Roadspace allocation for public transport priority

Road management authorities have a difficult task juggling competing demands for limited road space and time. This dilemma is highlighted when pressure arises for greater priority for public transport services. This paper describes a methodology developed in Melbourne, Australia to assist the road management authority, VicRoads, to evaluate trade-offs in the use of its limited road-space for new bus and tram priority projects. The approach employs traffic micro-simulation modelling to assess road-space re-allocation impacts, travel behaviour modelling to assess changes in travel patterns and a social cost benefit framework to evaluate impacts. The evaluation considers a comprehensive range of impacts including the environmental benefits of improved public transport services. Impacts on public transport reliability improvements are also considered. Although improved bus and tram reliability is a major rationale for traffic priority its use in previous evaluations is rare. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E212956.