Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Spatial Strategy

15 June 2004

Project Appraisal: A325/A30 Route 1 Bus Corridor -
Real-Time Passenger Information

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 3

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - SPATIAL STRATEGY

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

A325/A30 ROUTE 1 CORRIDOR - REAL-TIME PASSENGER INFORMATION SYSTEM

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

AUGUST 2004

COMPLETION DATE:

AUGUST 2005

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2004/05

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at Apr 04

(at Apr 04

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Construction

470

470

Fees

470

470

Less developers/

other contributions

170

170

300

300

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)*

300

(b) Other

300

2.

From other resources

(a) Developer Funding

170

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

470

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

26.5

0.030

Capital charges

61

0.066

TOTAL net expenditure

87.5

0.096

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

Background

This project appraisal proposes the installation of a Real-Time Passenger Information System (RTPI) in the Aldershot and Farnborough area initially focused on Route 1, which will be linked to and controlled by a central system located at the County Council's Traffic and Travel Information Centre (TTIC), Monument House, Winchester. The works form part of the county-wide Real-Time Information contract with SLE which was awarded in December 2003. Approvals for establishing a central RTPI system was given on 16 July 2002. Individual project appraisals are being submitted for works to deploy RTPI on a county-wide basis as funding becomes available. Approval for works in the Basingstoke area was given on 23 July 2003.

The County Council, Rushmoor Borough Council, Surrey County Council and Stagecoach Bus Company share a common objective to encourage greater use of public transport to address traffic congestion problems. The provision of high quality, reliable and accessible bus services can help to address these issues. All parties are committed to working closely together to delivery a high quality public transport system.

A Quality Bus Partnership (QBP) was signed between the County Council, Rushmoor Borough Council, Surrey County Council and Stagecoach in October 2001. The proposals to further improve the infrastructure and the introduction of RTPI are a continuation of the works which took place between the financial years 2002/04.

Phase I was completed in September 2003 and included the introduction of bus lanes and infrastructure improvements along the A325 in Farnborough. These works have already contributed to an approximate 10% increase in passenger journeys (January 2003 to January 2004) a reduction in the average journey time and an improvement to the reliability. Stagecoach are considering a new timetable to further reduce the journey time.

Low-floor buses, bus lanes, a 15-minute frequency, an improved marketing campaign and the Phase I infrastructure improvements have all contributed to the growth in patronage for this service.

Phase II is due to be completed in June 2004 and these works are being carried out by Surrey County Council along the A30 in Camberley. These works will include the installation of new bus lanes to further improve the running time and reliability for buses on Service 1.

It is intended that Phase III will include bus stop infrastructure improvements to the bus stops between Farnborough College and Aldershot town centre as a scheme under this QBP agreement. It is also intended to install RTPI for Route 1, including electronic displays at the bus shelters. Phase III works will also assist in the dissemination of `off-street' RTPI for all bus services operating from the Aldershot Bus Depot in the form of mobile phone text messaging and through the internet. This will form part of the county-wide RTPI contract.

The County Council is committed to promoting public transport as a viable alternative to the private car. RTPI can pay a significant role in this process by providing accurate information on bus arrival times to passengers waiting at bus stops.

Real-time information is displayed on electronic variable message signs located within bus shelters. Automatic vehicle location technology fitted to buses enables vehicles to be tracked to identify where they are on the road network. A prediction of the bus arrival time at each bus stop is then calculated and relayed to waiting passengers via the electronic variable message signs, which display the route number, final destination and minutes to arrival for each bus.

Since the original STOPWATCH RTPI system was installed in Winchester in 1995, advances in technology have improved the operating characteristics of these systems. Information on bus arrival times are now not only displayed on electronic variable message signs within bus shelters, but can now be accessed whilst on the move, through the mobile telephone in the form of mobile phone text messaging or prior to travel eg in the home or office through the internet and/or intranets of large employers - especially those developing Green Travel Plans. This 'off-street' RTPI dissemination reaches a much wider audience of users and 'advertises' the service to potential users.

Details

The project has been allocated £300,000 from the Capital Programme 2004/05 to which will be added £170,000 from developers' contributions. This report deals with the RTPI proposals for Service 1 which will dovetail with the proposed infrastructure improvements.

Specific works will include:

(i) installing automatic vehicle location technology to the 84 vehicles making up the stagecoach bus fleet which operates out of Aldershot bus depot and serves Route 1;

(ii) installing approximately 22 'at stop' electronic variable message signs on the Hampshire section of Route 1 Aldershot to Old Dean Estate;

(iii) assisting with the implementation of mobile phone (SMS and WAP) and internet website for all bus services using the A325.

Stagecoach has provided the County Council with a list of the busiest stops for Service 1 which will guide investment for the installation of the RTPI display screens on the route.

The Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Group will manage the installation of the RTPI equipment as part of the county-wide RTPI contract.

It is expected that, once RTPI equipment has been installed along Route 1, passenger journey numbers will increase by 6%, adding approximately 5,000 extra passenger journeys a month.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The proposals are consistent with the objectives of providing greater travel choice and improved public transport systems. The development of QBPs is a key component of the County Council's policy of improving public transport by working in partnership with public transport operators. The County Council aims to encourage modal shift from private car to public transport and this scheme will help to achieve this.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

All scheme details will comply with all relevant United Kingdom/European standards together with Hampshire County Council's standards as appropriate.

Environmental Impact

Through the QBP agreement, public transport in the Aldershot and Farnborough areas is being substantially improved. The local environment will be aesthetically improved by new bus shelters, bus stop poles, access works and RTPI at most bus stops. The RTPI systems are housed internally so there will be no environmental impact from this new technology.

Land Requirements

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits.

Statutory Procedures

All necessary statutory requirements will be satisfied in the development of this proposal as necessary.

Public Consultation

As part of the Passenger Transport Group Best Value Review, Miller Associates carried out extensive market research and convened focus groups with Hampshire residents. The results show a very positive response to measures aimed at improving bus services, ie improved information, newer vehicles, better accessibility, new bus shelters and more frequent buses. These are all important elements for the bus service in and around the Eastleigh area and will be developed through the QBP.

Local Members' View

The local Members (Councillors Baulk, Mrs Devereux, Kimber, Roberts and Sheehan) have been informed, and all but Councillor Roberts, who wants a list of the busiest stops, have no comments.

Equalities

Electronic variable message signs can be enabled with a key fob audio speech facility for the visually impaired to make audio announcements of next bus departures.

Maintenance Implications

ITS equipment is designed to operate over a period of 10 to 15 years with only routine maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer. Beyond this period equipment may require upgrades or replacement. In addition they consume electricity and require connection to an appropriate telecommunication system, incurring call charges and rental.

The County Council has entered into an agreement with Orange to secure GPRS communications for the RTPI system at a competitive rate of £2 per SIM card (each vehicle) per month.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Successful public transport can help to reduce the sense of isolation of families that do not have access to a car. With a reliable public transport system and the resulting reduction in congestion, urban areas can become healthier and more attractive places to live, work and shop. Improved timetable information at bus stops and shelters can help to improve perceived personal safety.

Sustainability

Installation of the RTPI system and the upgrade to the bus stop infrastructure supports the County Council's policies to make best use of the existing transport network and ensure a sustainable transport facility for future generations of people in Hampshire.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Taking no action.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1.

Published works.

2.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE

LOCATION

Scheme Working File

Environment Department

Passenger Transport Strategy Team