The CHRONOBUS concept

Cost BHLS - Meeting in Zurich 9-11 May 2011
Sébastien RABUEL
Director of Transportation investments
Nantes Métropole
Chronobus program
The new BHLS system in Nantes

Remember the Busway
► The first BHLS concept in Nantes
► The bus as the tramway : right of way, priority, stations,
► High level of service : V = 20 km/h, H = 3 min, 5h – 0h30, comfor
accessibility (mini-ramp)
► 28 000 pass/day – 7 km
► Same level of tramway (line 4)
2

The CHRONOBUS concept
The need to find something between regular bus and tramway/busway network
because :
- Pb of capacity of main network / concentration at some stations (ex : Commerces)
- Adapt the system to the needs and the money we get
- Don’t have the space for 100% right of way (10-20 meters large)
The Chronobus label will offer :
A guaranteed travel time similar during and off peak hours
Improved frequencies of 6 to 8 minutes during peak hours and of 10 to 12
minutes off peak hours;
Operating hours similar to the tram’s and BusWay’s
A continuous supply throughout the year
An improved accessibility for all
Dedicated to lines with high potentiel (around 10 000 pass/day)
3

The CHRONOBUS concept
To achieve the desired level of performance, the proposed developments on the
Chronobus lines are made on areas where there is a risk of irregularities or faults:
Positioning and accessibility of stops (stations and terminals),
Bus lanes development (32 km / 68 km of 7 first Chronobus lines)
Road enlargements allowing a smooth flow of the Chronobus. Occasionally, this may
cause:
- Transformation of angle parking into parallel parking
- Removal of parking spaces.
Prioritizing Chronobus at intersections (moved onto radio system)
Establishment of temporary "locks" for traffic calming,
Development of squares and roundabouts,
These developments systematically include the issue of soft modes (bicycles and
pedestrians) and accompany behaviour changes toward a limited use of private cars in
contributing to a lessening of flows and speeds on the retreated roads.
4

Bus corridor
EXAMPLES
Crossroads treated as roundabout
Traffic calming bus station
5

A pragmatic approach
Measures only where necessary (analysis with Optor System)
6

A global approach
Station apaisée
CHRONOBUS
Couloir bus existant
ou en projet
Station apaisée
(en ligne sur voirie)
Zone à trafic limité
Création de giratoire
Priorité bus carrefour feux
94
7
10

Example of a limited trafic area
Chaussée réservée chronobus / modes doux / ayants droits
Voie réservée chronobus / modes doux
Tous modes double sens
Sens unique tous modes
Sens unique ayants-droit
Station verrou
actuelle
Rue J. Verne
Rue R. Coty Rue J. Moulin
Rue K. Dolny
Super U
Rue du 8 Mai 45
Rue de
la Loire
Mairie
Rue du Petit Chassay
8

A meshing network
9

In addition to the 50 km of tram and BusWay network, which
carries 290,000 passengers per day, the 10 Chronobus lines will
transport up to 100,000 passengers.
7 lines will be commissioned between September 2012 and
september 2013 and the 3 remaining lines after 2014.
10

1 – Introduction
11

Covering the city with high level of service
12

Figures
Vitesse comemrciale (km/h HPS)
2009 2013 Différence
C1 (21) 13,7 15 1,3
C2 (32) 14,6 16,5 1,9
C3 (56) 14,2 15,5 1,3
C4 (94) 20,8 21,5 0,7
C5 (5) 14 16,4 2,4
C6 (22) 14,8 18,4 3,6
C7 (Est) 24,5 26,7 2,2
Longueur
Fréquentation (voy/jour)
(km)
2009 2013 Différence
C1 (21) 9 14000 18300 4300
C2 (32) 8 9400 11100 1700
C3 (56) 10 7200 9000 1800
C4 (94) 11 5300 6300 1000
C5 (5) 6 1900 8200 6300
C6 (22) 14 8500 14700 6200
C7 (Est) 9 1800 5100 3300
Total 67 48100 72700 24600
13

Today
Chronobus in 2015-2020-2030 mobility plan
14

PDU 2010 > 2015 > 2030
RÉSEAU STRUCTURANT DE TRANSPORTS COLLECTIFS – horizon 2030
Chronobus in 2015-2020-2030 mobility plan
Chronobus radial lines
15

PDU 2010 > 2015 > 2030
RÉSEAU STRUCTURANT DE TRANSPORTS COLLECTIFS – horizon 2030
Ring lines
16

Thank you for your attention
17
sebastien.rabuel@nantesmetropole.fr