Final Proposal

for
Public Bus Transportation in Windsor: Some Challenging Issues

Submitted by
Team-10

Ajay Aadithya Rajasekaran 110020376

Baman Tadiwala 110020762
Hardeep Kumar 110022178
Sanket Zimbre 110006025

Submitted to
Dr. Victoria Abboud
 DECLARATION

We, Ajay Aadithya Rajasekaran, Baman Tadiwala, Hardeep Kumar, and Sanket Zimbre
declare that the final proposal submitted on Public Bus Transportation in Windsor: Some
Challenging Issues is not copied from any published or proprietary source. We further declare
that this work is genuine as well as distinctive and not submitted to any other organization.

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................... iii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................. iv

1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 1

2. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES .......................................................................................... 1

3. LITERATURE REVIEW .............................................................................................................. 1

4. CRITERIA .................................................................................................................................... 2

5. PROPOSAL DESIGN ................................................................................................................... 3

5.1 SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM .......................................................................................... 3

5.2 COST ESTIMATION............................................................................................................. 4

5.3 CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................................... 4

6. RECCOMENDATION .................................................................................................................. 5

APPENDIX-A................................................................................................................................... 5

REFERENCES.................................................................................................................................. 7

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Cost Estimation for Infrastructure Facility……………………………………………4

Table II: Cost Estimation for Self-driven Buses………………………………………………4

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Sustainable Cities and Communities is the 11th goal suggested by United Nations under the
chapter of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [1]. After filtering the objectives of this
goal, we felt that having a sustainable transport system is one of the challenging issues globally.
On narrowing our exploration explicitly to the city of Windsor, we discovered several problems
which thwarts Windsor to have a sustainable transport system [2]. Some of these problems
include minimal recurrence of transports during Saturday and Sunday, overcrowding during
top hours [3], inadequate infrastructural facility at a few transit points, internal issues like
increment of fares [4], and strike notices [5], substantial higher mishap rates by public buses
on paths committed to cycles [6], and non-renewable fuel emission from buses and its perilous
impact on public wellbeing [2].

Thorough examination of all the above listed problems drove us to present cost efficient and
feasible solutions which when implemented can help the public transportation system in
Windsor to become more sustainable. We discovered that by following the method of optimum
bus scheduling [7] and collecting statistical data about bus occupancy, the issue of congestion
and less recurrence of transports during weekend can be resolved. Implementing the model of
fare payment on basis of destination-to-destination rather than the lump-sum payment of the
entire route can control the effect of overall fare rise. Also, constructing more extensive paths
for bikes and actualizing the utilization of self-propelled buses can lessen the pace of mishaps
[8]. Our main emphasis has been on the public health and environment. Therefore, we
concluded that the usage of green and self-driven buses can reduce the pollution and cause less
harm to public health [9].

The general venture cost for executing self-propelled and green transports would be a rough
estimate of $750,000. The expense of building a travel point would be vary between $150-$200
per unit feet, whereas it would cost $27,240 for signalled bicycle path. [8]

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1. INTRODUCTION

Windsor has one the most affordable and smooth public bus transportation services in Ontario.
However, we cannot say that it is a sustainable transport system because of persisting
operational and infrastructural limitations associated to it. The report provides a brief
description of these issues and attempts to provide a feasible and sustainable solutions to these
problems. By amending these solutions, Windsor can contribute towards the global goal of
Sustainable Cities and Communities.

2. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Commuters mainly experience difficulty during the weekend as the bus frequency is very less.
Also, during the peak hours the buses are mostly packed. People experience great difficulty
during winters while standing at transit points devoid of proper infrastructure. Moreover, the
accident rate of 57.7% by buses on cycle lanes [6] is a serious issue to tackle. The Carbon
emission from gasoline based public buses not only causes harm to the environment, but also
affects the public health.

The main objective of this proposal is to address these problems and provide economical and
cost-effective solution. We aim to present accurate solutions and conclusion for all our claims.
Although implementations of some of the solutions may seem challenging at first, however;
they have been practised on a larger scale in past. For example, Candiac became the first city
in Canada to operate self-driving buses. The provincial government invested $750000 for
implementing this project [8].

3. LITERATURE REVIEW

Brancaccio [11] condemned the Windsor Transit stating its inefficiency during peak hours. The
senior inhabitants had to hang tight outside for the following transport in the day off. As of
late, the notifications of formal strike from the Labour Group questions the scheduling of the
buses.

