John Devney

AITPM National Conference 2014Redesigning Bus Networks to be Simpler, Faster and More ConnectedAdelaide, South Australia Wednesday 13th August 2014

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

Challenges for Bus Network Planning

Population growth with higher density inner areas

Changing customer markets

Maximise opportunities between suburban centres

Need for stability and robustness in the bus network

Complex bus network for infrequent or new customers

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

Route 509 – The “No” Hope Street Story

2 km with 20 minute frequency

Operated between 2 tram lines

Low, but loyal patronage

High community support

After 50 years, resources were redeployed in Sept 2012

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

• SimplerEasier to get to know the routesMore convenient to find the stops

• FasterLess time on the bus and waiting for itMore dependable

• More ConnectedConnected to more placesMore positive bus travel experiences

“I can figure it out”

“I can count on it to arrive on time”

“I have more options to travel to

more places”

Rationale for a Customer-focussed Bus Network

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

Proposed Simpler Bus Network Hierarchy

Frequent

Regular

Supplemental

As least every 15 minutes from 7 am to 7 pm operating 7 days

On most the direct corridors with maximum use of bus priority

As demand requires

Local feeders to activity centres

Peak expresses

Crosstown connectors

As least every 30 minutes during daytime at least 6 days / week

On arterial and collector road network to maximise coverage

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

Sydney’s Bus Future (2013)

Three tier service hierarchy

Defined by service frequency and type of route

Rapid routes have highest need for infrastructure

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

Sydney’s Bus Future

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

TransLink in Vancouver, Canada

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

Frequent Transit Network in Vancouver, Canada

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

Auckland Regional Public Transport Plan (2013)

Four service layers

Defined by minimum frequency and operating hours

Level of bus priority

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

High Frequency BUZ in Brisbane, Queensland

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

Rapid Routes in Canberra, ACT

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

Hi-Frequency Network in Minneapolis, USA

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

Other Frequent Bus Networks in the USA

• Denver, Colorado• Los Angeles, California• Houston, Texas• Seattle, Washington

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

Frequent Transit Network in Portland, Oregon

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

New Frequent Bus Corridors in Australia

Route 950 SuperBus in Perth that merged 4 other routes between UWA and Morley

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

Assessment of Australian Bus Network Planning

Type of Network Attribute Classification Definition

Metro Route Class

Metro CBD Operates within metropolitan area only and to the CBD (city centre)

Non-CBD Metro Does not enter the metropolitan CBD

Regional Does not enter the metropolitan area or does not have stops within the metro area, but in CBD only

Stopping Pattern

All-stops All-stops for entire route

Limited Widely-spaced stops on average of 500 m apart outside of CBD

Express Most of route skips stops; all stops within CBD

Metropolitan route class

Stopping pattern

CBD or non-CBD route type

Service frequency

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

Bus Route Classifications

Type of Network Attribute Classification Definition

CBD Route Type  

Internal Entire route is within CBD (free shuttle buses)

Through Route passes through the CBD or is through-linked to other routes

Terminating Route terminates with a layover facility in the metropolitan CBD

Non-CBD Route Type  

Local Operates locally within the region

Cross-regional Operates between regions

Inter-regional Operates external to the metropolitan area

Service Frequency

Frequent 7 days/week; services every 15 minutes in the inter-peak period; more frequently in peak periods

Regular 6 or 7 days/week; services every 30 minutes in the inter-peak period

Supplemental 5 or 6 days/week or less; services every 60 minutes in inter-peak period or peak period only

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

Bus Networks to the CBD in Australian Cities

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

Bus Stopping Patterns in Australian Bus Networks

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

Types of CBD Routes in Australian Bus Networks

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

Route Service Frequencies in Australian Cities

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

Guiding Principles for Connected Bus Networks

• Simpler Improve legibility with 3 level route hierarchyMinimise route duplication

• FasterManage stop spacing and stop loading Improve reliability with suitable bus priority measures

• More ConnectedMaximise transfer options with a connected network Improve amenity at bus interchanges

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

Bus Network Guiding Principles

Network Design Process

Spatial Attributes

Time Elements

- Plan with a Bus Network Hierarchy - Redesign Bus Networks to Connect- Maximise Timetable Coordination - Identify Bus Interchange Locations

- Minimise Route Duplications- Increase Travel Directness- Increase Network Connectivity - Manage Stop Spacing

- Promote All-Day Travel Demand - Improve Service Frequencies- Increase Bus Reliability and Speeds- Identify Infrastructure for Bus Priority

Better for more connections to

other places

Simpler for a bus network that is easier to use

Faster for more reliable, frequent

services

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

National Conversation about Frequency

Definition of “turn up and go”

What is a “high frequency network”?

Consistent route hierarchy throughout Australia

Common terminology within bus network planning

AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide

The Challenge for Simpler, Faster and More Connected Bus Networks

Questions?