Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to investigate the capacity of a proposed bus rapid transit (BRT) station in Cape Town. A bus rapid transit system is a high-capacity public transportation system that carries passengers from one point to another, providing a service that is faster and more efficient than an ordinary bus line. The implementation of these systems is increasing rapidly worldwide, serving as a solution to decrease traffic congestion. The capacity of the proposed bus station, known as the Thibault Station, is investigated in the study by developing a simulation model. The aim is to develop a stochastic simulation model, which represents the flow of passengers throughout the station so that the station capacity can be investigated. By developing a stochastic model as opposed to a deterministic model, elements of uncertainty can be included into the model, thereby representing a system that is closer to the real-life situation under investigation. The majority of BRT systems, as well as past studies undertaken on the Thibault Station, are designed using deterministic calculations. The study commences by researching literature on BRT systems and focuses on the current methods used to calculate station capacity requirements. Thereafter, the concept of simulation is introduced. Simulation is the method chosen to model and evaluate the passenger and bus operations at the Thibault Station. The study presents the methods used to build and verify the simulation model. This is done to familiarise the user with a number of aspects of the model. The model can then be used as a tool to investigate capacity parameters and alternative designs or scenarios. Using the results of these investigations, decisions can ultimately be made regarding the planning and design components of any bus rapid transit station given that the model is adapted. Scenario results, as well as interpretations of performance measurements, are presented at the end of the study. The results can be used for more realistic design of BRT stations using stochastic modelling. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie is om ondersoek in te stel na die kapasiteit van „n hoëspoed bus vervoer stelsel (BRT). Die ondersoek is gebaseer op „n voorgestelde bus stelsel vir Kaapstad. „n BRT-stelsel is „n hoë-kapasiteit publieke vervoerstelsel wat passasiers van een punt na „n ander vervoer, deur „n diens te verskaf wat vinniger en meer doeltreffend is as „n gewone bus stelsel. Die implementering van hierdie tipe stelsels neem wêreldwyd toe en dien as „n oplossing om verkeersopeenhopings te verminder. Die spesifieke busstasie wat ondersoek word staan bekend as die Thibault Stasie van Kaapstad se BRT-stelsel. Die kapasiteit van die stasie word ondersoek deur middel van simulasiemodellering. Die doel is om „n stogastiese simulasiemodel wat die vloei van passasiers modelleer te ontwikkel ten einde die kapasiteit van die stasie te ondersoek. Deur „n stogastiese model in plaas van „n deterministiese model te gebruik, kan elemente van onsekerheid ingesluit word. Dit verteenwoordig dus „n stelsel wat nader aan die werklikheid is. Tans word meeste BRT-stelsels ontwerpe gebaseer op deterministiese berekeninge, asook historiese studies wat onderneem is oor die Thibault Stasie. Die studie begin deur literatuur oor BRT-stelsels te bestudeer en fokus daarna op die huidige metodes wat gebruik word om die vereiste kapasiteit van „n busstasie te bepaal. Die konsep van simulasie word daarna voorgestel. Simulasie is die metode wat in die studie gebruik word om die passasier- en busaktiwiteite van die Thibault Stasie te modelleer en te evalueer. Die studie verskaf die metodes wat gebruik word vir die ontwikkeling en geldigmaak van die simulasiemodel. Gebruikers word op dié manier blootgestel aan die verskillende aspekte van die model. Nadat die gebruikers vertroud is met sekere aspekte van die model, word die model verder uiteengesit en word daar verduidelik hoe dit as „n instrument om kapasiteit parameters en alternatiewe ontwerpe van busstasies te ondersoek kan dien. Die resultate van die model kan gebruik word om beplannings- en ontwerpbesluite van enige busstasie te neem. Aan die einde van die studie word scenarioresultate bekendgestel, asook die interpretasie daarvan. Die resultate kan gebruik word vir meer realistiese ontwerp van BRT-stasies met behulp van stogastiese simulasie modellering.

