Corridors Matter but do not Neglect Connectivity in the System as a Whole ! Professor David A. Hensher FASSA Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies Faculty of Economics and Business The University of Sydney June BITRE Colloquium Canberra

Some Big Themes Transport Themes Accessibility Connectivity Doing better with what works Roads serve Public Transport and Freight Activity Multiple agents in value chains Blind Commitment vs. Choice –Technology fixation –LRT and/or Busway Systems –Heavy Rail Value for Money Common Themes Strategic Thinking Wealth (who pays) –Willingness to pay –Ability to pay Priority Sustainability Affordability Funding and PPP’s Service Quality and Value for Money Demographics Aging Population Incentives Popularist views (informed and uninformed???)

The story about the system and the relevant PT Subtitle – relatively too much focus on projects and corridors Which is fine if it passes the system test in terms of maximising net social benefit

Connectivity is more important than density per se

Fixed Guideway (BRT, LRT…) What densities?

Appealing but……

Rail Thinking

Informed Bus Thinking

This looks like what Sydney needs

Warning (Reminder) With so much focus on corridors in metro areas we simply will not have the money to fix the network or system Sydney: At least 50-60% passenger trip activity not served by corridors in place or proposed

Frequency and Connectivity in addition to Scale If we want to focus on a future with PT, then Network-based Frequency and connectivity (and visibility) is what it is all about and this can be accommodated by –Flexible PT. –PT should be encouraged to be innovative in its delivery of frequency and connectivity –Serious focus on feeders and trunks – ‘networks not corridors’ Furthermore given Australian OD densities, bus based systems (BRT) are ideal. –They also are deliverable from the private sector and small (efficient) operators. –Value for money

Total infrastructure costs per kilometre ($m2006) Hensher, D.A. and Golob, T.F. (2008) Bus rapid transit systems – A comparative assessment. Transportation, 34,

Summary results for Various Policy Instruments ($2007) (Policy enacted from 2009) Melbourne

Road Infrastructure and Public Transport Rethinking Infrastructure –A Super HOT lane and Premium Tolls etc Keep the car users happy! Premium tolls Toll differential revenue used to support public transport Win win? –Non-car lanes Buses are scarce Car users complain about under-utilised bus lanes So put the trucks in there and cars win So do trucks –All tolled roads in future should have dedicated busways all the way for the long haul commuter etc Do not mix with short haul feeder as suggested yesterday

It is about Accessibility vs. Mobility Generally, mobility is closely related to the level of service provided on the transport system. –Higher levels of service represent lower costs per kilometre of travel. –Thus, increases in capacity of the system will almost always lead to an increase in mobility. Accessibility, however, is related to destinations, and therefore requires attention both to land use patterns and to the quality of destinations.

Thank You Think Networks and not Corridors