Helping Buses Run on Time

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Helping Buses Run on Time

• Paul Crowther
• Principal Public Transport Officer
• Brighton Hove City Council

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Importance of Reliability

• Unreliability causes greatest upset
• Unreliability is cited by non-users as a reason
  for continuing to use the car
• Unreliability exaggerates feeling of personal
  insecurity
• Reliability monitored by Traffic Commissioner

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Partnership

• Both Local Authority and Bus Operators seek
  common outcome
• But Local Authority does not run buses..
• ..and Bus Operator is not Highway Authority
• Partnership is the key to meeting joint objectives

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Bus Priority, Management and Information System

• Wanted system which would -
  
• Allow bus priority at traffic signals
• Provide and display automatic vehicle location
• Provide city-wide Real Time Information

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Procurement Process

• Specification prepared
• Advert in European Journal
• 14 expressions of interest
• 6 shortlisted
• Applied Best Value Criteria
• Chose Siemens Astral system

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How Does System Work?

• Every bus fitted with a transponder
• Signal intercepted by satellites
• Computes exact location (/- 5 metres)
• Duty rosters computerised
• System compares actual Vs. scheduled
• Hence establish early / late / on time

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How Does System Work?

• Data fed to Urban Traffic Control Centre to hold
  / provide green light phase for late running
  buses
• Data fed to operators Control Centre to give
  details of bus location and status
• Data fed to Real Time Information Signs on street

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TRAFFIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Signals to Bus Signs
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Mission Control
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Outcomes

• 4.7 patronage growth in 12 months
• Widespread acclaim
• Winner of 2002 National Transport Award
• Improved reliability
• Increased passenger confidence
• Applying for Beacon Council status

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What Happens Next?

• Expand coverage of signs
• Introduce Sieflag and voice messaging
• Expand system beyond city boundary
• More operators to join system
• Links to internet, WAP phones etc.
• Comet

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TRAFFIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
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Experiences

• Positive
• Partnership
• Chief Officer support
• Member support
• Customer enthusiasm
• Autonomous company
• Driver enthusiasm

• Less Positive
• Human resources
• Workload
• Time to convert buses
• Teething problems
• Expectations
• Costs

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Key Conclusion

• Partnership