Platform 2 Roma St and Busway Platform (INB) - some photos

[ozbob]

A few photographs of the INB at Roma St and Platform 2.

Bus passenger loading area, city end of platforms



Photograph R Dow 23 March 2008


Milton end



Photograph R Dow 23 March 2008


Track arrangement between platforms 2 and 3.
Note standard gauge 3'6" gauntlet track platform 2, standard gauge 3'6" three rail platform 3.



Photograph R Dow 23 March 2008


Standard gauge and 3'6" gauntlet track platform 2



Photograph R Dow 23 March 2008

This is a very unique location. Dedicated busway next to a gauntlet track! Not too many of those about I guess 

[ozbob]

Noticed this sign has appeared today (Mar 28)

Adjacent to platform 2 entrance (rail), photographed looking towards platform 10 direction.



Photograph R Dow 28 March 2008

[ozbob]

There will be an opportunity to walk the length of the INB on May 4th.
Details will be the press in the coming weeks.

The INB opens for business on the May 19th.

Cheers
Ozbob

[Zoiks]

I had the pleasure of meeting Ozbob today as he showed up to a presentation at my uni (QUT) given by a employee of Leighton. It was interesting to see the plans in detail.
One thing I noticed is that there will be roundabouts in this new busway. This is new as far as I am aware to the busway network. I wonder if it will solve the issues they are currently having with interesections on the SE Busway. It does concern me however as to how they will fit light rail to the roundabouts.

Other then that there was nothing much displayed that we have not seen before other then a few pictures of inside the busway terminal at KGS. Looks rather spiffy. I hope they fix the problems they are having atm with regards to the buses not relaying info to the sign boards on when they will arrive

[ozbob]

Nice to catch up with you Zoiks! 

Yes the roundabouts will give great utility to the busway.   There are two which will allow buses from the North and South to turn within the bus way itself after unloading as needed.

Look forward to having a look on the 4th May.

Cheers
Ozbob

[mufreight]

Future light rail on the busways,
in practical terms not likely,any reference to light rail is just another con job, a bit more spin to justify doing things on the cheap.

The busways themselves are being built in such a way as to render it impractical to add light rail at a later date without major reconstruction to enable the addition of tracks.

Consider the traffic gridlock in five years time if they close sections of busway to add light rail, where will they route the buses while they reconsttruct the busways to accomodate light rail, the roads are already at gridlock in peak.

Just a thought Cheers.

[ozbob]

New sign at Roma St for Bus platform 1 has just appeared. Near the escalator.



Photograph R Dow 2 April 2008

[david]

Future light rail on the busways,
in practical terms not likely,any reference to light rail is just another con job, a bit more spin to justify doing things on the cheap.

The busways themselves are being built in such a way as to render it impractical to add light rail at a later date without major reconstruction to enable the addition of tracks.

Consider the traffic gridlock in five years time if they close sections of busway to add light rail, where will they route the buses while they reconsttruct the busways to accomodate light rail, the roads are already at gridlock in peak.

The way I see it, buses can overtake each other. Overtaking for light rail is impossible unless they have more than one track. The planned 100 seater buses are a perfect example. Looks like light rail but can overtake/be overtaken if required. Light rail reaches capacity very quickly. Busways don't (apart from the Melbourne St portal which was designed ever so badly). Currently looking forward to a Western Busway from the City to Springfield via Milton Rd, Western Freeway and Centenary Highway and a South Western Busway to Moggill and Ipswich branching off the Western Busway at Indooroopilly!

[ozbob]

Busways do offer some flexibility.  But the actual carrying capacity is limited by the size of the units, even with 100 to 200 pax buses. In a two track space, heavy rail can reach 30,000 pax per hour, and does regularly in some parts of the world. Light rail can beat that, up to 40,000 pax or more per hour. Sections can be a lot closer than heavy rail. Busway about 7000 - 10000 pax max in the same space.

Ultimately rail is the solution for heavy loadings.  Busways where lighter loads, heavy/light rail for the bulk long haul.  It is a matter I think of proper integration and using the modes fit for purpose.

[Zoiks]

What are the differences between heavy and light rail?

[ozbob]

Heavy rail is the traditional rail for example as for QR 3'6" network, capacity for all sorts of trains of varying lengths with high axle loads.  Sections are necessarily longer to accommodate the long trains eg. coal trains.  Mixed traffic - freight and passenger.

Light rail lighter axle loads, therefore track more flexible.  Trams eg. Melbourne trams are an example of light rail.  Light rail can still be very high capacity as multiple units eg. trains of trams if you like, but can run very close together as light rail is usually dedicated to a specific purpose eg. passenger mass transit.