This research project is designed to enhance the planning process that can aid authorities moving towards sustainable and economically feasible local and regional mobility systems. The improvements that have been made to transit so far have not been successful in breaking the trend of increasing car traffic and decreasing transit trip making. This means that sustainable mobility is a complex system which also encompasses changing attitudes and behaviours, integrating spatial and energy planning into it, and looking upstream to affect the causes of the problem instead of downstream to just fix its consequences. Environmental impacts (noise, pollution, health problems), accidents and congestion are all by-products of transport activities – they are the so-called external costs – and must be made part of the equation. European guidelines were analysed, as well as the results of many of the European Union‘s mobility research programs. The core of the research analyses how to move Karlskrona municipality‘s mobility system towards its vision of success in the future through the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development – Sustainable Mobility (FSSD-SM). Backcasting from a sustainable vision in the long-term future is central to this process. The Municipality of Karlskrona, in Sweden, is the case study. A sustainability analysis of Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) systems was undertaken to determine the feasability of integrating this modal system into the mobility solution for Karlskrona municipality.

Rapid growth in suburb-to-suburb commuting has created a problem for transit providers: the dispersed commuting patterns are very difficult to serve with transit, and are characterized by low transit use. This thesis aims to determine which markets have the best potential for transit, and what factors could increase this potential. Surrey, B.C. is typical of the rapidly growing areas where suburb-to-suburb commuting is most prevalent. Commuting between Surrey and other suburban areas has increased sharply in recent years. A detailed examination of commuting patterns within Surrey revealed the highly dispersed nature of the work trip flows; the only flows which were concentrated to any degree were those between nodes with relatively high population and employment densities. A correlation was found between density, especially employment density, and transit use. Inter-nodal trips, which already have the greatest transit use among suburb-to-suburb trips, will be a key market for transit in the suburbs. Inter-nodal express service would help to address complaints that suburb-to-suburb transit service is too slow and indirect. Trips to and from the nodes will also be an important market. Intra-nodal trips, which presently have low transit use, form another key market which could possibly be served by a paratransit shuttle service. In Surrey, efforts have begun to address the issue of suburb-to-suburb transit in a comprehensive manner, but there has been little substantive progress to date. The case study results were used to develop a conceptual framework for suburb-to-suburb transit planning which could then be applied to other suburban areas facing similar problems. The framework calls for a wide array of transit and paratransit services, each filling a different market niche, which can be combined to create an integrated but flexible system. This system must be reinforced with land use strategies to promote greater densities, and more pedestrian and transit friendly design. Transportation demand management must also be used to encourage transit use by increasing the costs of driving an automobile. This three-pronged, comprehensive approach should allow transit to compete successfully in some suburban markets. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

A city's intersections are places or voids where the trajectories, paths and commuter routes of a cities citizens collide. They are points of momentary stasis. At intersections the agents of speed and haste characteristic of the flow of the city are brought to a collective pause. The challenge of this thesis was to bring about an architectural representation of this negotiation between flow and pause. There was a desire to see the commuterscape of Vancouver as a way of allowing different publics and contrasting programmes the opportunity for chance encounters and collisions. This desire led to the design of a building which served as an intersection, sometimes carefully controlled while at others free and open to the random flows of urbanism. The site at the corner of Main and Terminal streets in Vancouver was chosen because it is a place where the di verse social, economic and historical fabrics of the city are intersecting. This site is the busiest at grade intersection in Vancouver where skytrain and bus passengers, car drivers and pedestrians are variously pushed together and pulled apart. Commuter space and commuter movement through that space are generally assumed to be unproductive, uninfected movement through vacuous and empty space. This thesis challenges that view by inserting a building into this commuter space to utilize the potentials for exchange, negotiation and encounter offered by such a space. The building is made up of two very different programs - one containing a series of small performing arts theatres, the other commercial and rentable office space. In between the two, the inbound and outbound skytrain tracks and a public walkway create varying perceptual experiences which mediate between the two different typologies. The public zones of the building are used to link the varied programs together and to create connections to the surrounding park and buildings. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), School of / Graduate

