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==Vision==
==Vision==
I live on Geary St, and when I don't ride my bike, I take the 38 line (which is reported to be the most utilized bus line west of the Missippi).  To get downtown, the bus stops every two blocks for (6 mi) and it takes 45min. Due to the inconvienance of this, the local transportation agency, MUNI has implemented an "express bus" which only stops 3 or 4 times and gets downtown in 25 min.  I see these seets being installed on express busses like this which would greatly increase ridership on this type of bus.  
I live on Geary Blvd. in San Francisco Ca, and when I don't ride my bike, I take the 38 line (which is reported to be the most utilized bus line west of the Missippi).  To get downtown, the bus stops every two blocks for (6 mi) and it takes 45min. Due to the inconvienance of this, the local transportation agency, MUNI has implemented an "express bus" which only stops 3 or 4 times and gets downtown in 25 min.  I see these seets being installed on express busses like this which would greatly increase ridership on this type of bus.


==Further Research/Ideas==
==Further Research/Ideas==

Revision as of 23:58, 16 July 2008

The space under train and bus seating goes under utilized. This article points out that by redesigning this space it is possible to increase storage capacites on public transportation with the specific intent of making folding bike use more appealing.

Current Conditions

For my model, I used the Caltrain cummuter rail system which currently runs between San Francisco an San Jose, California. This document was originally produced as a public comment for their Bicycle Master Plan, but the principles can be applied on most public transport systems.

Caltrain runs two models of passenger cars. The newer Bombardier BiLevel Coach (Bombardier Cars) and the older Nippon Sharyo gallery-type cars (Gallery Cars). The layouts for both models, with very different seating arrangements are below (to be uploaded soon!).

Method

Data obtained for this analysis was gathered from a variety of sources:

  • Layouts for the trains, Exhibits 1 and 2, were obtained via reference 3.
  • Dimensions for common folding bikes, Table 1, were obtained from a variety of manufacturer and distributor websites for the bikes.
  • Dimensions for the seats, Figures 1 and 2, were obtained with a measuring tape.

Proposed Conditions

Bombardier

There are many ways to increase the available storage space. The height of this space might be increased by creating a small depression in the floor under the seat, or by making the seat under the occupant only two or three inches wide instead of eight. Access to this space might be aided by a drawer mechanism or a cantilevering seat. Also, this space might be made more useful by removing or changing the location of the under seat support. Creating this storage space would not only provide space for folding bikes but also increase space for other kinds of luggage.

As can bee seen, a reasonable retrofit of the existing Bombardier seat, the existing Bombardier seat is presented in Figure 2, could provide a space of 35”x 15”x 43” if the seat cushions were to be slimmed to 2 inches, the support moved, and 1 inch of extra space was provided in each dimension. Compared with Table 1, this would accommodate most existing folding bikes.

There are obviously a lot logistical and mechanical concerns regarding how the bikes are placed into the space, how they would be secured, and how the seats would be supported if their primary support was moved in some way. I only want to point out that this retrofit might be possible, and it seems reasonable that people would make use of the space if it was available.

Gallery

Benefit

The benefit of such a retrofit would be to increase the effective radius of service for each bus or train stop. Walking is slow and people are only willing to walk to a stop if they live within a half mile of the stop. Folding bikes would increase this radius to around 3 miles. This increase in radius means that there would need to be fewer lines to serve the same population. Also, the bus/train would have fewer stops to make, which would lead to more efficient transportation. Most importantly however, is that this improvement is dirt cheep which means that these gains can be made at what might end up being a negative cost (reducing stops and increasig ridership might provide more savings than the seets cost).

Vision

I live on Geary Blvd. in San Francisco Ca, and when I don't ride my bike, I take the 38 line (which is reported to be the most utilized bus line west of the Missippi). To get downtown, the bus stops every two blocks for (6 mi) and it takes 45min. Due to the inconvienance of this, the local transportation agency, MUNI has implemented an "express bus" which only stops 3 or 4 times and gets downtown in 25 min. I see these seets being installed on express busses like this which would greatly increase ridership on this type of bus.

Further Research/Ideas

None of this is proven. Therefore, if you are the academic type, you can do a cost analysis to try to assess what the costs and benefits of this change would imply for a transportation agency. If you are the engineering type, you can build a prototype seat to see how well the idea works. If you are a transportation agency, you can install these kinds of seets on one or two busses and run a pilot program. If you in business/manufacturing, make a company that produces these seets. If this is just another crack pot shceme, add it to the pile.

References

[1] http://www.mv-voice.com/morgue/2004/2004_07_16.caltrain.shtml

[2] http://www.sbw.org/caltrain/bike_master_plan_key_findings_public_presentation_6-08.pdf

[3] http://www.caltrain.com/engineeringstandards/engineering_standards/PCJPB_Stnd_for_Design_Maintenance_of_Structures_2003_web.pdf

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