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Operations Planning

This section of the site addresses the issue of operations planning. The term “operations planning” is used to describe the activities that occur before service introduction therefore discriminating between service planning, which focuses on setting frequency and schedule. Critical activities that need to be addressed before service introduction include contingency planning in which agency staff responses to critical events are established, setting timetables, scheduling vehicles, driver selection, training and crew assignments, support and supervisory staff training.

The level of contingency peculiar to the BRT system will depend on the number of elements that distinguish it from the more customary local service. If the BRT system operates as an enhanced express service than existing contingency planning will be sufficient, however if dedicated barrier separated rights of way are used then additional measures must be considered. These events could include access for emergency services, recovery of and rerouting around a disabled vehicle and maintenance operations. The temporary rerouting of service will require a significant passenger information element, which will ensure that passengers are able to access and egress the system with the minimum of discomfort. Issues such as curb height at an alternative loading area may impact service particularly if the BRT service has been designed for level boarding without wheelchair lifts.

The process of selecting and training drivers will generally need to be negotiated with the labor union. While agency management may want their best and most personable operators on the new service, existing labor agreements may preclude driver selection on anything other than seniority.

Route supervisors are generally the first responder in the event of an incident. Procedures for addressing all likely incidents need to be developed.

Author: Graham Carey