Guided bus#Kerb guidance

{{Distinguish|Road-rail bus|Railbus|Rail replacement bus service}}

{{Redirect|Tram bus|buses that look similar to trams|Bi-articulated bus}}

Image:Mercedes-Benz O 305 on guided busway in Adelaide.jpg bus on the O-Bahn Busway route in Adelaide, Australia]]

Guided buses are buses capable of being steered by external means, usually on a dedicated track or roll way that excludes other traffic, permitting the maintenance of schedules even during rush hours. Unlike railbuses, trolleybuses or rubber-tyred trams, for part of their routes guided buses are able to share road space with general traffic along conventional roads, or with conventional buses on standard bus lanes. Guidance systems can be physical, such as kerbs or guide bars, or remote, such as optical or radio guidance.

A guided buses line can be categorised as bus rapid transit and may be articulated bus and bi-articulated bus, allowing more passengers, but not as many as light rail or trams, which are not constrained to a regulated maximum size in order to freely navigate public roads.

History

File:Haworth Perambulator crop.jpg

=Precursors=

The kerb-guided bus (KGB) guidance mechanism is a development of the early flangeways, pre-dating railways. The Gloucester and Cheltenham Tramroad{{cite book|last=Bick|first=D. E.|title=The Gloucester and Cheltenham Railway and the Leckhampton Quarry Tramroads|year=1968|publisher=Oakwood Press}}

of 1809 therefore has a claim to be the earliest guided busway. There were earlier flangeways, but they did not carry passengers.{{cite book|last=Schofield|first=R. B.|title=Benjamin Outram 1764–1805: an engineering biography|year=2000|publisher=Merton Priory|location=Cardiff|isbn=1-898937-42-7}}{{cite web|last=Wagonway Research Circle|title=Plateways/tramways – overview and list of some available resources|url=http://www.island-publishing.co.uk/WRC_mirror/wrc_plateways_contents.html|publisher=Island Publishing|date=20 May 2010}} From 1861 to 1872 another system with one central grooved rail was used in the Manchester region.{{cite web |title=Horse Trams on Rail and Road |url=https://www.tramwayinfo.com/tramways/Articles/Ehorse.htm |website=www.tramwayinfo.com |access-date=16 February 2025}}

=Modern examples=

The first modern guided busway system was opened in 1980 in Essen, Germany. This was initially a demonstration track, but it was periodically expanded and is still in operation as of 2019.{{Cite web | url=https://citytransport.info/OBahn.htm | title=Bus Priority Systems (Bus Rapid Transit) – Special Feature on Kerb Guided Buses (O-Bahn) }}

The first guided busway in the United Kingdom was in Birmingham, the Tracline 65, {{convert|1968|ft|m}} long, experimentally in 1984.Tracline 65 Buses issue 357 December 1984 page 538 It closed in 1987.Back on Track Bus & Coach Preservation December 2019 pages 12–14

Based on the experience in Essen, in 1986 the Government of South Australia opened the O-Bahn Busway in Adelaide.O-Bahn is open for business Truck & Bus Transportation March 1986 pages 40–43Adelaide's O-Bahn Australian Bus Panorama issue 1/5 May 1986 pages 3–8 This is a 12-kilometre guided busway with 2 interchanges along the route. (Klemzig Interchange & Paradise Interchange) before ending at Tee Tree Plaza Interchange.The Adelaide O-Bahn Busway Australian Bus issue 32 March 2009 pages 23–27

In Mannheim, Germany, from May 1992 to September 2005 a guided busway shared the tram alignment for a few hundred metres, which allowed buses to avoid a congested stretch of road where there was no space for an extra traffic lane. It was discontinued, as the majority of buses fitted with guide wheels were withdrawn for age reasons. There are no plans to convert newer buses.{{cite web |last=Smiler |first=Simon |date=1998-01-20 |title=Special Feature On Kerb Guided Buses (O-Bahn) |url=https://citytransport.info/OBahn.htm |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=Bus Priority Systems (Bus Rapid Transit)}}

The Nagoya Guideway Bus opened in March 2001 and is the only guided bus line in Japan.

