Bus Rapid Transit System : An Analysis of Bhopal City

S. Rokade* and S. Gupta **

Department of Civil Engineering
Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal 462051, India
*Asstt. Professor, Email: r_sid@rediffmail.com (Corresponding Author)
** PG Student, Email: sumeet17@hotmail.com
Abstract
Bus Rapid Transit System or BRTS is a bus based high quality,
high capacity rapid transit system that delivers fast, comfortable
and cost effective urban mobility. In a BRT system, vehicles
travel in exclusive lanes, thus avoiding congestion. There is a
provision of segregated right-of-way infrastructure, rapid and
frequent bus operations, easy boarding and alighting facilities
for the passengers and excellence in marketing and customer
service.

BRT combines the performance and amenities of a modern rail
based transit system with the flexibility and cost advantages of
roadway transit. BRT can be built in phases with future
expansion options. BRT is a cost effective transit option
available to improve the environment, enhance mobility and
promote livable cities. BRT applications are designed to be
appropriate to the market they serve and their physical
surroundings and they can be incrementally implemented in a
variety of environments. In brief, BRT is an integrated system of
facilities, services, and amenities that collectively improves the
speed, reliability, and identity of bus transit.

The transportation system in Bhopal city requires significant
improvements. The complex and heterogeneous traffic pool,
largely dominated by non-motorized vehicles (especially
rickshaws), poorly maintained motorized vehicles, and the lack
of enforcement of traffic rules, creates serious and often
unbearable congestion and heavy pollution in the citys streets.
In a city inhabited by more than 18 lakhs people, predominantly
representing the middle and lower-middle class, a well-
organized low-cost bus transportation system is yet to emerge to
resolve the citys transportation problems. This study explores
ways of improving bus transportation services in Bhopal.

Also, the salient features of BRTS like improved stations and
shelters, cleaner and quieter vehicles, exclusive lanes and
applications of Intelligent Transport System (ITS) in BRTS are
discussed in the paper. Through ITS, such as real-time
information displays, customers gain vital system knowledge
that makes journeys more efficient & less stressful. ITS also
sometimes plays an important role in system management by
giving the BRT authority the power to track and control the
speed and location of operators.

Keywords :- Bus Rapid Transit System, Intelligent Transport
System, Exclusive Bus Lanes.



















1. Introduction

Effective public transit is central to development. For the
vast majority of developing city residents, public transit is the
only practical means to access employment, education, and
public services, especially when such services are beyond the
viable distance of walking or cycling. Unfortunately, the
current state of public transit services in developing cities
often does little to serve the actual mobility needs of the
population. Bus services are too often unreliable,
inconvenient and dangerous. In response, transport planners
and public officials have sometimes turned to extremely
costly mass transit alternatives such as rail-based metros.

Due to the high costs of rail infrastructure, cities can only
construct such systems over a few kilometres in a few limited
corridors. The result is a system that does not meet the
broader transport needs of the population. Nevertheless, the
municipality ends up with a long-term debt that can affect
investment in more pressing areas such as health, education,
water, and sanitation. However, there is an alternative
between poor public transit service and high municipal debt.
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) can provide high-quality, metro -
like transit service at a fraction of the cost of other options
This module provides municipal officials, non-governmental
organizations, consultants, and others with an introduction to
the concept of BRT as well as a step-by-step process for
successfully planning a BRT system.

Bhopal is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. As
per 2001 census, the population of Bhopal district is 18.38
lakhs out of which 14.35 lakhs live in Bhopal city,in 66
wards, covering a gross area of 285 sq. km. including the
lakes and hills. This makes it a low-density city of 50 persons
per hectare gross and 63 persons net if the lake area of 38 sq.
km. is deducted. Even if the areas of steep hills are
discounted, the density on habitable land remains low at 80
persons per hectare. Essentially Bhopal is a city of inhabited
pockets with open areas and natural barriers in between.

Bhopal is located on hilly terrain within the Malwa Plateau
(23 16N, 77 22E). National Highway 12 (Beora Jabalpur
road), which links the city to many large cities in the north
west and the south east. State Highways connect Indore and
Sagar. The city is connected by the broad gauge railway line
to Nagpur, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai. The city is also
served by regular air services to Mumbai, Delhi and Indore.