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Carbon discharge emission from the vehicles affects our environment. According to a report
published by Infrastructure Canada, transit congestion expands fuel utilization and
contaminates air to a great extent. In 2015, out of Canada’s 24% of absolute natural discharges,
the gasoline-based transportation was the second biggest contributor of Green House Gas
emanations [10]. In 2017, the Government of Canada announced a whopping $81 billion
budget up to year 2027-2028 for adopting green foundation. From this sum, $20.1 billion will
be invested for implementing self-driven and green buses for public transit [10].

Toronto can be partially termed as a sustainable city because it has taken a positive step for the
public health. The city recently sanctioned a green fleet plan where one of the main objectives
is to reduce the Green House Gas emission up to 80% by the end of 2050 [12].

Salzborn’s Optimum Bus Scheduling method is useful to resolve the issue of less bus frequency
and prolonged waiting time. Upon acquiring the statistical data, the mathematical equations
about minimum fleet size of a single bus route, and minimum waiting time provides accurate
results [7]. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Highway Safety Research Center has
done extensive research and estimated the cost for constructing broader bicycle lanes on the
routes dedicated to public buses [11].

4. CRITERIA

This report is made in regard to the following criteria:

1. On basis of the disadvantages of the present transit model in Windsor.

2. Economical, cost-effective, and feasible approach towards solution.
3. Factors making public transport system sustainable [2].
4. Solutions pertaining to public health and safety are given higher preference.
5. The cost estimated for the proposal is in regard with the investment of $81 billion for the
sustainable infrastructure development by the Government of Canada [10].
6. Research conducted by reputed organizations for the sustainable transport problem in past.

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5. PROPOSAL DESIGN

5.1 SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

Optimum bus scheduling method is an effective way to have proper scheduling of buses during
weekends in Windsor. The formulas given in Appendix-A by Salzborn [7] are accurate enough
to give an estimate of number of buses according to the capacity of the passengers during a
particular time frame. However, this method needs some statistical data like “passenger arrival
rate” [7] to get more accurate analysis to solve the issue of overcrowding in buses. By
implementing this method, we can minimize the number of buses during weekdays when there
is less or almost no occupancy, and such minimized number of buses can be scheduled to run
on weekends. Further Salzborn’s “variation of calculus technique” [7] will minimize the
passenger waiting time during weekends.

It becomes very essential to arrange secure and viable bicycle transport route alongside the
regular route in Windsor. Studies have indicated accident rate of 57.7% [6] on routes dedicated
to bicycles by public buses. Therefore, through the structure or update of the current roadways
in Windsor, the accident rates can be significantly reduced

Pollution from public transport vehicles affects the general health and leads to a disease like
asthma [2]. Using bio-fuels can not only reduce the amount of pollution, but can also prove to
be a cheaper alternative than gasoline [14]. This way, the current increasing fares can also be
regulated efficiently. Most of the accidents occur due to human error, so by using electric self-
driven buses the fatalities can reduce.

In Windsor, the current fare of $ 3 is charged for the entire route [15]. If the government
approves the proposal of green and self-driven buses in Windsor, then the passengers could be
charged on the basis of their destination and not the entire route.

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5.2 COST ESTIMATION

The estimated cost for building proper shelters at some of the transit points would range
between S150-$200 [10]. However, the cost is variant because it depends on many factors such
as the material of construction, installation of utilities, dimension, etc. Therefore, always the
median cost is taken into consideration [13]. Similarly, Table I provides cost estimate for
constructing broader roads for bicycles.

TABLE I
COST ESTIMATION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITY [13]

Infrastructural Facility Median Cost

Shared Lane/Bicycle $ 160
Marking
Signalled Bicycle Route $ 27,240

Based on the information obtained from the public bus transportation in Candiac, Table II gives
cost estimation of green and self-driven buses.

TABLE II
COST ESTIMATION FOR SELF-DRIVEN BUSES [8]

Cost of one self-driven bus $400,000

Operating Cost $350,000
Total Cost $750,000

5.3 CONCLUSION

By usage of self-driven and green public transport vehicles, the level of pollution decreases
and overall hazardous effect of green house gases on public health also diminishes. Green
buses reduce the transport cost, thereby reducing the overall fare too. Moreover, optimum
scheduling method gives us accurate data about scheduling buses on weekends. This method
also resolves the issue of overcrowding in the bus. The cost predicted about making suitable
infrastructure can also be amended with regard to the funds released by the government.

