A new approach to evaluating on-road public transport priority projects: balancing the demand for limited road-space

Despite widespread growth in on-road public transport priority schemes, road management authorities have few tools to evaluate the impacts of these schemes on all road users. This paper describes a methodology developed in Melbourne, Australia to assist the road management authority, VicRoads, evaluate trade-offs in the use of its limited road-space for new bus and tram priority projects. The approach employs traffic micro-simulation modelling to assess road-space re-allocation impacts, travel behaviour modelling to assess changes in travel patterns and a social cost benefit framework to evaluate impacts. The evaluation considers a comprehensive range of impacts including the environmental benefits of improved public transport services. Impacts on public transport reliability improvements are also considered. Although improved bus and tram reliability is a major rationale for traffic priority its use in previous evaluations is rare. The paper critiques previous approaches, describes the proposed method and explores some of the results found in its application. A major finding is that despite a more comprehensive approach to measuring the benefits of bus and tram priority, road-space reallocation is difficult to economically justify in road networks where public transport usage is low and car usage high. Strategies involving the balanced deployment of bus and tram priority measures where the allocation of time and space to PT minimises negative traffic impacts is shown to improve the overall management of road-space. A discussion of the approach is also provided including suggestions for further methodology development. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007Bus priority, Economic evaluation, Road space management, Traffic simulation, Traffic planning, Tram priority,

New approaches to strategic urban transport assessment

Most transport assessment is generally based on incremental analysis of individual projects with pre-existing planning and political support. Unfortunately,this approach to transport decision-making is unlikely to result in cities being able to meet a comprehensive range of desired urban objectives on a broader-scale over time. Project analysis is generally based on benefit-cost analysis and intermediate metrics (vehicle kilometres travelled,time savings and road user costs). But additional metrics and attributes may be needed to assess goals and performance relating to broader transport outcomes in a metropolitan region and its society,environment and economy. ‘Higher level’ strategic urban transport analysis offers the opportunity of a more strategic platform for metropolitan region-wide transport policy discussion,assessment,planning and network improvements. It may also assist to demonstrate mass transit,walking and cycling’s unique opportunities to contribute to better city futures through economic development,sustainability, and lifestyle improvements. In the realm of mass transit, improvements can be delivered by targeted changes in policy,infrastructure and network enhancements,improved service characteristics,better network utilisation,and stronger system financial performance. Performance of passenger rail networks,corridors and proposals is a substantial research focus,but improvements to rail over time should ultimately be reflected in a wider set of outcomes and measurables. This paper reviews established literature and research on transport analysis approaches,to identify key performance indicators at an urban or metropolitan level,metrics on the utilisation and effectiveness of rail mass transit,accessibility indicators,and a handful of broader social,economic and environmental performance indicators