Contents 1. Classification Markets and Vehicle Selection Passenger Requirements Operator Requirements Energy/ Environmental Requirements 2. Concepts and Solutions 3. List of Bus Manufacturers 4. Conclusions
1. Classification
Markets and Vehicle Selection (1) The vehicle selection is depended on: max. capacity needed per trip/in total, catchment area / max. distances driven per trip, road network and climatic characteristics of the service area, driving licence regulation (bus, car), possibilities of funding or financing specific vehicle types, specific requirements for goods transport.
Markets and Vehicle Selection (2) Approximate estimation of max. capacity needed in total (in terms of number of vehicles): demand per peak time [Pers./h] Initial fleet size [veh.] = * time to serve a demand [h] matched passengers [Pers./veh.] Demand per peak time: maximal number of trip requests at the same time. Matched passengers: number of passengers, whose trip requests could be served with the same vehicle at the same time. Time to serve a demand: full operation time of the vehicle starting with leaving the base and ending with returning to base. Max capacity needed per trip (in terms of number of places/vehicle): Capacity [Pers./veh.] = max. matched passengers [Pers./veh.] The targeted maximum matched passengers is influencing the fleet size and the service quality (time between order and service, detours between ordered origin and destination)!
Matching passengers: Markets and Vehicle Selection (3) The possibility of matching passengers to one service is highly dependent on: the total demand per time unit (population density, daily trip density, potential user-groups, alternatives to the service), the service area characteristics (e.g. an alpine region with a valley structure favours the possibility of matching trips), number of access points of the systems (i.e. the number of possible origin and destination points), promised time between ordering a trip and fulfilling the service, accepted detour for passengers (time loss), and therefore cannot be calculated in general, but estimated for the specific case (for trip matching tools, see also module B).
Markets and Vehicle Selection (4) Catchment area/ max. distances driven per trip: How to design: The service area should be a region, clearly defined be administrative or geographical borders, as this is influencing the mobility and the destinations of potential users. Ideally there should be a centre or main interchanging point (e.g. rail-way station) within the area, where most of the trips beginning or ending. Usually the max. distance to drive is between this point to the furthest point in this area, including possible detours and the way back. Dependency to vehicle type selection: range of the vehicle (e.g. limited ranges of vehicles with electric propulsion), equipment for passengers (e.g. entertainment)
Markets and Vehicle Selection (5) Road network/ climatic characteristics of service area: Description: The type of pavement (e.g. dust-roads) and the road-condition within the service area has to be considered. Climatic characteristics such as heat, coldness, snow, heavy rain, fog have to be considered. Dependency to vehicle type selection: Four-wheel-driven vehicles, air-condition/heating, communication in cases of emergency, equipment in cases of emergency.
Markets and Vehicle Selection (6) Driving licence regulation: Description: In most of the countries, there is a split between driving licences for cars and buses defined by the weight of the vehicle and the number of passengers in the vehicle. This influences the selection of drivers. The labour costs for bus-drivers are usually higher. Dependency to vehicle type selection: The size and capacity of the vehicle is influenced from the driving licence regulation and the expected demand per trip. It has to be analysed whether more small cars or fewer buses are causing less costs at a same service quality.
Markets and Vehicle Selection (7) Funding/ financing of specific vehicle types: In many countries funding from the public sector is available Environmental Aspects: Funding of environmental friendly propulsion systems, or recycling aspects of the vehicle. Social Aspects: Funding, if the car is specially equipped for disabled passengers. Innovation Aspects: Funding, if new innovative techniques are used (e.g. ultra light chassis or on trip information systems). Public Transport Aspects: If the system is close to a public transport bus service, public transport subsidies can be given.
Markets and Vehicle Selection (8) Specific requirements for goods transport: Description: Is goods transportation an aspect of the service? Only accompanied luggage of passengers or parcel service as well? Dependency to vehicle type selection: Space for luggage: if passengers are commuters, the demanded space for luggage is small. If the service includes leisure trips as well, space for luggage, especially sports equipments (e.g. skis, bicycles, surf-boards) have to be considered. Space for parcel service: if parcel service is included, a space has to be considered (depending on accepted size and weight) ideally not accessible by the passengers in mixed systems.
Passenger Requirements Design of the vehicle, Passenger safety and security, Travel comfort, Special needs for specific passenger groups, Sufficient capacity, Seat comfort and leg-room, Comfort while boarding/clearing the vehicle, Temperature in the vehicle, On trip passenger information, Payment system Space for luggage.