This gives a broad overview --> http://www.trainweb.org/kenrail/Rail_mode_defined.html

Brisbane had light rail in the form of trams once of course.  Modern light rail is very high capacity mass transit.
See http://www.lrta.org/  Light Rail Transit Association too, very interesting 

Many people when they hear light rail just think trams running on streets, it is that in some locations but these days modern light rail systems run on dedicated track and are superb.  The Gold coast might get light rail but there is a big bus lobby too.  Light rail is a bit more expensive initially but over time is a more cost effective solution.

[Zoiks]

So im guessing heavy rail has a higher top speed and can carry more passengers per carriage, so why does light rail have a higher pax/hour count?

I understand the difference, just dont see how it is more efficient at carrying passengers, although obviously it can go places heavy rail cant

[ozbob]

The highest capacity is heavy rail Metro like lines eg. London tube.

Light rail mass transit is high capacity as the units can be six carriages or more as needed but often 2 to 4 carriages can run every minute or even more frequent if needed, safely. The train sections can be short compared to normal heavy rail. Short sections higher frequency possible.  Light rail needs less substantial engineering works than heavy rail and can tolerate steeper grades.

The advantage then over the Metro is less expensive to establish.

For the real heavy loads dedicated metro as Sydney proposes to do is the ultimate solution. (see Sydney Link )

Again a matter of matching mode for purpose.

[Huggies]

Noted new Busway Station Sign at King George Square today. Letters in Orange and instead of the Busway Logo it has the Translink Logo.

[ozbob]

From: Translink click here!

[ozbob]

LCD screens have now been added to the platform 1 and 2 signs.



Photograph R Dow 7 April 2008

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Inside Brisbane's newest busways

Inside Brisbane's newest busways
Tony Moore | April 11, 2008 - 5:00AM

Busway construction in Brisbane will fill the transport agenda for the next five years while the State Government decides which road projects should go ahead to tackle congestion.

On Sunday, May 4, Brisbanites will have the chance to go underground to look through the new Inner-Northern Busway (INB).

The new $333 million busway runs from the Queen Street Busway, under King George Square, then along Roma Street to Roma Street station.

It is South-East Queensland's second busway, following the original South-East Busway which opened in 2000 and runs out through Brisbane's inner-southern suburbs.

The INB will open to commuters in June and, if traffic projections are correct, will save bus commuters 20 minutes on travel times in peak hour, and around nine minutes during the rest of the day.

This short trip is the missing link for commuters coming in to Brisbane's CBD from the northside, connecting with the existing busway out to Royal Brisbane Hospital at Herston, where construction has also begun on Brisbane's third busway.

The newest busway is the Northern Busway, running from RBH along Lutwyche Road to the Emergency Services Complex at Kedron.

It will be built in two stages - stage one from the hospital to Windsor by the end of 2009 (costing $198 million) and then from Windsor to Kedron by 2012, with a total cost of more than $700 million.

According to the State Government, the busway will have a major impact on public transport.

Construction started earlier this month, with Premier Anna Bligh talking through the project before leaving for her overseas trip.

"This is a key link to the existing Inner-Northern Busway and will greatly improve public transport access to the Royal Brisbane and Women's hospitals," Ms Bligh said.

"This section of the Northern Busway will cut travel times from the hospital and Windsor by almost five minutes."

The project includes an elevated busway from the existing Royal Children's Hospital busway station at Herston to a connection near Northey Street at nearby Windsor.

A connection for buses only will go over the top of the Inner-City Bypass and the rail line through to the Exhibition Grounds.

The government is estimating that the busway will have a major impact on public transport in Brisbane's inner-northern suburbs by the time it is completed to Kedron, increasing the number of trips using public transport by five times by 2026.

It predicts the northern busway - the major busway planned for Brisbane in the next 20 years - will reduce car travel on Lutwyche Road by up to 45 per cent.

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!


Piece of history makes way for busway

Piece of history makes way for busway
Tony Moore | April 11, 2008 - 5:00AM

A historic 1860s stormwater drain has been carefully dismantled and moved to make way for Brisbane's newest busway, which runs under King George Square.

The Wheat Creek culvert, one of the city's original stormwater drains, has been rebuilt and will be a wall feature when the Inner Northern Busway (INB) opens to the general public in mid-May.

VIDEO: Inside King George Square Station Brisbanetimes link

The culvert, which was originally on the Albert and Adelaide street intersection, is listed on the Queensland Government's Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) heritage list.

It is unclear what protection status the culvert has under this listing.

The EPA describes it in this way: "The Wheat Creek culvert at the intersection of Albert and Adelaide Street is one of the earliest surviving examples of a civil engineering project that was administered by the then newly-formed Brisbane Municipal Council. The culvert is still in use today as a stormwater drain.

"The culvert is also rare as stone ovoid drains were only constructed in the early 1860s. By the 1870s drains were constructed mainly of cheaper brick."