Over the last few years, public transportation has become more desirable as capacity of existing roadways failed to keep up with rapidly increasing traffic demand. Buses are one of the most common modes of public transportation with low impact on network capacity, especially in small and congested urban areas. However, the use of regularly scheduled buses as the main public transport mode can become useless with the presence of traffic congestion and dense construction areas. In cases like these, innovative solutions, such as bus rapid transit (BRT), can provide an increased level of service without having to resort to other, more expensive modes, such as light rail transit (LRT) and metro systems (subways). Transit signal priority (TSP), which provides priority to approaching buses at signalized intersections by extending the green or truncating the red, can also increase the performance of the bus service. Understanding the combined impact of TSP and BRT on network traffic operations can be complex. Although TSP has been implemented worldwide, none of the previous studies have examined in depth the effects of using conditional and unconditional TSP strategies with a BRT system. The objective of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of BRT without TSP, then with conditional or unconditional TSP strategies. The micro-simulation software VISSIM was used to compare different TSP and BRT scenarios. These simulation scenarios include the base scenario (before implementation of the TSP and BRT systems), Unconditional TSP (TSP activates for all buses), Conditional TSP 3 minutes behind (TSP only activates for buses that are 3 minutes or more behind schedule), Conditional TSP 5 minutes behind (only activates for buses 5 minutes or more behind schedule), BRT with no TSP, BRT with Unconditional TSP, BRT with Conditional TSP 3 minutes behind, and BRT with Conditional TSP 5 minutes behind. The VISSIM simulation model was developed, calibrated and validated using a variety of data that was collected in the field. These data included geometric data, (number of lanes, intersection geometries, etc.); traffic data (average daily traffic volumes at major intersections, turning movement percentages at intersections, heavy vehicle percentages, bus passenger data, etc.); and traffic control data (signal types, timings and phasings, split history, etc.). Using this field data ensured the simulation model was sufficient for modeling the test corridor. From this model, the main performance parameters (for all vehicles and for buses only) for through movements in both directions (eastbound and westbound) along the corridor were analyzed for the various BRT/TSP scenarios. These parameters included average travel times, average speed profiles, average delays, and average number of stops. As part of a holistic approach, the effects of BRT and TSP on crossing street delay were also evaluated. Simulation results showed that TSP and BRT scenarios were effective in reducing travel times (up to 26 %) and delays (up to 64%), as well as increasing the speed (up to 47%), compared to the base scenario. The most effective scenarios were achieved by combining BRT and TSP. Results also showed that BRT with Conditional TSP 3 minutes behind significantly improved travel times (17 – 26%), average speed (30 – 39%), and average total delay per vehicle (11 – 32%) for the main corridor through movements compared with the base scenario, with only minor effects on crossing street delays. BRT with Unconditional TSP resulted in significant crossing street delays, especially at major intersections with high traffic demand, which indicates that this scenario is impractical for implementation in the corridor. Additionally, BRT with Conditional TSP 3 minutes behind had better travel time savings than BRT with Conditional TSP 5 minutes behind for both travel directions, making this the most beneficial scenario. This research provided an innovative approach by using nested sets (hierarchical design) of TSP and BRT combination scenarios. Coupled with microscopic simulation, nested sets in the hierarchical design are used to evaluate the effectiveness of BRT without TSP, then with conditional or unconditional TSP strategies. The robust methodology developed in this research can be applied to any corridor to understand the combined TSP and BRT effects on traffic performance. Presenting the results in an organized fashion like this can be helpful in decision making. This research investigated the effects of BRT along I-Drive corridor (before and after conditions) at the intersection level. Intersection analysis demonstrated based on real life data for the before and after the construction of BRT using the Highway Capacity SoftwareTM (HCS2010) that was built based on the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM 2010) procedures for urban streets and signalized intersections. The performance measure used in this analysis is the level of service (LOS) criteria which depends on the control delay (seconds per vehicle) for each approach and for the entire intersection. The results show that implementing BRT did not change the LOS. However, the control delay has improved at most of the intersections' approaches. The majority of intersections operated with an overall LOS "C" or better except for Kirkman Road intersection (T2) with LOS "E" because it has the highest traffic volumes before and after BRT construction. This research also used regression analysis to observe the effect of the tested scenarios analyzed in VISSIM software compared to the No TSP – No BRT base model for all vehicles and for buses only. The developed regression model can predict the effect of each scenario on each studied Measures of Performance (MOE). Minitab statistical software was used to conduct this multiple regression analysis. The developed models with real life data input are able to predict how proposed enhancements change the studied MOEs. The BRT models presented in this research can be used for further sensitivity analysis on a larger regional network in the upcoming regional expansion of the transit system in Central Florida. Since this research demonstrated the operational functionality and effectiveness of BRT and TSP systems in this critical corridor in Central Florida, these systems' accomplishments can be expanded throughout the state of Florida to provide greater benefits to transit passengers. Furthermore, to demonstrate the methodology developed in this research, it is applied to a test corridor along International Drive (I-Drive) in Orlando, Florida. This corridor is key for regional economic prosperity of Central Florida and the novel approach developed in this dissertation can be expanded to other transit systems.

