BELFAST RAPID TRANSIT. Ciarán de Búrca Director, Transport Projects Division Department for Regional Development

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1 BELFAST RAPID TRANSIT Ciarán de Búrca Director, Transport Projects Division Department for Regional Development

2 Objectives of Belfast Rapid Transit To provide a modern, safe, efficient and high quality public transport service which promotes modal shift to public transport To support sustainable economic growth and regeneration; providing high quality access and connectivity between different parts of the city To provide equality through enhanced accessibility linking the most deprived communities to key employment locations, retail facilities, leisure, health and education services To support social inclusion and the integration of communities across the city

3 Belfast Rapid Transit What are the key themes? Quality Reliability Complete System Integration Strong Belfast Image

4 Performance & Service Standards Key Elements influencing route option assessment Deliverability Connecting key locations Operating 06:00 to 23:30 weekdays Headway ay max.10 minutes in peaks Fast and reliable Effective enforcement of priority measures Optimal priority throughout route Bus lane operation 07:00 19:00 Signal control with priority at all major junctions Traffic management Parking relocation

5 A Strong Belfast Image

6 Outline Business Case and Preferred Options Study Commission awarded to Atkins/Arup/KPMG in April 2011 to assist Transport Projects Division The Commission identified the preferred options in terms of the: network routes; procurement strategy; commercial/business model; and outline design

7 The Route Option Assessment Process 1. Route Audit Report A fresh look at route options with a focus on identifying practical solutions 2. Initial Sift of Long List A high level qualitative assessment 3. Detailed Assessment of Short-List Strategic Economic Management Financial & Commercial

8 Belfast Rapid Transit Pilot Route Options Quarry Corner Park & Ride

9 Recommended Routes Legend CITI EWAY WWAY Park & Ride Sites

10 City Centre Network

11 Outline Business Case Key Findings Economics Recommended Option had Benefit to Cost Ratio of 3.1 high value for money project Total project cost estimate, based on completion in the 2017/18 financial year, is 98.5m and the vast majority of project costs will have to be funded by the Department BRT expected to become income generative on an annual basis BRT expected to produce economic benefits by increasing public transport journey BRT expected to produce economic benefits by increasing public transport journey time reliability and facilitating sustainable regeneration

12 Outline Business Case Key Findings Travel Public transport patronage predicted to increase on BRT corridors by 3.3m 3m trips per year within 10 years of operation equates to increase in public transport trips of between 43% and 75% depending on corridor Modal share of public transport on BRT corridors predicted to increase by approx. 8% Public transport journey times on BRT corridors are predicted to decrease by up to 30% Bus lanes and bus priority measures predicted to result in a 20% reduction in traffic volumes on the EWAY and WWAY routes. Approximately half of this reduction is due to modal shift to public transport with the other half due to traffic dispersing to other routes. Forecast to be an average increase in journey times for general traffic along the corridors of approximately 8%. General traffic on some sections of the routes will experience journey time increases of approximately 40%, particularly in the period immediately after implementation

13 Outline Business Case Key Findings Social and Environmental BRT infrastructure works at road collision cluster sites are expected to improve road safety BRT will promote increased physical activity among new public transport users BRT will lead to an improved and more accessible public transport system which will have positive impacts on all section 75 groups. In a small number of cases, the proposals may have a negative impact on people with mobility problems due to reduced number of public transport stops along BRT corridors

14 Need for Regeneration

15 Need for Integration

16 Need for Integration 16

17 Regeneration / Integration Belfast Rapid Transit will have an inclusive citywide identity It will be a key driver for the regeneration of Belfast; providing high quality access and connectivity between the different parts of the city where major regeneration projects are underway or proposed. It will link the most deprived communities to key employment locations, shopping facilities, leisure and education services. It will facilitate the growing integration and partnerships between the different communities across the city where the BRT system will be a shared space for all communities.

18 City Centre Network

19 Wellington Place Existing traffic arrangements Proposed traffic arrangements

20 May Street Existing traffic arrangements Proposed traffic arrangements

21 Summary of City Centre Measures The redistribution of existing road space to provide extensive priority measures for buses, cyclists and permitted taxis. 2.6km of new bus lanes identified, which will also accommodate cyclists and permitted taxis. The provision of 20 new controlled pedestrian crossing points. 340m of new dedicated service bays. 1km of new dedicated cycle lanes. Over 40 additional dedicated disabled parking bays.

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26 Initial Belfast on the Move Results Traffic flow has settled down with only minor increases in travel times for private cars Approximately 30% reduction in traffic crossing the Queen s Bid Bridge Major improvement in bus journey reliability Increase of approximately 20% in use of bus-based Park & Ride 26

27 Belfast Rapid Transit Impacts Significantly enhanced priority for public transport on the routes Reduction in capacity for private cars along routes Provision of 2 strategic park and ride sites Integration with existing public transport services Some localised road widening and banning of turning movements Relocation, and removal, of some on-street parking Modifications to junctions and co-ordination of traffic signals

28 Potential Issues There are a number of issues which may impact on the delivery and/or operation of the Belfast Rapid Transit system including: Funding Enforcement Displacement of general traffic Integrated ticketing Availability of free/cheap car parking in city centre

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