Mode succession in a public transit corridor

Abstract

There are many transit modes, technologies and operating strategies to apply within developing transit corridors. The selection of mode will have a significant impact on the level of service, capital and operating costs, energy use, environmental impacts and transit market development. Additionally, in developing communities this is not a static decision, indeed over decades there could be several mode changes as the market within the corridor grows and matures. The appropriate transit response over time may cover a range of services: e.g. regular mainline bus, express bus, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Busways, Light Rail Transit (LRT) & Metro. Our paper will examine the appropriate decision factors and planning considerations that would lead to optimum mode selection decisions in developing corridors. The paper will examine the transit market in developing corridors in terms of changing trip densities and corridor volumes and the appropriate mode response. Factors that impact the decision may include system capacity, access, travel time, the schedule, reliability, customer experience factors, energy use, environmental impacts, capital and operating costs, etc. We will propose methodologies for optimizing mode selection and design as a corridor evolves, and selection of an optimum series of modes and transition points for a corridor over a long period of time. © 2009 WIT Press.