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6. RECCOMENDATION

As stated earlier in the report, our main focus has been on the public health and environment.
Therefore, on basis of $ 20.1 billion budget declared by the Government of Canada towards
green infrastructure and public transport [10], we strongly recommend the implementation of
green and self-driven buses for public transportation. Alternatively, bio-fuel transport
vehicles can also be tested in order to regulate the rising fares and control the level of
pollution.

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APPENDIX-A

Minimum fleet size on a single bus route can be calculated from the formula given below.

t T
c(t)
∫ d(t)dt ≤ ∫ dt , for all t ∈ [𝛌, T].
B
t−𝛌 T−𝛌

where,
λ = return time;
d(t) = bus departure rate at time t; (0 ≤ t ≤ T)
c(t) = passenger arrival rate at time t; (0 ≤ t ≤ T)
B = capacity of one bus.

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REFERENCES

[1] United Nations. “Sustainable Development Goals.” https://www.un.org/sustainable

development/cities/ (accessed Jan. 31, 2020).
[2] D. Banister, “The sustainable mobility paradigm,” Transport Policy, vol. 15, pp. 73-80,
2008. [Online]. Research Gate, www.doi.10.1016/j.tranpol.2007.10.005.org. [Accessed:
Jan. 31, 2020].
[3] B. Cross. “Buses packed with college students bypass frustrated Transit Windsor riders.”
https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/buses-packed-with-college-students-bypass-
frustrated-transit-windsor-riders. (accessed Feb. 1, 2020).
[4] T. Brownbridge. “Riders upset with Transit Windsor fare hike.” https://windsorstar.
com/news/local-news/riders-upset-with-transit-windsor-fare-hike (accessed Feb. 1, 2020).
[5] M. Borrelli. “Transit Windsor warns riders of possible strike next week.” https://
windsor.ctvnews.ca/transit-windsor-warns-riders-of-possible-strike-next-week-1.4752249
(accessed Jan. 31, 2020).
[6] Bike Windsor Essex, “Community Input for the 2018 City of Windsor,” Bike Windsor
Essex, Windsor, 2018.
[7] F. Salzborn, “Optimum Bus Scheduling,” Transportation Science, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 137–
148, 1972. [Online]. Pubs online, www.doi.org/10.1287/trsc.6.2.137. [Accessed: Mar. 03,
2020].
[8] S. Leavitt, “Canada's first self-driving shuttle using public roads coming to Candiac | CBC
News,” CBCnews, Aug. 10, 2018. [Online]. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/
montreal/autonomous-vehicles-shuttle-candiac-1.4780847. (accessed: Mar. 02, 2020).
[9] Canadian Urban Transit Association. “Clean Energy Helps City of Red Deer Buses Go
Green, Keep Rolling,” May 24, 2018. [Online]. https://cutaactu.ca/en/news-media/latest-
news/clean-energy-helps-city-red-deer-buses-go-green-keep-rolling. (accessed: Mar. 02,
2020).
[10] Infrastructure Canada. “2017-2020 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.”
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/pub/other-autre/dsds-smdd-2017-2020-eng.html
(accessed Feb. 1, 2020).

[11] N. Brancaccio. “Buses packed with college students bypass frustrated Transit Windsor
riders.” https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/buses-packed-with-college-students-
bypass-frustrated-transit-windsor-riders (accessed Feb. 2, 2020).

[12] City of Toronto, “The City of Toronto 2019 - 2023 Green Fleet Plan (The Pathway to
Sustainable City of Toronto Fleets) and 2014-2018 Green Fleet Plan Results and Wrap-
Up,” City of Toronto, Toronto, 2019.

[13] Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Centre, “Costs for Pedestrian and Bicyclist
Infrastructure Improvements,” University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 2017.

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[14] C. Hafizan, N. Zainura, “Biofuel: advantages and disadvantages based on Life Cycle
Assessment (LCA) perspective,” Journal of Environmental Research and Development,
vol. 7, pp. 1444-1449, June 2013. [Online]. http:/ /www. jerad.org/ dispabstract. php? V
ID=1015. [Accessed: Mar. 04, 2020].

[15] The city of Windsor. “Schedules & Maps.” https://www.citywindsor.ca /residents

/transitwindsor/Routes-and-Schedules/Pages/Schedules-and-Maps.aspx (accessed Feb.
1, 2020).