When it comes to the ratio of cars per person, Prague is one of the top cities in Europe; unfortunately this has a negative impact on the speed of public transport. Nevertheless since 1996, when it comes to changes in the city, public transport has been given top priority. To help this along, there are special bus lanes and even technical support for trams all the way from the “green wave” to marking out tramlines with speed humps.
The noticeable preference for public transport in Prague shows that, at least from 1996, that it is thoroughly used. It also demonstrates that public transport, especially in central areas, is faster than cars.
How are trams prioritized?
The operation of trams has been speeded up, thanks to the priority given by traffic light signals. As of January 2007, traffic light signals have been installed at 103 cross roads, out of which, 45 trams have absolute preference and at 58, conditional. Altogether there are 203 tram cross roads on Prague’s network where trams have preference. Speed humps, of which there are 9km, are still being built in places where it’s technically possible.
Prioritizing for buses
Buses are often obstructed by the sheer volume of cars and so in some places cities have marked out bus lanes. These are marked with times when this lane is for buses only. Other lanes for buses are on tram lanes where cars aren’t allowed. Dedicated bus lanes, apart from shared tram lanes, are nearly 12 km long.
Within the framework of the European commission’s project TRENDSETTER, buses are being prioritised at traffic light controlled cross roads. It’s a system much more complicated than with trams, where trams are registered by a loop circuit. In 2002 the first two cross roads were commissioned where bus drivers can, thanks to radio communication with the system, and thanks to infra red timing technology, cut their waiting time. The system is connected with timetables of individual bus routes, which are available in an onboard computer.
By 2008 there should be 55 light operated cross roads added to the project and 352 buses will be equipped with communication systems. A trial of this system will be carried out with 32 trams.