Minneapolis/St. Paul area transit vehicles use bus-only

SÉMINAIRE
LE JEUDI 20 MARS 2008, À 11H00
SALLE 5441
Pavillon André-Aisenstadt
Campus de l’Université de Montréal
2920, Chemin de la Tour
CONFÉRENCIER
Max Donath, Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute
University of Minnesota
TITRE
Driver Assistive Technology: Opportunities for Deploying Bus Rapid Transit along
Narrow Right-of-Way
RÉSUMÉ
Minneapolis/St. Paul area transit vehicles use bus-only shoulders to enhance
transit system performance on close to 300 route miles. The width of buses
relative to shoulder width has made it difficult for bus operators to use these
during inclement weather. Furthermore this has been a factor in reducing bus
operational speeds when operating in the shoulders.
A novel system developed by the University of Minnesota allows for lanespecific vehicle guidance and driver feedback mechanisms to enable safer
travel along the shoulders. This driver assist system has been demonstrated
with Metro Transit vehicles and is currently in trials with the Minnesota Valley
Transit Authority, another local transit provider.
Widespread deployment of this system would make transit service faster, more
reliable and encourage its use. Benefits would particularly accrue during bad
weather. Such systems would enable the use of shoulders or narrower lanes for
BRT service thus reducing the cost of right-of-way and construction.
RESPONSABLE
Bernard Gendron, 514 343-7240