2. Concept of Bus Rapid Transit System

Bus Rapid Transit System is a new form of public
transportation which is an emerging approach to using buses
as an improved high-speed transit system. Bus Rapid Transit
involves coordinated improvements in a transit systems
infrastructure, equipment, operations, and technology that
give preferential treatment to buses on urban roadways.

2.1 Salient features of BRTS
BRTS may also include any of the following features :
Improved stations and shelters. Bus terminals and unique
stations or shelters differentiate Bus Rapid Transit
service from standard bus service. Intelligent
Transportation System technologies. Advanced
technology can maintain more consistent distances
between buses and inform passengers when the next bus
is arriving.



Fig.1. Bogota TransMilenio BRTS

Cleaner and quieter vehicles. Improved diesel buses and
buses using alternative-fuels are cleaner than traditional
diesel buses.
Exclusive Lanes. Traffic lanes reserved for the exclusive
use of buses help buses pass congested traffic.

Bus Rapid Transit also has the advantage of establishing a
mass transit corridor and building Bus Rapid Transit systems
can have lower capital costs than Other MRTS Options yet
can often provide similar performance. Further, Bus Rapid
Transits flexibility may be a potentially valuable feature for
many communities with sprawling patterns of development,
where public transportation needs can be more complex and
difficult to address than focusing on a single central business
district.
3. Need of BRTS in the city

Bhopal is a fastest growing industrial city of
Madhya Pradesh.

It is one of the metropolitan cities in the state.


Its population size was 14.33 lakhs in 2001, and is
projected to be 21.21 lakhs by 2025.

To meet the increasing travel demands of the city in
an efficient, convenient, safe and economical
manner, planning, development, operation and
management of the transport system of Bhopal is
important to sustain the economic viability,
productivity and competitiveness of Bhopal city.

Most importantly, National Urban Transport Policy
(NUTP) also suggests the introduction of BRTS as a
public transport technology for metropolitan cities.
The objective of this policy is to ensure safe,
affordable, quick, comfortable, reliable and
sustainable access for the growing number of city
residents to jobs, education, recreation and such
other needs within our cities. This is sought to be
achieved by:
Incorporating urban transportation as an
important parameter at the urban planning
stage rather than being a consequential
requirement
Encouraging integrated land use and transport
planning so that travel distances are minimized
and access to livelihoods, education, and other
social needs, especially for the marginal
segments of the urban population is improved
Bringing about a more equitable allocation of
road space with people, rather than vehicles, as
its main focus
Investing in transport systems that encourage
greater use of public transport and non-
motorized modes instead of personal motor
vehicles
Introducing Intelligent Transport Systems for
traffic management
Increasing effectiveness of regulatory and
enforcement mechanisms
Addressing concerns on road safety and trauma
response
Reducing pollution levels through changes in
travelling practices, better enforcement, stricter
norms, technological improvements, etc.


4. Details of sub-cities of Bhopal

Table 1 Self contained sub-cities of Bhopal

S.No. Name of Sub-city Estimated
Population(Lakhs)
1. Bairagh 2.00
2. Old-city 4.00
3. Capital city(TT Nagar) 3.50
4. BHEL Township 2.50
5. Service Township(BHEL
Extn.)
2.50
6. Misrod 8.00
7. Neori 2.50

(Source: Bhopal Municipal Corporation Report)

5. Operational characteristics of existing public transport
The average route length is about 27 km.
Most of the routes pass through old city area,
because of demand.
Frequent request stops.
The number of passenger per trip is about 46.
Passengers on board at any time 14.
Passengers boarding/alighting about 3/Stop
Number of passengers waiting at a stop is 14.
The Avg. journey time is 1Hr 25Min. 50% of time
for boarding & alighting. Net Travel time is
40Min: Avg. Travel Speed - 45 km/hr

6. Identification of corridors



Fig.2. BRTS Corridors

(Source: BCEOM Consultant Report)

