Raise the Hammer

Useful numbers for the bus LRT debate.

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The following is from the Light Rail Transit Associations hand book Light Rail Transit Today, comparing the operating parameters of bus, light rail, and metro on an unimpeded 8 kilometre route with stations every 450 metres. Using real data based on acceleration, deceleration, dwell time, etc., the study gives real time information for the three transit modes.

Please note: This study has been abridged for brevity and clarity. The study assumes a vehicle capacity for a bus at 90 persons; LRT 240 persons (running in multiple unit doubles capacity); and metro at 1000 persons.

The time to over the 8 km. route would be:

Bus – 22.4 minutes
LRT – 18 .6 minutes
Metro – 16.3 minutes

The Round trip time, including a 5 minute layover:

Bus – 54.8 minutes
LRT – 47.2 minutes
Metro – 42.6 minutes

The comparative frequency of service in relation to passenger flows would be:

At 2,000 persons per hour per direction:

Bus – 2.7 minute headways, with 22 trips.
LRT – 7.5  minute headways, with 8 trips.
LRT (2-car) – 15 minute headways, with 4 trips.
Metro – 30 minute headways, with 2 trips.

At 6,000 pphpd:

1 Bus – 0.9 minute headways, with 67 trips.
LRT – 2.4 minute headways, with 17 trips.
LRT (2-car) – 4.8 minutes, with 13 trips.
Metro – 10 minute headways with 6 trips.

At 10,000 pphpd:

Bus – 30 second headways, with 111 trips (traffic flows above 10,000 pphpd impractical).
LRT – 1.4 minute headways, with 42 trips.
LRT (2 car) – 2.8 minute headways, 21 trips
Metro – 6 minute headways, 10 trips.

At 20,000 pphpd:

LRT – 0.7 minute headways, with 83 trips.
LRT (2 car) – 1.4 minute headways, with 42 trips.
Metro – 3 minute headways, with 20 trips.

Comparative Staff Requirements on vehicles in relation to passenger flows. Station staff in brackets ().

At 2,000 pphpd:

Bus – 21 (0)
LRT – 7 (0)
LRT (2 car) – 4 (0)
metro – 2 (up to 38)

At 6,000 pphpd:

Bus – 61 (0)
LRT – 20 (0)
LRT (2 car) – 10 (0)
Metro – 5 (up to 38)

At 10,000 pphpd:

Bus – 110 (traffic flows above 10,000 pphpd impractical) (0).
LRT – 34 (0)
LRT (2 car) – 17 (0)
Metro – 8 (up to 38)

At 20,000 pphpd:

LRT – 69 (0)
LRT (2 car) – 34 (0)
Metro – 15 (up to 38)