Propose conceptual framework, salient features and outline implementation plan for Makkah BRT Project

1. Introduction

This paper discus problem of the public transportation in Makkah and Mashaer and how can innovate public transport has state-of-the-art low-cost technologies that result in more passengers and less congestion .one of the main important BRT is an innovative, high capacity, lower cost public transit solution that can significantly improve urban mobility. This permanent, integrated system uses buses or specialized vehicles on roadways or dedicated lanes to quickly and efficiently transport passengers to their destinations, while offering the flexibility to meet transit demand. BRT systems can easily be customized to community needs and incorporate state-of-the-art, low-cost technologies that result in more passengers and less congestion.

Or in other ward Bus rapid transit (BRT) is a term applied to a variety of public transportation systems using buses to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus line. Often this is achieved by making improvements to existing infrastructure, vehicles and scheduling. The goal of these systems is to approach the service quality of rail transit while still enjoying the cost savings and flexibility of bus transit. The expression BRT is mainly used in North America; in Europe and Australia, it is often called a busway, while elsewhere, it may be called a quality bus.

2. Problem Statement

In fact the agencies or Stakeholders responsible for transportation in Makkah and:

Development Commission Of Makkah and Mashaer (DCOMM) Holly Makkah Municipality- Ministry of Municipal and Rural

Affairs Ministry of Transport Albalad Alameen Company Ministry of Hajj

Junaid Abdullah Bawazeer IDNo: 42905228 Page 1

Supreme Hajj Committee, Higher Commission for the Monitoring of Pilgrims Transport,

The transit system is the bus, operated by Saudi Public Transport Co. (SAPTCO),it was established in 1399 H (1979 G) with a fully paid up capital of SR 1000 million to provide public bus transport services. SAPTCO operates around the clock with terminals in the Kingdom’s major cities and through an extensive network of local and international agents.

Also, there is a Mashaer metro, operated by Central Administration-Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs responsible for transit in Hajj by Public Transport does not play a role in transit the trips in Makkah, the only mode of transport is bus in off-peak and Ramadan, Mashaer metro is operated only in Hajj.

Public transport does not play the role to transit trips in Makkah and Mashaaer. Trips by mode of transit

Trips by public transport 0.4 % off-peak

Trips by public transport 4.6 % Ramadan

Trips by public transport 2.5 % Hajj

Trips by private car and taxi 76.5 % ff-peak

Trips by private car and taxi 58.7% Ramadan , and 88.7 % Hajj

Also Makkah has constrain to topography and limited existing road.As the result of weakness public transport ,the congestion occurs in Makkah in the central area all the year especially in Ramadan and Hajj,and in Makkah and Mashaaer in Hajj. Figures 1, 2, and 3 illustrate examples of the congestion.

Figure (1): Traffic Jam Congestion in Al Mashaaer

Junaid Abdullah Bawazeer IDNo: 42905228 Page 2

Figure (2): Traffic Congestion in central area

Figure (3): Traffic Congestion in Makkah

Junaid Abdullah Bawazeer IDNo: 42905228 Page 3

3. Evaluation

Makkh needs integration between modes of transport: Buss, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), and Metro (High Capacity) to get successful transit system.

Presenteations:

BRT system can be planned in Makkah and Mashaaer,are characterized by:1) Signal priority at intersections, 2) Dedicated Bus lanes on regular streets, with (preferably) or without signal priority 3) Bus lanes on streets that are separated from other parallel traffic (eg. median busway; less likely to be blocked by other road users)4) Separate bus roadways, not separated from transverse traffic 5)  Completely grade-separated bus roadways

We have case studies in BRT in the world as illustrated in figures 4, 5, and 6 in Colombia, Brazil, and Germany.

Junaid Abdullah Bawazeer IDNo: 42905228 Page 4

Figure (4): Trans Milenio BRT system in Bogotá, Colombia, transports a record 40,000 passengers per hour.

Figure (5): Curitiba, Brazil's RIT was the first BRT system implemented in the world.

Junaid Abdullah Bawazeer IDNo: 42905228 Page 5

Figure (6): Double articulated bus in Hamburg, Germany.

4. Conclusions

Makkah needs integration in Public Transport. Makkah can start with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, using single articulated bus in some road which suffer from congestion to mitigate traffic problem.

5. Recommendation

First stage is Preliminary study for geometry of road in Makkah and Mashaaer for example:

Radial roads connecting Makkah with Haram Mosque, and Routs of road between Arafat,Muzdalefa,and Mena

Geometry studies include width of roads, grades, and turning radius

Second stage chose technologies of the BRT in the world and chose the which one is more suitable (traditional bus, single articulated bus or double articulated bus ).

Junaid Abdullah Bawazeer IDNo: 42905228 Page 6

6. References- Bus rapid transit From Wikipedia,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_rapid_transit- National BRT Institute http://www.nbrti.org/- Development Commission Of Makkah and Mashaer (DCOMM)

http://develop.makkahgis.info- Holly Makkah Municipality http://www.holymakkah.gov.sa- Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs http://www.momra.gov.sa/- Ministry of Transport http://www.mot.gov.sa- Albalad Alameen http://www.albaladalameen.com.sa/- General Syndicate of Cars http://www.naqaba.com.sa/- Saudi Public Transport Co. (SAPTCO) http://www.saptco.com.sa/- Ministry of Hajj http://www.localhajj.gov.sa

Junaid Abdullah Bawazeer IDNo: 42905228 Page 7