The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway between Cambridge and St Ives, at {{convert|25|km|abbr=off}}, is the world's longest guided busway.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-14401265 | work=BBC News | title=Cambridgeshire guided busway opens to passengers | date=7 August 2011}}

Between 2004 and 2008, a {{convert|1.5|km|0|order=flip|adj=on}} section of guided busway was in operation between Stenhouse and Broomhouse in the west of Edinburgh. The route was later converted for use by Edinburgh trams.{{cite web |title=£10.5m bus project comes on track |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4060529.stm |website=BBC News |access-date=21 August 2022 |date=2 December 2004}}{{cite web |title=Edinburgh Western Corridor Busway (Fastlink) |url=http://www.alanhowesworld.com/brt-bhls/fastlink/ |website=Alan Howes Associates |access-date=21 August 2022 |archive-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730175628/http://www.alanhowesworld.com/brt-bhls/fastlink/ |url-status=dead }}

Rubber-tyred trams and translohr

==Rubber-tyred trams==

Guided buses are to be distinguished from rubber-tyred systems that cannot run other than along a dedicated trackway, or under fixed overhead power lines.

Tram-like guided busway (rubber-tyred tram) systems include:

The first one is replaced with conventional trams and the other is being used as a trolleybus without the guide system.

==Translohr==

Clermont-Ferrand, France
Île-de-France tramway Line 5,
Île-de-France tramway Line 6 in Paris, France.
Shanghai, China
Tianjin, China
Medellín, Colombia
Padua, Italy
Venice-Mestre, Italy

Also called "trams on rubber tyres".

==Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit==

Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) is equipped with various optical and other types of sensors to allow the vehicle to automatically follow a route defined by a virtual track of markings on the roadway. A steering wheel also allows the driver to manually guide the vehicle, including around detours.

Just like guided busway, electric buses use batteries to power their electric motors, and ebus combine elements of guided trolleybuses introduce new IMC (In Motion Charging) technology, and wireless charging technology from embedded coils in roadways to automated depot charging pads as for "opportunity charging" electric buses while they are on the road, typically at bus stops or terminals, rather than solely at the depot, electric road system, is a road that provides electric power to vehicles as they travel on it, guided bi-articulated bus system for urban passenger transport.{{cite web |last=Staff |first=Editorial |url=https://www.sustainable-bus.com/electric-bus/bologna-tender-trolleybuses-electric-buses/|title=35 trolleybuses and 19 e-buses: new tender in Bologna (with option for further 35 trolleys)|date=9 January 2025 |website=Sustainable Bus |access-date=2025-05-31}}{{cite web |last=Staff |first=Editorial |url=https://www.sustainable-bus.com/infrastructure/kiepe-charging-overhead-lines-kcharger/|title=KIEPE has a solution to charge e-buses with power supply from overhead public transport lines|date=12 May 2025 |website=Sustainable Bus |access-date=2025-05-31}}{{cite web |last=Staff |first=Editorial |url=https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/electreon-wireless-charging-interview-charlie-levin/|title=Electreon: wireless charging on its way from demo to commercial deployments. Interview with Head of Global Strategy Charlie Levine|date=30 May 2025 |website=Sustainable Bus |access-date=2025-05-31}}

Zhuzhou ART, China
Yibin ART, China
Lingang DRT, China

Guidance systems

=Optical guidance=

Image:Guidage optique Agora L.JPG]]

File:Rouen bus T2 I.jpg, an optically guided TEOR bus in Rouen]]

Optical guidance relies on the principles of image processing. A camera in the front of the vehicle scans the bands of paint on the ground representing the reference path. The signals obtained by the camera are sent to an onboard computer, which combines them with dynamic parameters of the vehicle (speed, yaw rate, wheel angle). The calculator transmits commands to the guidance motor located on the steering column of the vehicle to control its path in line with that of the reference.

