Towards an EnvironmentTowards an Environment--Friendly Bus Transport Along Friendly Bus Transport Along

EDSAEDSA

Shared Growth and the Environment:

The Case of Urban Land Transportation

Shared Growth Seminar Series #12

April 28, 2010, 1:30-5:30 pm

Rm. 301, APEC Communications Bldg.

University of Asia and the Pacific

Pasig, Metro Manila

Dr. Edwin N. QuirosOfficer-in-Charge

Vehicle Research and Testing LaboratoryUniversity of the Philippines - Diliman

Metro Manila’s main circumferential highway - suffering from congestion

�≈ 225,000 daily vehicle users�3,500 franchised buses; 1,500 colorum buses

For air pollution in Metro Manila,

�₱ 277 M/day cost of lost time of workers

�5,000 premature deaths annually

�₱ 962 M/yr health costs

“EDSA Bus Reduction Project”Project Information DocumentProject ID P106260, World Bank

EDSA Congestion Due

to

1. Inadequate and poorly planned

infrastructure

- Traffic lights, lane markings, interchanges, secondary

roads, etc.

“EDSA Bus Reduction Project”

Project Information DocumentProject ID P106260, World Bank

EDSA Congestion Due to

2. Too many vehicles, oversupply of buses

- Intense competition among bus drivers jostling for space, longer stay at loading and unloading points

- Average round trip time: 5 hrs. for (24 x 2) km

- Average speed: 15 km/hr for 1-minute stay @ 15 bus stops

- Service headway: 1 bus per 11.2 sec. (assuming 3,500 buses)

“EDSA Bus Reduction Project”

Project Information DocumentProject ID P106260, World Bank

EDSA Congestion Due

to

3. Poor enforcement of rules and regulationsPoor enforcement of rules and regulations

- No official or transparent quota on number of buses that can getfranchises (Certificate of Public Convenience, CPC’s) at EDSA

- Franchise period is up to 15 years (thus allowing old buses to stilll operate)

- Franchises are transferable (or sold) to other operators or units which can meet LTFRB criteria

- Retirement or non-renewal of some franchises strongly opposed by bus operators

- Presence of illegal or colorum bus units - various means used to skirt the law, avoidance of detection, forged documents, etc.

“EDSA Bus Reduction Project”

Project Information DocumentProject ID P106260, World Bank

EDSA Congestion Due

to

4. Multiplicity of agencies involved in passenger transport and traffic management on EDSA

Different roles/mandates (with possible overlapping) related to infrastructure, traffic management, passenger transport, and enforcement

1. DOTCa) Road Transport Planning Unitb) LTFRBc) LTO

2. DPWH3. MMDA (default agency for traffic management)4. LGUs5. TMG

“EDSA Bus Reduction Project”

Project Information DocumentProject ID P106260, World Bank

1. Low quality of passenger service

2. Increased fuel consumption

3. Increased greenhouse gases (GHG)

and other emissions (NOx, THC, PM,

etc.)

Measures taken to relieve congestion Measures taken to relieve congestion

had very limited success:had very limited success:

1. One-way systems

2. Reversible traffic lanes

3. Yellow boxes

4. Pedestrian barriers

5. Pedestrian overpasses

6. EDSA bus lanes

7. Bus stop separators

8. Bus stop segregation

schemes

9. Etc.

Reasons for FailureReasons for Failure

1. Improper planning

2. Inadequate consultation with road

users

3. Inadequate information campaign

4. Difficult or unsustainable

enforcement

5. Little impact monitoring

“EDSA Bus Reduction Project”Project Information DocumentProject ID P106260, World Bank

Elements of a Comprehensive Vehicle Pollution Control Strategy

Towards a more environment-friendly bus

transport system

“A Road Map for Cleaner Fuels and Vehicles in Asia”

ADB Final Consultants’ Report, TA 6144(REG)

November 2008

The Organized Bus Route (OBR) Scheme

� Implemented in 2003 by MMDA to bring order to bus operations

� Consists of � Managing headways from departure points

� Control of dwell time at bus stops

� Enforcement against illegal operators

� Use of “Q Cards” for bus identification and dispatch

� Partially successful � Various tricks by some bus operators and staff to skirt

the system

“EDSA Bus Reduction Project”Project Information DocumentProject ID P106260, World Bank

� Project agreement between World Bank and MMDA signed January 2010 (US$ 5.78M)

� Aims to reduce GHG emissions by optimizing number of bus trips along EDSA (i.e. enhancement of OBR scheme)

“EDSA Bus Reduction Project”

Project Information Document

Project ID P106260, World Bank

� Use of RFID technology to control 1. bus dispatch

2. dwell time at bus stops

3. Enforce franchise & traffic rules

4. Arbitrary trip-cutting & out-of-line operations

� Construction/Enhancement of Infrastructure Support

� Upgrading of Organized Bus Route Administration

� Development of Emission Reduction (ER) Asset (est.

CDM revenues US$ 1.8M)

“EDSA Bus Reduction Project”

Project Information Document

Project ID P106260, World Bank

Perhaps we can do Perhaps we can do

better...better...

It is proposed...

...eventually evolving

into a Bus Rapid Transit

(BRT) system

� An innovative, high-capacity, lower-cost public transit solution that can

achieve the performance and benefits of more expensive rail modes

� Integrated system using buses or specialized vehicles on roadways or

dedicated lanes to quickly and efficiently transport passengers to their

destinations

� Often this is achieved by making improvements to existing

infrastructure, vehicles, and scheduling.

� The goal of this system is to approach the service quality of rail transit

while still enjoying the cost savings and flexibility of bus transit.

Major Elements of BRTMajor Elements of BRT

1. Wide choice of running ways

BRT systems can operate on all types of running ways–

� mixed flow arterials

� mixed flow freeways

� dedicated arterial lanes

� at-grade transitways

� fully grade-separated surface transitways

� managed lanes

� tunnels

Major Elements of BRTMajor Elements of BRT

Major Elements of BRTMajor Elements of BRT

2. Enhanced stations

Aesthetically designed stations can

be attractive while providing passenger amenities such as

� Shelters

� Benches

� Lighting

� Ticket vending machines

� Security features

� Next vehicle arrival information

Major Elements of BRTMajor Elements of BRT

Major Elements of BRTMajor Elements of BRT

3. Innovative vehicles

Standard and specialized buses operating along

BRT routes will have features for

� comfort

� aesthetic enhancements

� easy access

� passenger circulation

�� EnvironmentEnvironment--friendly propulsion systemsfriendly propulsion systems

Mini Buses are ok

too

Major Elements of BRTMajor Elements of BRT

4. Improved fare collection

Electronic fare cards, off-board

fare collection, or proof-of-

payment options allow for shorter dwell times and

shorter overall travel times.

Major Elements of BRTMajor Elements of BRT

Major Elements of BRTMajor Elements of BRT

5. State-of-the-art technologies

BRT incorporates ITS (intelligent transportation system) applications such as

� Transit Signal Priority

� advanced communication systems

� automated scheduling and dispatch systems

� and real-time traveler information at stations and on vehicles

for faster and more convenient trips.

BRT System Benefits

1. Significant decrease in travel time

vs. regular bus service

2. Increased reliability

3. Improved accessibility

4. Better safety and security

5. Increased capacity

6. Increased ridership

7. Improved capital cost

effectiveness

8. Reduced emissions

Do we want this system for EDSA?

Some issues to resolveSome issues to resolve

• Consultation with stakeholders?

• Business model, funding

• How is the transition to be done?

• Legislation

• Regulatory agencies

• Etc.

Thank you