Bus rapid transit (BRT) is an innovative bus system with sophisticated vehicles and inflexible busways integrated in the cities, high capacity and high quality, high speed and frequency, distinctive image and comfort. Many in Sweden believe that is impossible to introduce BRT, even though the Swedish towns and cities can benefit from the image, speed and frequency that BRT symbolizes. The archipelago-like urbanization, urban sprawl and the uncompetitive journey times of public transportation compared with the private car are identified as main obstacles. New questions emerged: Is it possible to transform and adjust the Swedish towns and cities for BRT? What demands BRT? How is transit-oriented development (TOD) applicable in a Swedish context as a policy to integrate cities and BRT? In this licentiate thesis I investigate the interrelationship between bus transportation and neighborhoods, between BRT and urban form as well as the possibilities to introduce busways and BRT, to trigger TOD and to transform the Swedish towns and cities for BRT. Much has been written about BRT, but seldom by architects or urban planners and designers. BRT and TOD are seen though urban form and processes of urbanization within a morphological tradition established by Kevin Lynch. BRT is represented by paths and nodes that disperse distinctive attractiveness pattern of desirability cores that shape neighborhoods as districts. TOD is about synchronizing the everyday urban life with public transportation systems. BRT-TOD is defined as a policy to recognize desirability cores spread by the different infrastructures of BRT and promote development of urban form within their attractiveness pattern at urban and regional scale. BRT-TOD is discussed as a concept of BRT metropolis in context of the urbanization of Swedish towns and cities.  TOD is defined morphologically as public transport cities. A public transport city is a city that in its development adapted to specific public transportation systems. TOD is nothing new in Europe or Sweden. To find regularities of the effect of public transportation systems on cities I do a historical overview of the Swedish towns and cities. In the end the position of bus and BRT, public transport cities and TOD and possibilities of future urban transformation of the smaller and larger Swedish cities towards BRT metropolises are discussed in context of today’s “‘system’ of automobility” and widespread car society and the emerging knowledge society and its postmodern fringes of urbanization. / <p>QC 20130917</p>

This study investigates the institutional learning from attempts at securing affordable housing inclusion within Transit-Oriented Developments (TOD) through institutional change in Reykjavík, Iceland. As Reykjavík embarks on the ambitious City Line project, a bus-rapid transit network aimed at sustainably shaping urban growth, ensuring affordable housing near transit stations has become critical. Past attempts to achieve housing affordability have fallen short since Reykjavík still, to this day, experiences a great lack of affordable housing. Thus, this research employs an institutional learning framework to explore the barriers to and opportunities for ensuring affordable housing in TODs. Through expert interviews and document analysis, the study’s findings highlight the institutional challenges hindering the realisation of affordable housing goals within TODs. These include the vagueness of upper-level policies and terminology, the influence of land ownership, and implementation gaps in planning. Additionally, the research identifies opportunities for institutional change, such as strengthening standardisation from state-level policies, including principles of transit-accessible development in the extensions and re-evaluation of the City Line network, and addressing issues of timescale alignment between the implementation of TODs and the City Line. The study contributes to the limited Icelandic literature on institutional analysis in urban planning and offers ideas for enhancing social inclusivity and housing accessibility for Reykjavík’s future transit communities.

This study examines potential transportation improvements in the Elysian Fields Avenue Corridor, and the benefit that these improvements may produce. Data for the study area are compiled and analyzed. Conceptual plans for the implementation of different transit technology alternatives were developed and assessed in terms of user benefits, cost, potential land use impacts, potential economic impacts, and feasibility. Case studies and relevant literature are reviewed. The intent of this thesis is to provide an overview of the study area prior and subsequent to Hurricane Katrina, develop plans for the implementation of transit alternatives in the Elysian Fields Avenue Corridor, and assess potential costs and benefits of the different alternatives developed.