It was shifted from the intersection of Adelaide and Albert streets during construction last year and has been rebuilt as a feature in one wall of the busway.

Meanwhile, singer Shannon Noll will go underground in the same tunnel in the name of charity.

Noll will star at a massive charity ball under King George Square on May 10 to mark the finish of the INB.

The INB is the new $333 million busway that connects from the Queen Street Busway under King George Square and up Roma Street to the Brisbane Transit Centre.

Queensland Transport estimates 300 buses an hour will use the busway tunnel. The busway will begin operating from mid-May, providing links to the next stage of busways along Bowen Bridge and Lutwyche Road.

Today, contractors Dave McDonald and carpenter Shane Mosen took time out to try the table settings for the ball where 1000 guests will dine to raise money for the Red Cross and for the Wesley Mission.

But it won't all be about gravel and rock.

Performance artist Brian Olsen has been asked to create artworks on the night, which will also be auctioned for the two charities.

The evening will be hosted by comedian Peter Rowsthorn, star of the hit TV series Kath and Kim.

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
16/04/2008

What's been happening under Brisbane's streets?

Deep under the streets of Brisbane a project that will save commuters up to 20 minutes of travel time in peak hours and significantly reduce congestion in the CBD is about to be unveiled to the public.

The $333 million Inner Northern Busway (INB) will be launched by Premier Anna Bligh at a public "Discovery Day" on Sunday, 4 May 2008 prior to becoming operational on Monday, 19 May.

"The INB will run 250 buses in the morning peak hour and greatly improve the reliability and consistency of bus services in the city," Premier Bligh said.

"As part of the project a new underground busway station has been built beneath King George Square as well as a busway station integrated with Roma Street rail station.

"Brisbane's busway network is delivering fast, frequent and more reliable bus services to better connect people and places."

"This government is delivering major projects that will benefit all commuters we are spending $1.6 million dollars an hour each and every day building and re-building infrastructure in this state," Premier Bligh said.

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the INB will be a vital link in the busway net work.

"The INB will be the heart of the busway network connecting the already successful South East Busway to the Northern Busway, which has recently commenced construction," he said.

"The INB will provide improved bus connections between the city centre and the suburbs, particularly in the north.

"It will also be one of the premier examples of bus and rail integration in the country with hundreds of bus and rail services meeting every day at Roma Street Station."

As part of its unique design, the INB features an underground station at King George Square with air conditioned busway platforms and concourse level, 24 hour security with cameras, real time information for bus travellers, a fully functional Cycle Centre with racks, change facilities and lockers, and a first-in-Australia interactive Transport Information Centre (TIC).

The construction of the INB includes environmental design features including the use of natural light and ventilation where possible and recycled water and water saving options throughout.

Over 33,000 cubic metres of clean fill and 50,000 cubic metres of weathered rock were removed during construction and over 31,000 cubic metres of concrete (8 truck loads of concrete every day for 22 months) was used.

Premier Bligh said construction on the INB has been achieved over six months ahead of schedule with minimal disruption to traffic, pedestrians, businesses and heritage listed buildings in the CBD.

"Environmental considerations during construction were important, resulting in the INB saving around 2 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (equivalent to taking 430 cars off the road for a year) and planted 5 155 trees to offset carbon dioxide produced during construction.

"People have the opportunity to find out more about how the busway was built and how it will operate I invite them to come to the Inner Northern Busway Discovery Day on Sunday, 4 May from 10 am to 2 pm," the Premier said.

This will be the community's only opportunity to walk the 750 metres between the King George Square busway station and the Roma Street station - all for a gold coin donation.

There will also be children's rides as well as food and drink for sale on the day, with all funds raised going to local Brisbane charities

April 16, 2008

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[Matt]

I wonder what exactly is " weathered rock " ??

[stephenk]

As this thread has been resurrected, I should correct a few statements made in thread.

Light rail capacity vs heavy rail capacity.

Passenger carrying capacity = number of trains per hour x capacity of train.

Light rail (trams, light rail, light metro) has trains varying in length from roughly 25m to 75m and 2.1 to 2.7m width. Heavy rail (suburban rail and heavy metro) has trains varying in length from roughly 40m to 220m and 2.3 to 3.2m in width.

Light rail can run up to around 40tph. Heavy rail can run up to around 30tph, but in some cases such as Moscow and Paris Metro can run up 38tph.

The highest theoretical capacity of any light rail system is Manila's (which is fully segregated from road transit and has heavy rail length trains - 130m) at 40,000pphpd. The highest theoretical capacity of any heavy rail system is Tokyo's Chuo Line at 91,000pphpd!

The highest realistic theoretical capacities of busways are around 20,000pphpd (mainly in Brazil), although Bogata claims 40,000pphpd (maybe whoever worked that out was sampling some of Colombia's produce).