We worked as a contractor of Metropolitan Association for the Sustainable Development of Public Transport Brasov (AMDDTPBv) on the developmnet of the public transport system of Brasov, Romania in 2023 and 2024. (This organization serves as the public transport authority of the city and the surrounding metropolitan area.)
Our team assessed and used the benefits and possibilities of applying network-based methodologies and synchronised timetable schemes during the planning phase, rather then continouing the previously used, traditional-based system, that was no longer able to fulfill the increased demand of mobility in the city.
We offered possible solutions (as small-scale timetable-synchronization and network modifications) for the missing connections of extenively developimng areas that are easy to implement and have huge impact, while not requiring significant changes in the volume of the current service.
We have explored and assessed the current system’s characteristics, including the field of network, timetable and passenger information system. The operational rolling stock, the already built infrastructure in the city, and the limitations posed by these areas have also been explored, in order to have a complex vision and understanding of the current state, the development possibilities and the history / practices associated with city’s public transport.
Our team has performed several field visits in the city to complete on-site evaluations of the local situation, and to collect accurate data regarding passenger usage of the services. In addition, we performed regular in-person and online meetings with both the authority (AMDDTPBv) and the local transport operator (RATBV).
Our priority during the planning process was to create a system that is passenger-friendly, easy to understand, simple to manage and serves the most important transfer needs, what makes possible to synchronize the lines that have longer common sections. We used a two-stage modelling method: started the process with an Excel-based, simplified synchronization model, then – as the second stage – continued with the visualization of the timetables and network, by using the DPK CityLineDesigner software.
We have created several different versions and options in every case, and every option was presented to our client with all the benefits and limitations. We have validated our network develpment-plans (including the stakeholders adaptation needs) with the help of a demo bus-trip, performed together with our client and the local operator.
Besides these, we have shared several suggested improvements regarding the passenger information system (for example the revision of the method of bus stop namings, or the necesarry improvements of passenger information displayed at the stops). In addition, we have created a completely new, GTFS-based schematic network map for the city, that has replaced the old, outdated, no longer accurate version the city had before (this new map is able to automatically follow the changes of the GTFS dataset of the city, so it is always up to date).
Client:
Asociatia Metropolitana pentru Dezvoltarea Durabila a Transportului Public Brasov (AMDDTPBv)
Year of fulfilment:
2023–2024