Optical guidance is a means of approaching light rail performance with a fast and economical set-up. It enables buses to have precision-docking capabilities as efficient as those of light rail and reduces dwell times, making it possible to drive the vehicle to a precise point on a platform according to an accurate and reliable trajectory. The distance between the door steps and the platform is optimized not to exceed {{convert|5|cm|in|0}}. Level boarding is then possible, and there is no need to use a mobile ramp for people with mobility impairments.

=Guided trolleybus=

File:TRAMribalta.jpg, Spain]]

The Optiguide system, an optical guidance device developed by Siemens Transportation Systems, has been in revenue service since 2001 in Rouen and Nîmes (only at stations), France, and has been fitted to trolleybuses in Castellon (Spain) since June 2008 and will be in service on buses in the cities of Bologna (Italy).{{cite web |last=Hidalgo|first=Darío

|url=https://thecityfix.com/blog/smooth-operator-guided-trolleybuses-debut-in-bologna-italy/|title=Smooth Operator: Guided Trolleybuses Debut in Bologna, Italy|website=The Fix City |access-date=2 September 2009}}

=Autonomous rail rapid transit=

File:Yibin ART System 10 12 11 905000.jpeg, China]]

Another system was introduced in 2017. Called Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART) and developed by CRRC, it uses optical systems to follow markers on a roadway. The ART system is frequently referred to as a "trackless tram" and occasionally as an "optically-guided bus".{{cite web |title=Debunking the myths around the optically-guided bus (trackless trams) |url=https://www.sydney.edu.au/business/news-and-events/news/2019/01/21/debunking-the-myths-around-optically-guided-bus--trackless-trams.html |publisher=The University of Sydney Business School |access-date=19 July 2021}}

=Magnetic guidance=

Other experimental systems have non-mechanical guidance, such as sensors or magnets buried in the roadway.{{cite web|author=Simon Smiler |url=http://citytransport.info/OBahn.htm |title=New Era Hi-tech Buses |publisher=citytransport.info |access-date=21 May 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://www.path.berkeley.edu/PATH/Research/magnets/ |title=University of Berkley PATH Magnetic Guidance System – used on Snowploughs with trials including Transit Bus running and docking |publisher=Path.berkeley.edu |access-date=21 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613140438/http://www.path.berkeley.edu/PATH/Research/magnets/ |archive-date=13 June 2010 |url-status=dead }} In 2004, Stagecoach Group signed a deal with Siemens to develop an optical guidance system for use in the United Kingdom.{{cite news | url = http://www.stagecoachgroup.com/scg/media/press/pr2004/2004-12-08a/ | publisher = Stagecoach Group | title = Stagecoach signs deal with Siemens to develop new bus optical guidance system | date = 8 December 2004 | access-date = 28 July 2006 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061110102329/http://www.stagecoachgroup.com/scg/media/press/pr2004/2004-12-08a/ | archive-date = 10 November 2006 | url-status = dead }}

File:Phileas-bus-Eindhoven.jpg

Two bus lines in Eindhoven, Netherlands, had used Phileas vehicles. Line 401 from Eindhoven station to Eindhoven Airport is {{convert|9|km|mi|abbr=on}} long, consists largely of concrete bus lanes and has about 30 raised stop platforms. Line 402 from Eindhoven station to Veldhoven branches off from line 401 and adds another {{convert|6|km|mi|abbr=on}} of bus lanes and about 13 stops.{{Cite web |url=http://apts-phileas.com/ |title=APTS Phileas |access-date=19 October 2009 |archive-date=11 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211133413/http://www.apts-phileas.com/ |url-status=dead }} Years before the last trip of a Phileas bus in 2016, the regional authority for urban transport in the Eindhoven region (SRE) decided to discontinue the use of magnetic guidance system. In 2014 the manufacturer, APTS, was declared bankrupt.

The Douai region in France is developing a public transport network using APTS Phileas technology and dedicated infrastructure. The length of the lines will be {{convert|34|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The first stage is a line of {{convert|12|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Douai via Guesnain to Lewarde, passing close to Waziers, Sin-le-Noble, Dechy and Lambres-lez-Douai. 39 stop platforms will be provided with an average distance between the stops of {{convert|400|m|yd|abbr=on}}. A number of stops will be placed on the right-hand side of each lane. Central stops between both lanes will be placed at locations with limited space at the right side. This requires vehicle to have doors on both sides. The buses using Phileas technology were in use from 2008 to 2014.