7. Summary of Design Features

Pavement - Flexible
Location of Bus way At central median
Width of Bus way 3.3 to 3.5 m
Length of Platform 25 m
Width of Platform 2.5 m
Location of Bus stop Near intersection, mostly
Land acquisition for road Avoided AFAP
Passenger movement at mid-section if platform
provided Through Pedestrian Activated Signals
(PAS)
Type of system Combination of partially Open &
partially Closed system
Segregation of Bus lanes upto ROW of 30 m &
above

8. Details of cross-section design


Fig.3. 30 m cross-section

(Source: Bhopal Municipal Corporation Report)


Fig.4. 24 m cross-section

(Source: Bhopal Municipal Corporation Report)



9. System design features
2.5 m wide central platform where the ROW is
between 24-30 m.
Provision of access to adjoining properties by
combining pedestrian path, SMV lane & cycle track.
Bus stands at an average distance of 500 m and as
per Boarding-Alighting survey results (demand).
Provision of pedestrian actuated signals at bus stop
and automatic signalling at intersections.

Advantages of Central Common Platform (Due to
Generally restricted RoW availability in Bhopal with
central divider and Electric poles) :

Saving of space and at the same time provide wider
platform, and ease of geometry.
2 m saved space would be distributed to the FMV
lanes.
Central existing utilities to be remained undisturbed
saving cost.
Exclusive corridor and bus platforms can not be
used by other public transport mode (adding to the
operational efficiency).
Easy transformation to a restricted ROW zone from
relatively wider zone.
Central wider platform could also accommodate
ticketing facility.

Bus Stops
The Bus stop locations are being proposed based on:
Boarding-Alighting survey (demands)
At approximate 500 m interval.
At Signalised intersections

In case of high demands at a mid section - platforms
will be provided with at grade pedestrian crossing
and PAS.
Access to Bus Stops at intersections with automatic
signalling.





Fig.5. Bus stops (conceptual)
(Source: BCEOM Consultant Report)


10. Bus Technology

Modern low floor buses.
Two broad doors which allows passengers to board
and alight quickly and easily.
Saving of time and fuel with better km/l.
44 sitting and 40 standing capacity.
8 passengers can alight at a time.
Ultra Low Floor = < 400mm
Low Floor 650 mm

Various types of Buses available are :



Fig.6. Swing door




Fig.7. Pivot door




Fig.8. Front and Middle Door


Fig.9. High Floor Bus configuration





Fig.10. Low Floor Bus configuration
11. Intelligent Transport System (ITS)
Application of ITS in the following areas are:
Passenger Information

Pre-recorded micro-processor based audio-
video information about route , stop , etc.
Use of electronic video display system
mounted on the front,side & rear of the bus
for external displays to commuters at stop.
Speakers synchronized with visual displays
mounted at the entry - exit gates.
The messages about the route, next stop shall
be displayed & changed by manual
intervention by crew.
The messages shall be communicated in
English and Hindi.

Tracking for monitoring & control of vehicles
There are various options available such as
GPS based, RFID based




Fig.11. Bus stop

Fare collection system



Fig.12. Electronic ticket system
12. Conclusions

Hence, it can be concluded that BRTS is the need of the
BHOPAL city because :

It increases the accessibility in the city
It increases the speed of transportation
It improves the safety
It reduces the cost of public transportation and make it
accessible to people of all the economic classes
It reduces the traffic congestion
It popularizes public transport and reduce the
dependability over private vehicles
It improves the traffic management in the city
It improves the environmental conditions by reducing
pollution
It has higher capacity than normal bus service
It is highly flexible
It helps in the equitable allocation of road space
It serves the objective of NUTP

REFERENCES
[1] S. Rokade, H.L. Tiwari and K. Singh, Development
of a Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS):An
Introduction, Research paper on BRTS, Bhilai.
[2] Bhopal City Development Plan under JnNURM
Report,2008.
[3] National Urban Transport Policy 2005, Ministry of
Urban Development, Government of India, May
2005.
[4] World Bank Report,2009.
[5] Bus Rapid Transit Planning Guide,June 2007.
[6] Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board Report,
October 2005.
[7] Bhopal Municipal Corporation Report,2008.
[8] BCEOM Consultant Report,2008.