[sustran] Exclusive bus lanes - curb side vs. centre

[Paul Barter]

Rajeev Saraf asked:
>Our minister just retuned from Curitiba where they have implemented
>exclusive bus lanes in the centre of the carriageway. We have been
>proposing a bus lane on both sides of the carriageway near the curb.
>We would like to know the pros and cons of one approach vs. the other?
>Under what conditions is one prefereed over the other.
>BTW, I am talking about Delhi and large number of people are using public
>transport ( bus -based).

Has anyone answered your question, Rajeev? Perhaps directly to you, off the
list?  If so, can I suggest that later you post a brief summary of the
replies to the list so that we can all gain from the learning process.

As I understand them, the Curitiba initiatives in transport go much further
and deeper than simply having a busway in the centre of a road.  For a
clear explanation of what was done there (and even more importantly, the
philosophy behind the actions), I suggest you get a copy of:   Robert
Cervero (June 1995) "Creating a Linear City with a Surface Metro: The Story
of Curitiba, Brazil"  (Working Paper 643, National Transit Access Center,
University of California at Berkeley).  US$6.00.      It is available from
Insititute of Urban and Regional Development, 316 Wurster Hall, University
of California, Berkeley, California 94720.  Fax: +1 510 643 9576.    This
working paper provides a good critical analysis of Curitiba's experience.
Some of the other reports I have seen were by people who were directly
involved and are sometimes a little too uncritical.

For a good introduction to the complexities of bus lanes and busways and
the considerations in choosing between the various options, I suggest:
United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) (1993)  "Provision of
Travelway Space for Urban Public Transport in Developing Countries" (UNCHS,
Nairobi).   This booklet contains an overview chapter and a very useful
chapter giving a lot of detail about the Brazilian experience with bus
lanes and busways (and LRT). It also has case studies of the Ankara busway
and Manila LRT.   The Brazil chapter suggests that median bus lanes have
much higher capacity  than kerb bus lanes but somewhat higher costs.   I
suggest you contact Brian Williams at UNCHS in Nairobi to request a copy of
this document.  His contact details are: Brian Williams, Human Settlements
Officer, United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (HABITAT), Research
and Development Division, P.O. Box 30030, Nairobi, Kenya.  TEL: (254 2)
623-916,  FAX: (254 2) 624-265,  EMAIL: brian.williams at unchs.org

I hope this helps,

A. Rahman Paul BARTER
Sustainable Transport Action Network for Asia & the Pacific (SUSTRAN)
c/o Asia Pacific 2000, PO Box 12544,   50782 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Fax: +603 253 2361, E-mail: <tkpb at barter.pc.my>
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