Delft University of Technology Evaluating the implementation of Transit Signal Priority on a bus network, with a focus on equity MSc Transport Infrastructure & Logistics Final 13th April 2015 | i Student: Rachel Ivers Student Number: 4248538 Committee: Prof. Dr. Ir. Bert van Wee Delft University of Technology TPM Transport and Logistics Dr. Jan Anne Anemma Delft University of Technology TPM Transport and Logistics Dr. Ir. Niels van Oort Delft University of Technology CiTG Transport and Planning Jose Izquierdo Arup ii Preface This study is the final componet in my Masters in Transport Infrastructure and Logistics in Delft University of Technology. With this study I was able to combine my passion between the interaction of public transport and society which I gained through the last two years in Delft and my BSc in Dublin. By combining my knowledge acquired through living in these two countries I feel I have a unique perspective on how transport is provided and has developed. This thesis was written with Arup. Firstly I would like to thank my colleagues at Arup for their time and the opportunity they gave me to work in such a friendly and experienced company. Working in a company with offices around the world gave me not only access to a network of transport planners but a number of opinions and perspectives. Secondly I would like to thank my committee Prof. Bert van Wee, Dr. Jan Anne Annema, Dr. Niels van Oort and Jose Izquierdo for the patence and time they provided that enabled me to finish my thesis. Next I would like to thank the National Transport Authority in Dublin for providing data and time without which I would not be able to do this topic. Dublin Bus, Dublin City Council, Cyclist.ie and AA roadwatch also helped me by providing information on this topic. Finally I would like to thank my family and friends; without their support I would not have had the opportunity to come to the Netherlands. Rachel Ivers April 2015 vii Louth Location of the Greater Dublin Area in Ireland and its administrative boundaries. vii Summary This study evaluates the implementation of the introduction of a transit signal priority system on a bus network and uses a new transport appraisal method that focuses on equity. The main research question to be answered is ‘What are the equity and efficiency impacts of introducing transit signal priority in a city network?’ The method used to answer this question is divided into three phases. Phase One describes the components necessary to implement Transit Signal Priority (TSP), outlines some available transport appraisal methods and identifies how they do not deal with the issue of equality within society. Phase Two explains the importance of equality in transport provision, the components necessary for, and introduction of, an equitable transport appraisal method. Once this research is conducted Phase Three applies the information gained in the previous phases and identifies two contrasting zones (socially advantaged and socially disadvantaged) in the chosen study area, County Dublin, Ireland, by mapping socio-economic Census data using ArcGIS. From that, transit signal priority is modelled on the two identified routes using the National Transport Authorities ‘Greater Dublin Area Transport Model’. Next the change in travel times and modal split between the Do Nothing (base case) and Do Something (TSP case) is evaluated using an equitable transport appraisal method identified in Phase Two which uses the Lorenz curve and Gini index and a more common financial based transport appraisal method, a Cost Benefit Analysis. There are two steps to the results in this study. The first are the results from implementing TSP on the two bus routes. These bus routes have differing socio-economic demographic. The North Clondalkin corridor links a socially disadvantaged zone to employment and the Stillorgan corridor links a socially advantaged zone to the same employment zone. The purpose of the contrasting zones is to determine the equity effects on both zones and to test the equity based transport appraisal method. The results are below. They show a 10 minute reduction in travel time by bus on the North Clondalkin corridor and a 7 minute reduction in travel time on the Stillorgan corridor. Both the car travel times and the cycle travel times see no significant change (less than 1 minute). The second sets of results are the equitable and financial results of the transport appraisal methods. The equitable transport appraisal methods using the Lorenz curve and Gini index show that there is a 57% change in equality from the North Clondalkin zone and a 36% change in equality from the Stillorgan zone. Both zones increase the level of equality within the zones and balance the level of equality between the zones when TSP is implemented. The cost benefit reveals a net present value benefit of € 285,000.00, generating a cost benefit ratio of 1.8. The use of the Lorenz curve and Gini index enables different transport proposals to be tested to see the effects it has on different users and helps policy makers decide a proposal that generates the most equitable result. This approach has the ability to see the effects a transport proposal has at a disaggregate level rather than the aggregate level of a cost benefit analysis. Focusing on the aggregated level has the potential to hide negative results in one area with large positive results in another area; therefore increasing the level of inequality, this issue is tackled with the proposed equitable transport appraisal method. vii Contents Preface ...................................................................................................................................... vii Summary .................................................................................................................................. vii Contents ................................................................................................................................. viii Figures....................................................................................................................................... xi Tables ....................................................................................................................................... xii Equations................................................................................................................................ xiii Abbreviations .......................................................................................................................... xiv 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Problem description ................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Problem statement ................................................................................................................. 3 1.3 Hypothesis ............................................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Research question ................................................................................................................... 3 1.5 Scope ....................................................................................................................................... 4 1.6 Social and societal relevance .................................................................................................. 5 1.7 Who is this report aimed at .................................................................................................... 5 1.8 Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 5 1.9 Report structure ...................................................................................................................... 6 2 Transit Signal Priority System ............................................................................................ 8 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 8 2.2 TSP system architecture .......................................................................................................... 8 2.3 TSP requirements for the study area ...................................................................................... 9 2.4 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 12 3 Transport Appraisal Methods ............................................................................................ 13 3.1 Cost Benefit Analysis ............................................................................................................. 13 3.2 Multi Criteria Analysis ........................................................................................................... 13 3.3 Efficiency Analysis ................................................................................................................. 13 3.4 Accessibility Analysis ............................................................................................................. 14 viii 3.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 14 4 Importance of equitable transport ....................................................................................