Bus priorities: a solution to urban congestion?

摘要

This paper briefly outlines the history and current development of bus priority in the UK with most examples being drawn from the London area. Current transport policy is examined, particularly encouraging use of public transport and pedestrian priority. Details of a number of sustainable transport studies are given and the extent to which bus priority can contribute to these. The discussion then proceeds to look at intensified bus priority systems and road-space reallocation. The conclusion drawn is that for bus priorities to have a substantial impact on urban congestion, far higher levels of priority are required than is currently the case. Such schemes would need to form part of sustainable development policies reallocating roadspace to public transport, cyclists and pedestrians, thereby providing a viable alternative to the car for a higher proportion of trips.