Comets - A Pre-Feasibility Study of a Bus Rapid Transit in Chennai

Abstract

This analysis was carried out to examine the viability and advantages of a Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) in the city of Chennai. The objectives of the undertaken project, titled Chennai Omnibus Metropolitan Transport Service (COMeTS), are: - To decongest the main roads which are choked to a breaking point. - To provide the citizens with an alternative means of transport which is faster and more comfortable than the current options. - To check air pollution's threat to the well-being of the citizens - To gradually reduce the city's dependence on diesel supply.

The data required for this analysis can be classified under the following categories: - Transport: What are the modes of transport used by people and the reasons for the choice not being public transport, specifically why the choice was not buses. - Population: Origin-destination data, distribution of population and timings of peak hours were some of the statistics used to map routes. - Individual Vehicular: What are the feasible options with which MRTS can be substituted to as to attract people towards public transport. - Road Usage: The routes which were overcrowded and/or underserved were given a higher priority than the other routes.

What has been presented here is a pre-feasibility analysis of Phase I with a few estimates and an otherwise qualitative analysis of the Phases following it, namely Phase II and Phase III. A well planned application of modern technology is the job half done. The remaining parts are the execution of the plans and mapping the response to concretise the remaining Phases. This shall need the co-operation of the MTC and the Government of Tamil Nadu. The MTC shall have to modify some of its existing systems and will have to undertake a modest amount, with respect to the benefits offered, of infrastructure development. This shall be mostly of a general nature and shall be useful even if the plans did not work out. The state transport authority shall have to assist with the implementation of the plans by providing the necessary resources, and if the project is centrally managed then the capital as well. The prospects are bright and this definitely is the way forward.

Keywords: bus, rapid, transit, system, BRTS, Chennai, Madras, Tamil Nadu