Over the next few years, the local authorities of the Greater Lyons conurbation have embarked on a plan to revolutionise public transport in France's second city as a means to reduce traffic congestion and pollution, and improve public transport provision. A key part of this plan is the tramway project. The tramway will run on public roads, but in order to give the maximum level of priority to trams, they will be segregated from general traffic and will receive priority at signalised junctions. This has involved the use of a traffic simulation software package which enables the impact of the tram on general traffic to be evaluated, taking particular account of other forms of pubic transport (ie buses). This paper describes the methodological approach used to plan tramway/highway intersections, with reference to the impact of the tram on the road infrastructure, bus services, road traffic congestion, and new route strategies for road traffic, cyclists and pedestrians. (A)
Abstract