Performance of Exclusive Bus Lanes in Chennai

Abstract

A bus lane is a lane which is provide only for operating buses and used to avoid traffic congestion. The current bus transit system in Chennai, known as MTC (METROPOLITAN TRANSPORT CORPORATION), is accommodating about 4 million transport units sufficient to accompany increasing number of passengers. Buses have to share the lane with other vehicles, which affects their capacity, speed, reliability, and quality of service. Due to traffic congestions, travel during peak hours in Metropolitan cities has become unattractive. An attempt has been made in this paper to provide lanes only for operation of buses. Three arterial roads connecting Kelambakkam to Sholinganallur, Chennai central to TambaramVandaloor zoo to Tambaram were selected for the study. Traffic volume survey was conducted in these areas. Based upon the survey conducted and analysis made, suggestions are proposed for the exclusive bus lanes for theselected area where traffic congestion is more during peak hours.