Bus Automation: Cost Effective Solutions for Transit Operators
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Bus Automation: Cost Effective Solutions for Transit Operators June 2021 wsp.com ii CONTENTS Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................................1 Introduction to Bus Automation ....................................................................................................4 The Automated Bus Yard .....................................................................................................................8 Preparing for Bus Automation Integration ........................................................................... 12 The Business Case for Automating the Bus Yard .............................................................. 13 Bus Platooning ..........................................................................................................................................15 AV Regulatory Considerations ...................................................................................................... 23 Financial Considerations with Bus Automation ............................................................... 24 Program Highlight: Cavnue Connected Corridor .............................................................29 Preparing the Transit Workforce ..................................................................................................30 Conclusion - Benefits of Bus Automation Technology ................................................. 32 Citations ........................................................................................................................................................ 34 iii Executive Summary In late 2017, French automated shuttle manufacturer THE AUTOMATED BUS YARD Navya partnered with Keolis and AAA to launch the The Automated Bus Yard involves the deployment first publicly accessible automated transit pilot in of buses equipped with Automation Driving Systems Las Vegas, NV capable of transporting up to eight (ADS) equipment programmed to safely operate passengers. Only a few short years later, the Federal within the Operational Design Domain (ODD) of the Transit Administration (FTA) estimated that, as of bus yard. WSP has strategically selected the bus yard December 2020,1 dozens of bus automation testing as a starting point to introduce and demonstrate activities were underway across the United States. transit automation solutions to advance the evolving This tremendous growth in the bus automation capabilities of the technology, increase safety within market is expected to quicken over the coming the yard, and explore the many ways to increase years. Bloomberg anticipates a compound annual operational efficiency by test ADS-equipped buses on growth rate (CAGR) of over 63% in the autonomous private property. There are five distinct operating vehicle (AV) market by 2030. Such rapid growth of scenarios for the automated yard that provide a the AV market may provide transit agencies with competitive return-on-investment (ROI): operational, financial, safety, and service benefits. Parking & Recall WSP is at the forefront of this technology evolution. Bus Wash We have gained valuable insight into the benefits transit automation offers. This white paper presents Bus Maintenance/Service Bays our recommendations and analysis framed around Vaulting two scenarios: Automating the bus yard and applying Precision Docking in Service Bays bus platooning within Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Most transit agencies will realize safety and systems. Both applications will showcase safety, service benefits from adopting automated bus yard operational, and financial benefits in the facility technology; however, transit agencies with the and corridor operating environments. Furthermore, following attributes may see increased benefits: critical topics such as workforce development and regulatory implications provide a holistic view of the 1. Buses with Drive-by-Wire (DbW) throttle control future of transit automation. The intent of this white 2. Existing or future plans to transition to a battery paper is to help guide and inform transit agencies, electric fleet roadway authorities, and other jurisdictions when 3. Capacity-constrained bus yard(s) considering the implementation of cost-effective transit solutions. 4. Interest in or experience managing innovative pilot programs We present four business cases for the 5. State policy and/or Connected & Automated automated yard that provide long-term Vehicle (CAV) working groups that support and cost savings and operational benefits: provide insight throughout pilot deployments • Increased yard capacity • Fewer overhead pantograph chargers • Reduction in time required for pull- in and pull-out schedules • Decrease in safety incidents 1 Figure 1: Smart City Application and Bus Automation Technology Integration BRT BUS PLATOONING With the high cost of development for constructing In addition to automation technology integration, or expanding rail systems in urban areas, lower cost four operational and/or physical challenges BRT systems are becoming more popular throughout may increase the success of implementing BRT the US. In corridors with high transit ridership, platooning: BRT can only provide capacity similar to light rail 1. Transit signal priority (TSP) transit (LRT) if bus platooning is applied. Advanced automation technology allows wirelessly connected 2. Station location and design buses to operate safely and efficiently with minimal 3. Special signage and pavement marking distance between vehicles. Based on analyses 4. Adjusting signal timing to provide more time for obtained through demonstrations, two or three-bus bus platoons through intersections platoons could carry as many passengers as LRT Our analysis suggests that transit agencies realize under certain ridership demand scenarios. the greatest benefits when they lengthen platforms Bus platooning provides significant benefits when and provide enhanced real-time passenger applied in environments where transitways are information to marshal passengers to the proper present, whether a median busway on an urban doors within a platoon, based on capacity. While the street or freeway, or a separate busway. It also bus platooning concept is new, special signage and works efficiently for a single, line-haul route, with pavement markings to alert motorists, pedestrians, platoon formation facilitated at service termini at and bicycles can also increase benefits. both ends of the route. Branching services could also This white paper also compares the operating costs accommodate platoons, though the ability to marshal for bus platoons and LRT trains under different buses becomes more challenging. headway and vehicle deployment conditions. From A comprehensive set of technologies is available to an automation implementation cost perspective, provide for safe and efficient bus platooning. Seven costs can be broken into two categories: Materials technology components are discussed in this paper: and programming. Material costs may include LiDAR sensors, radar sensors, GPS, and on-board 1. Adaptive cruise control (speed and headway computers. Programming costs would include management) mapping the deployment area; coding ODD; and data 2. Forward collision warning analysis, storage and maintenance. 3. Emergency electronic brake lights 4. Lane keeping/departure warning 5. Curve speed warning 6. Vehicle turning in front of bus warning 7. Pedestrian in signalized crosswalk warning 2 Figure 2: Automated Driving Systems will soon allow buses to self-drive into maintenance bays and use precision-docking maneuvers to increase capacity and safety. POLICY & REGULATIONS PREPARING THE WORKFORCE There are three types of existing regulations that With the advent of transit automation technologies, apply to transit automation which fall under there may be impacts on the transit workforce, labor, technology, and accessibility. To date, including operations, maintenance, and information federal legislation and regulation have focused technology functions. Targeted training on the on accessibility through American Disabilities Act different technologies in conjunction with modifying (ADA) and Title VI. State and local transportation certain roles/staff classifications will be critical. departments have been left to independently Potential workforce challenges include requisite determine what changes might be needed skills development and the associated training time, related to motor vehicle laws, safety protecting cost, and access. However, the potential benefits are policies, and business-friendly legislation. The significant. This white paper discusses the ALERT most recent Strategic Transit Automation Report (Awareness - Layers - E-Resources - Responsiveness (STAR) published by the FTA lists multiple pilot - Talk) framework for transit officials to plan for deployments, including several applying bus technological change. automation technologies. Due to the uncertainty relating to transit automation technology and operational applications, it is important for transit agencies to partner with industry leaders like WSP to ensure deployment plans adhere to local, state, and federal policy guidelines. 3 Introduction to Bus Automation OVERVIEW CURRENT STATE Automated Vehicles have been an intriguing concept While it may come as a surprise to some, vehicle since General Motors’ Futurama exhibit at the 1938 automation technology has been around since the New York World’s Fair.2 Since then, communication