The work deals with two problems of mass rapid transit system operation: The development of flexible timetables and the realisation of flexible timetables. In both cases, genetic algorithms are used. In the process of (flexible) timetabling in suburban railways, a transport offer perfectly adapted to demand is searched for (temporal and spatial adaptation of demand as well as adaptation of capacity of the trains). After determination of the number of train runs per line and hour and their capacity, optimal departure times have to be found (with a precision of a minute down to 10 s), which fulfil criterias of the passengers (short waiting times) as well as of the operator (small number of vehicles needed). Two different codings for use with genetic algorithms have therefore been developed. They are tested on several case studies of the Dresden suburban railway network, assuming different degrees of flexibilisation. In the process of realising a flexible timetable, transitions between train headways as well as running time and dwell time reserves (margins in the order of a few seconds) are slightly modified in order to coordinate braking and accelerating trains and thereby reduce energy costs of a system of trains. Genetic algorithms can be applied for this problem as well, the proposed methods are tested on several case studies (S-Bahn Berlin, Metro Lille). / Die Arbeit behandelt zwei Probleme der Betriebsplanung von Stadtschnellbahnen: Die Erstellung flexibler Fahrpläne und die Umsetzung flexibler Fahrpläne. In beiden Fällen werden zur Lösung Genetische Algorithmen verwendet. Bei der Ermittlung flexibler Fahrpläne von S-Bahnen wird ein bestmöglich an die Verkehrsnachfrage angepasstes Verkehrsangebot gesucht (zeitlich, räumlich und bezüglich der Kapazität der einzelnen Züge angepasst). Nach stundenfeiner Festlegung der Fahrtenhäufigkeiten und Kapazitäten der einzelnen, sich überlagernden Linien werden deren Abfahrtszeiten gesucht (mit einer Genauigkeit von Minuten bis etwa 10 s), so dass sowohl die Wünsche der Fahrgäste nach gleichmäßigen Zugfolgezeiten als auch Betreiberwünsche (geringe Fahrzeuganzahl) erfüllt werden. Hierzu werden zwei verschiedene Kodierungen für die Verwendung mit Genetischen Algorithmen vorgestellt und das geschaffene Verfahren an verschiedenen Flexibilisierungsszenarien für die S-Bahn Dresden erprobt. Bei der Umsetzung flexibler Fahrpläne, die sich im Bereich weniger Sekunden abspielt, werden Übergänge zwischen Zugfolgezeiten, Fahr- und Haltezeitreserven geringfügig modifiziert, so dass durch bestmögliche Koordination von Anfahr- und Bremsvorgängen eines Systems von Zügen die Energiekosten minimal werden. Methodisch werden wiederum Genetische Algorithmen verwendet, die Erprobung des Verfahrens erfolgt anhand von Linien der S-Bahn Berlin und der Metro in Lille.

Im bisherigen Auslegungsprozess wird ein Bahnsystem in der Regel in Teilsysteme zerlegt, die nacheinander und für sich betrachtet entworfen werden. Das Verhalten des Gesamtsystems im geplanten täglichen Betrieb wird nur für wenige Varianten mittels Simulation überprüft. In dieser Arbeit wird der Ansatz vorgestellt, ein elektrisches Bahnsystem als Optimierungsaufgabe zu modellieren und diese mit einem geeigneten mathematischen Suchverfahren zu lösen, um Wechselwirkungen im Gesamtsystem bereits während der Dimensionierung berücksichtigen zu können. Zu diesem Zweck wird ein mehrkriterieller genetischer Algorithmus mit Zugfahrtsimulation und Netzberechnung gekoppelt, um ein für elektrische Bahnen entwickeltes Optimierungsmodell zu lösen. Am Beispiel einer realen Metrostrecke wird das Verfahren auf seine Eignung getestet und die erzielten Ergebnisse bewertet. / In the previous design process the electric railway system was subdivided into subsystems that are conceived one after the other and independent of each other. The performance of the complete railway system under realistic operation conditions can only be verified for some very few variants using simulation tools. The paper presents an approach to formulate an electric railway system as a self-contained optimization problem solved by means of a mathematical optimization method in order to consider interactions within the system in the early stage of the design process. Therefore a multi-objective genetic algorithm is coupled with both train simulation and electrical network calculation solving an optimization model specially designed for electrical railway systems. The proposed method is tested on an actual metro system. The results of this case study are presented and evaluated.