buses.

Exclusive Lanes. Traffic lanes reserved for the exclusive use of buses help buses pass congested traffic.

Bus Rapid Transit also has the advantage of establishing a

mass transit corridor and building Bus Rapid Transit systems

can have lower capital costs than Other MRTS Options yet

can often provide similar performance. Further, Bus Rapid

Transits flexibility may be a potentially valuable feature for many communities with sprawling patterns of development,

where public transportation needs can be more complex and

difficult to address than focusing on a single central business

district.

3. Need of BRTS in the city

Bhopal is a fastest growing industrial city of Madhya Pradesh.

It is one of the metropolitan cities in the state.

Its population size was 14.33 lakhs in 2001, and is projected to be 21.21 lakhs by 2025.

To meet the increasing travel demands of the city in an efficient, convenient, safe and economical

manner, planning, development, operation and

management of the transport system of Bhopal is

important to sustain the economic viability,

productivity and competitiveness of Bhopal city.

Most importantly, National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) also suggests the introduction of BRTS as a

public transport technology for metropolitan cities.

The objective of this policy is to ensure safe,

affordable, quick, comfortable, reliable and

sustainable access for the growing number of city

residents to jobs, education, recreation and such

other needs within our cities. This is sought to be

achieved by:

Incorporating urban transportation as an important parameter at the urban planning

stage rather than being a consequential

requirement

Encouraging integrated land use and transport planning so that travel distances are minimized

and access to livelihoods, education, and other

social needs, especially for the marginal

segments of the urban population is improved

Bringing about a more equitable allocation of road space with people, rather than vehicles, as

its main focus

Investing in transport systems that encourage greater use of public transport and non-

motorized modes instead of personal motor

vehicles

Introducing Intelligent Transport Systems for traffic management

Increasing effectiveness of regulatory and enforcement mechanisms

Addressing concerns on road safety and trauma response

Reducing pollution levels through changes in travelling practices, better enforcement, stricter

norms, technological improvements, etc.

4. Details of sub-cities of Bhopal

Table 1 Self contained sub-cities of Bhopal

S.No. Name of Sub-city Estimated

Population(Lakhs)

1. Bairagh 2.00

2. Old-city 4.00

3. Capital city(TT Nagar) 3.50

4. BHEL Township 2.50

5. Service Township(BHEL

Extn.)

2.50

6. Misrod 8.00

7. Neori 2.50

(Source: Bhopal Municipal Corporation Report)

5. Operational characteristics of existing public transport

The average route length is about 27 km.

Most of the routes pass through old city area,

because of demand.

Frequent request stops.

The number of passenger per trip is about 46.

Passengers on board at any time 14.

Passengers boarding/alighting about 3/Stop

Number of passengers waiting at a stop is 14.

The Avg. journey time is 1Hr 25Min. 50% of time

for boarding & alighting. Net Travel time is

40Min: Avg. Travel Speed - 45 km/hr

6. Identification of corridors

Fig.2. BRTS Corridors

(Source: BCEOM Consultant Report)

7. Summary of Design Features

Pavement - Flexible Location of Bus way At central median Width of Bus way 3.3 to 3.5 m Length of Platform 25 m Width of Platform 2.5 m Location of Bus stop Near intersection, mostly Land acquisition for road Avoided AFAP Passenger movement at mid-section if platform

provided Through Pedestrian Activated Signals (PAS)

Type of system Combination of partially Open & partially Closed system

Segregation of Bus lanes upto ROW of 30 m & above

8. Details of cross-section design

Fig.3. 30 m cross-section

(Source: Bhopal Municipal Corporation Report)

Fig.4. 24 m cross-section

(Source: Bhopal Municipal Corporation Report)

9. System design features

2.5 m wide central platform where the ROW is between 24-30 m.

Provision of access to adjoining properties by combining pedestrian path, SMV lane & cycle track.

Bus stands at an average distance of 500 m and as per Boarding-Alighting survey results (demand).

Provision of pedestrian actuated signals at bus stop and automatic signalling at intersections.

Advantages of Central Common Platform (Due to

Generally restricted RoW availability in Bhopal with

central divider and Electric poles) :

Saving of space and at the same time provide wider platform, and ease of geometry.

2 m saved space would be distributed to the FMV lanes.

Central existing utilities to be remained undisturbed saving cost.

Exclusive corridor and bus platforms can not be used by other public transport mode (adding to the

operational efficiency).

Easy transformation to a restricted ROW zone from relatively wider zone.

Central wider platform could also accommodate ticketing facility.

Bus Stops

The Bus stop locations are being proposed based on:

Boarding-Alighting survey (demands)

At approximate 500 m interval.

At Signalised intersections

In case of high demands at a mid section - platforms will be provided with at grade pedestrian crossing

and PAS.

Access to Bus Stops at intersections with automatic signalling.

Fig.5. Bus stops (conceptual)

(Source: BCEOM Consultant Report)

10. Bus Technology

Modern low floor buses. Two broad doors which allows passengers to board and alight quickly and easily.

Saving of time and fuel with better km/l. 44 sitting and 40 standing capacity. 8 passengers can alight at a time. Ultra Low Floor = < 400mm Low Floor 650 mm

Various types of Buses available are :

Fig.6. Swing door

Fig.7. Pivot door

Fig.8. Front and Middle Door

Fig.9. High Floor Bus configuration

Fig.10. Low Floor Bus configuration

11. Intelligent Transport System (ITS)

Application of ITS in the following areas are:

Passenger Information

Pre-recorded micro-processor based audio- video information about route , stop , etc.

Use of electronic video display system mounted on the front,side & rear of the bus

for external displays to commuters at stop.

Speakers synchronized with visual displays mounted at the entry - exit gates.

The messages about the route, next stop shall be displayed & changed by manual

intervention by crew.

The messages shall be communicated in English and Hindi.

Tracking for monitoring & control of vehicles There are various options available such as GPS based, RFID based

Fig.11. Bus stop

Fare collection system

Fig.12. Electronic ticket system

12. Conclusions

Hence, it can be concluded that BRTS is the need of the

BHOPAL city because :

It increases the accessibility in the city

It increases the speed of transportation

It improves the safety

It reduces the cost of public transportation and make it

accessible to people of all the economic classes

It reduces the traffic congestion

It popularizes public transport and reduce the

dependability over private vehicles

It improves the traffic management in the city

It improves the environmental conditions by reducing

pollution

It has higher capacity than normal bus service

It is highly flexible

It helps in the equitable allocation of road space

It serves the objective of NUTP

REFERENCES

[1] S. Rokade, H.L. Tiwari and K. Singh, Development of a Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS):An

Introduction, Research paper on BRTS, Bhilai. [2] Bhopal City Development Plan under JnNURM

Report,2008.

[3] National Urban Transport Policy 2005, Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India, May

2005.

[4] World Bank Report,2009. [5] Bus Rapid Transit Planning Guide,June 2007. [6] Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board Report,

October 2005.

[7] Bhopal Municipal Corporation Report,2008. [8] BCEOM Consultant Report,2008.