Alternative to rail transit?

[CMStPnP]

Check out this guided busway in Australia.......pretty nifty looking....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4u1tL1MmoA

 

[MidlandMike]

I can see how this might make bus travel safer, however, I don't think this is a  replacement for multi-unit rail transit.

[blue streak 1]

A bus is limited in number of passengers per operator.  Now LAX is considering to  y convert a busway to rail. You can ger much higher capacity during rush hours running rail especially if rail capacity is over 2000 per train.  This conversion shows very careful planning on any route needs to determine futurel loads on that route.

[PJS1]

MidlandMike

  I can see how this might make bus travel safer, however, I don't think this is a  replacement for multi-unit rail transit.

I have ridden the system five or six times.  

The system has at least two observed advantages. 

• The buses run on their own right-of-way; they are not impeded by traffic.

• When the bus gets to the end point or one of the plazas it exits the guidway and continues as a regular bus, either downtown or through one of the suburbs, thereby eliminating the need to transfer from rail to a connecting bus or other vehicle.  

If I remember correctly only Adelaide and one European city have adopted the system.  

[Overmod]

blue streak 1

A bus is limited in number of passengers per operator.  Now LAX is considering to convert a busway to rail. You can get much higher capacity during rush hours running rail especially if rail capacity is over 2000 per train.  This conversion shows very careful planning on any route needs to determine future loads on that route.

Anyone who has seen the counterflow bus lane at the Lincoln Tunnel at rush hour knows the answer to this... and that's without the steering assistance.  Adding something as simple as Distronic to the buses automates the necessary 'follow' safety for drivers unfamiliar with tight following distance.  I should probably not have to mention autonomous platooning as a solution allowing several buses to run "in MU" with minimal personnel for dedicated high-density times while preserving the ability to use each bus for the sorts of service GM touted in the '50s at all the times 'rasshu awa' densities are not necessary... things that LRVs can't do or require expensive conversion of infrastructure to do.

For a very wide range of regional applications busway conversion will make good sense, perhaps especially in communities like Madison, WI that have 'rush minutes' with little congestion in other dayparts ... that starts to verge the idea over to legitimate passenger rather than 'transit' (where I think this should have been posted originally).

[daveklepper]

LA and Pittsburgh have busways.  Pittsburgh's East Busay uses part of the former PRR RoW, with half still used for rail.   The South Busway shares the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel wiht Light Rail and at one time shared part of the eastern of the two routes south to Castle Shannon, paved PRoW, (the via Overbrook line, the other being via Dormont and Mt. Lebanon), but I believe this has been relocated to its own RoW.

Edmonton's transit street has buses and light rail sharing the two lanes.

[PJS1]

daveklepper

 LA and Pittsburgh have busways.  Pittsburgh's East Busay uses part of the former PRR RoW, with half still used for rail.   The South Busway shares the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel wiht Light Rail and at one time shared part of the eastern of the two routes south to Castle Shannon, paved PRoW, (the via Overbrook line, the other being via Dormont and Mt. Lebanon), but I believe this has been relocated to its own RoW. 

I have ridden on the Pittsburgh busway.  Also, I have ridden on the Sydney, Australia busway, which is a converted tram right-of-way.  In both cases the driver steers the bus.  Adelaide is the only system that I have ridden on where the bus is steered by the guideway once the guidewheels are in place.  

[Electroliner 1935]

JPS1

The South Busway shares the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel wiht Light Rail

And the fumes are shared with all vehiclss in the tunnel. I rode it both before the busses were added and after  and it was better before. The air is not as dirty as Union Station in Chicago but the fumes do detract from the ride. There isn't good ventilation in the tunnel.

[PJS1]

Electroliner 1935

   

JPS1

The South Busway shares the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel wiht Light Rail

And the fumes are shared with all vehiclss in the tunnel. I rode it both before the busses were added and after  and it was better before. The air is not as dirty as Union Station in Chicago but the fumes do detract from the ride. There isn't good ventilation in the tunnel. 

 

I just said that I have ridden on the Pittsburgh system.  My brother lives in McKeesport, and we took a ride on it.  I don't remember anything about the quality of the ride or the route.

 

The Adelaide Busway is quick, comfortable, and convenient.  I like the idea of not having to transfer from a rail vehicle to a rubber tire vehicle to complete a journey to the suburbs or downtown.  

[seppburgh2]

A better mouse trap.

[Gramp]

There’s a busway in the Hartford, Ct. area that uses former rail ROW.

[SD70Dude]

daveklepper

Edmonton's transit street has buses and light rail sharing the two lanes.

I believe you mean 7 Avenue in Calgary.  The traffic lights are coordinated so all the trains and buses move forward together, a couple blocks at a time.