INFLUENCE OF BUS BAY AND CURBSIDE BUS STOP IN AN URBAN ROAD

Abstract

Purpose of Study: The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficiency of bus bay compare to the curbside bus stop in a midblock road segment of Dhaka city. Methodology: Vehicle composition and traffic volume were counted on-peak hours for the midblock of Azimpur road near the existing bus stop. Simulation models were developed in VISSIM, where Model 1 represented the existing road scenario with curbside bus stop, and Model 2 represented the same road segment with a bus bay. Main findings: The simulation result showed that Model 2 outperformed Model 1 due to the presence of bus bay. Comparing Model 1, travel time and delay reduced by varying 1.80% to 12.5% and 6.25% to 100% respectively in Model 2 during the simulation. Similarly, average speed increased by 1.39% and density decreased by 61.29% in model 2. Application of this study: Curbside bus stops result in abrupt halt, disrupt traffic flow, and queuing of the small-sized vehicle behind buses. These bus stops caused traffic congestion and delays in urban roads which can be alleviated by alternatives, such as, bus bay. The novelty of this study: The bus bay is a good alternative to the curbside bus stop, which can improve existing traffic conditions in urban roads.