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Examine the world's urban transport systems |
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UITP: 4th International Bus Conference
4th Asia-Pacific Congress & Exhibition The UITP 4th International Bus Conference and the 4th Asia-Pacific Congress & Exhibition took place in Brisbane, Australia. Organised by the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) and hosted by Queensland Transport, the events were held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre over 5 days. 4th International Bus Conference Bus Systems: Driving Cities Forward The focus of the conference was on the problems of congestion and the ways in which public transport can be promoted and managed. Key factors, such as making bus systems more attractive, faster, less polluting and a real alternative to the car, were discussed at a number of sessions. Key speakers from around the world gave in-depth presentations on a variety of subjects. These included bus rapid transit systems, the progress which has been achieved towards developing zero emission buses, bus systems of the future, management of bus transit systems and institutional arrangements, such as reorganisation of bus networks, contracts and tendering.
Part of the Brisbane busway, where it runs parallel to the QR Citytrain rail line at South Bank station. Alongside the main conference, a number of technical visits and workshops were also held. Amongst these were a tour of the bus rapid transit system/busway in Brisbane, an examination of the integration of the metropolitan and regional rail system with other modes of transport and a workshop on and technical tour of waterborne transport, a major mode of transport in the Brisbane area.
One of Brisbane's CityCat ferries, setting off on its zig-zag route, an important commuter service in the city's Central Business District Towards Zero Emission Buses With oil prices spiralling and pressure being applied from many quarters to reduce emissions, there is no doubt that research and development into alternative fuels and propulsions systems has received a major boost. Although strides have been taken towards the ultimate goal of zero-emissions vehicles which are suitable for public transport, a complete solutions seems to lie in the medium- to long-term future.Currently, bus operators consider their emissions to be relatively low in the grand scheme of things, and will therefore choose compressed natural gas or low-level diesel buses over fuel-cells and other alternatives. Until the cost is reduced, reliability is improved and other considerations, such as the size of the propulsion equipment, are resolved it seems unlikely that a move to the new technologies will take place. However, that is not to say that the industry is ignoring the problem completely. Hybrid vehicles are being introduced in ever-increasing numbers and other initiatives, such as 'cleaner' fuels, catalysts and other technological improvements are being implemented and considered. A good example of the reduction in city pollution is shown in Hong Kong. A necessity for double-deck vehicles is currently preventing the installation of most alternative fuel equipment, which is just too bulky for double-deck buses, but a number of improvements have been made to existing vehicles, such as filters/catalysts, ultra-low-sulphur diesel fuel and smoke/soot reduction. The combination of these technologies have resulted in a reduction in particulates/emissions of around 10 per cent. With regard to true zero-emissions vehicles, examples of research in this area are the efforts of DaimlerChrysler/Merecedes-Benz. With an eye on the ultimate goal, the company is taking a number of interim steps along the way. These include: the optimisation of combustion engines to reduce emissions; reducing fuel consumption and, in diesel engines, NOx production; improvements to fuels; development of liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas vehicles; investigations into Biomass fuels and hybrid vehicles (electric + gas/petrol/diesel engines) and, ultimately, production of fuel cell vehicles, which would use hydrogen and produce only water vapour as en 'emission'. All of this must be done without reducing engine performance - a considerable challenge. Perth, Australia, has already taken the bull by the horns and is taking part in the trial of fuel cell buses. The project is government-funded and run and is the only trial worldwide not to be conducted by a private company. Currently, there are three vehicles running under operational conditions on a 2-year trial. Hydrogen, provided by BP, is carried in tanks on the roof of the Citaro-based vehicles. Initial reports indicate that the vehicles propulsion system is 2 to 3 times as efficient as an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and the vehicles have a range of some 250 km. Naturally, there have been failures and challenges with the new technology, such as problems with the inverters, and the technology, as with all new technology, is extremely expensive, but the Public Transport Authority considers this an important step forwards and believes that lessons learned in these trials will greatly assist in the drive towards zero-emissions. Whilst zero-emissions public transport vehicles as a reality is still a long way off, it is important to highlight the efforts being made towards this goal. Current infrastructure, and that under construction, is not compatible with the new technologies and this must be addressed if the goal is to be achieved. 4th Asia-Pacific Congress & Exhibition The Challenge of Mass Transit in the Asia-Pacific The congress centred on the necessity to reconcile social service requirements with profitable business strategy and development. Experts from around the world spoke and discussed a number of relevant topics , including business development and investment for public and private enterprises, the necessity for urbanisation and social cohesion, the role of urban rail, security for Metro systems and innovative public transport systems. The latter covered integrated contactless smartcard systems, maglev development and bus fleet management systems.
QR Citytrain service at South Bank station, Brisbane. There was also a special session and workshop on sustainable transport development.Securing the Seoul Metro System The Daegu Subway fire disaster in 2003 highlighted to the Seoul Metropolitan Subway Corporation exactly how insufficient the existing disaster/emergency measures were for the metro system. Amongst the failings identified were: highly toxic materials used in vehicles and station infrastructure; lack of safety information to the public; insufficient training for staff; poor communications and surveillance equipment and insufficient emergency equipment. To reduce the chance of such an event happening again, the Corporation will spend a total of US$940 million on improvements by 2007. The programme of improvements covers a wide range of measures, such as: These measures will surely improve security for the Seoul system and give the travelling public an increased feeling of safety. Hopefully, it will not only prevent such a terrible event from occurring in the future, but it should also highlight to operators of other systems, which are just as vulnerable to this type of disaster or any other (such as a terrorist attack), that there is a necessity to examine existing measures and to introduce improved or new ones. | | | |
Jane's Urban Transport Systems sponsor
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