Operator Requirements Customer satisfaction, Fleet management and communication system, Life-cycle costs Investment costs Running costs Taxes Recycling costs, Resistance against vandalism/dirt, Requirements for maintenance, Driver environment.
Energy/ Environmental Requirements Propulsion system, Energy consumption, Emissions of air pollutants, Emissions of CO 2 Noise emission, Recycling design.
2. Concepts and Solutions
Concepts and Solutions (Example 1) Characteristics of the case: Campo Bisenzio/ Italy A Dial-a-Ride service from/to all addresses within the service area. Free call telephone number, additional internet and SMS online reservation, computer aided travel dispatch centre, in vehicle driver information-terminal, the service is integrated in the transport consortium, regional season tickets are accepted. Used vehicle type: The DRT service is provided using 6 buses at the same time in peak hours. Three different types, capacity between 9-12 seats, the same types as used for conventional public transport services. Manufacturer and type: Breda Menarini M230, Cacciamali TCC635N, Iveco Pollicino 30P.
Concepts and Solutions (Example 2)
Concepts and Solutions (Example 2) Characteristics of the case: Dorfmobil Klaus/ Austria The system is organised by volunteers of a private non-profit association within the community of Klaus/Austria. One valley is linked with the next railway station on working days (6:00 19:00 hours). Used vehicle type: The whole DRT service is done with one van (diesel-propulsion). It has a capacity of 6 seats (5 passengers and the driver). The driver on duty has the car, the booking-book and the mobile phone at his house. Manufacturer and type: Mitsubishi Space Wagon.
Concepts and Solutions (Example 2)
Concepts and Solutions (Example 3) Characteristics of the case: Drinbus Genova/ Italy A Dial-a-Ride service from/to all addresses within the service area. Free call telephone number for trip ordering and GPS-monitoring of the fleet. Used vehicle type: Minibuses (8-13 seater) with methane propulsion system and onboard screen for driver information. Manufacturer and type: Mercedes Sprinter minibus.
Concepts and Solutions (Example 3)
Concepts and Solutions (Example 4) Characteristics of the case: Airport bus Budapest/ Hungary Dial-a-Ride city airport service from/to all addresses and the airport using GIS-based dispatching system and automatic route composition. Used vehicle type: Minibuses with diesel propulsion, one sliding door. Manufacturer and type: 90 Ford Transit minibuses.
Concepts and Solutions (Example 4)
Concepts and Solutions (Example 4) Characteristics of the case: Tampere/ Finland Dial-a-Ride system with door-to-door service, operation working days only. Cooperation with taxi operators, using the same call and dispatching centre, computer aided travel dispatch centre, onboard screen for driver information in minibuses, additionally PDA with GPRS technology are used for communication. Used vehicle type: Minibuses with diesel propulsion, partly with two entrance doors and Taxi cars, for off peak services. Manufacturer and type: Minibuses from Fiat, Peugeot, Renault
Concepts and Solutions (Example 5)
3. List of Bus Manufacturers
Mercedes (De): http://www.mercedes-benz.com/com/e/home/products/buses/ Setra (De): http://www.setra.de/englisch/index_english.html Neoplan (De): http://www.neoplan.de/en/index.jsp MAN (De): http://www.man-mn.com/en/products_%26_solutions/coaches.jsp Ikarus (Hu): http://www.ikarusbus.hu/ Iveco (It): http://www.iveco.com Solaris (Pl): http://www.solarisbus.pl Volvo (Se): http://www.volvo.com/bus/global/en-gb Scania (Se): http://www.scania.com/products/buses/ Van Hool (Be): http://www.vanhool.com/ Heulezbus (Fr): http://www.heuliezbus.com/ehomepag_.html Evobus (De): http://www.evobus.com/evobus_e
4. Conclusions
Define targeted market and analyse parameters for operation (e.g. vehicles, routes, area, etc.), Investigate economic viability and/ or sources for funding for pilot projects or long-term schemes, Carry out user needs analysis to determine stakeholder requirements (passenger and operator), Prove sustainability of the system (environment, energy, noise, emissions, recycling, etc.), Variety of concepts and solutions for different user groups and system application areas.
References /1/ TRB (2003) Resource Requirements for Demand- Responsive Transportation Services, TCRP- Report Nr. 98, Washington, 2003.
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