File:Sejong BRT Government Complex North Station.jpg) and Barota (BRT System)(Ko) in Sejong City, South Korea]]

On 3 November 2005, a licence and technology transfer agreement was signed between Advanced Public Transport Systems (APTS) and the Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI). KRRI was to develop the Korean version of Phileas vehicle by May 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.bimodaltram.com/eng/ |title=Bimodal Transportation Research Center(Korea) |publisher=Bimodaltram.com |access-date=21 May 2010 |archive-date=22 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722103629/http://www.bimodaltram.com/eng/ |url-status=dead }}

Since June 2013, 3 miles (1.5 miles each way) of the Emerald Express (EmX) BRT in Eugene, Oregon, has used magnetic guidance in revenue service on an especially curvy section of the route that also entails small radius S-curves required for docking. The driver controls braking and acceleration.{{cite web|title=The Design and Implementation of an Automated Bus In Revenue Service on a Bus Rapid Transit Line|author=Han-Shue Tan and Jihua Huang|date=4 June 2014|url=http://vecan.tongji.edu.cn/Conference/ACC2014/media/files/1246.pdf}}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

=Kerb guidance=

File:BusAt-CoolingLane-KerbGuidedBusStop-Leigh-P1400511.jpg]]

File: Guided Bus - Essen.png , Germany]]

On kerb-guided buses (KGB) small guide wheels attached to the bus engage vertical kerbs on either side of the guideway. These guide wheels push the steering mechanism of the bus, keeping it centralised on the track. Away from the guideway, the bus is steered in the normal way. The start of the guideway is funnelled from a wide track to guideway width. This system permits high-speed operation on a narrow guideway and precise positioning at boarding platforms, facilitating access for the elderly and disabled. As guide wheels can be inexpensively attached to, and removed from, almost any standard model of bus, kerb guided busway systems are not tied to particular specialised vehicles or equipment suppliers. Characteristically, operators contracted to run services on kerb-guided busways will purchase or lease the vehicles, as second-hand vehicles (with guide wheels removed) have a ready resale market.

The kerb-guided system maintains a narrow track while still enabling buses to pass one another at speed. Consequently, kerb-guided track can be fitted into former double-track rail alignments without the requirement for additional land-take that might have been necessary were a disused railway to be converted into a public highway. Examples include the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway and Leigh-Salford-Manchester Bus Rapid Transit; in both schemes, it has proved possible to provide space for a wide multi-user path for leisure use alongside the kerb-guided double track, all within the boundaries of the disused railway route. Both the Cambridgeshire and Leigh-Salford-Manchester schemes have reported greatly increased levels of patronage (both on the buses themselves and the adjacent paths), high levels of modal transfer of travellers from private car use, and high levels of passenger satisfaction.{{citation | url=http://abstracts.aetransport.org/paper/index/id/21/confid/1 | title=Cambridgeshire Guided Busway – Usage Research | author=Alan Brett | publisher=Cambridgeshire County Council | date=2013 | access-date=16 May 2017 | archive-date=23 February 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223051633/http://abstracts.aetransport.org/paper/index/id/21/confid/1 | url-status=dead }}{{citation|url=http://www.brtuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/BRT-UK-presentation-Sept-16.pdf|title=Presentation to BRT UK|publisher=Transport for Greater Manchester | date=16 September 2016 | access-date=27 March 2017}}

System guided busways

{{See also|List of guided busways and BRT systems in the United Kingdom}} {{Main|List of bus rapid transit systems}}

Systems with conventional/modified buses:

class="wikitable sortable"

!Country

!City

!System name

!Started

!Routes

!Number of stations

!Length

!Notes

| Adelaide

| O-Bahn Busway

| 9 March 1986

| -

| 3

| {{convert|12|km|mi}}