Two busy underground bus terminals were designed into a restricted space with reverse-out platform bays and partitions separating passenger and traffic areas in Kamppi, Finland. This concept for bus terminal layout required an advanced system of sensors and displays for drivers and travellers. The exact locations and settings of the ultrasonic sensors are crucial forreliable bus detection. Since the length and height of the buses varies by model, finding the best settings for each individual installation spot took several rounds of readjustments. The "smart terminal" solution has proven successful for safety, passenger comfort and efficient bus operations.The demanding environmental conditions in the underground bus terminals make continuous maintenance of the technical installations necessary. The bus timetables and driver schedules must be planned taking into consideration the restrictions of the terminal concept. Parking in the terminal for breaks is forbidden. Timetables in the regional terminal are staggered so that no more than three buses will depart at the same minute. In the coach terminal this has not been observed, and at worst 19 buses depart at 17.00causing an instant traffic jam in the terminal, exit tunnel and first twointersections. Due to safety hazards, LNG and LPG buses are excluded fromusing the terminals. At the moment they are still rare in Finland, but this will likely become a problem unless LNG fuel tanks with suitable safetyfeatures for indoor use are developed. Certain innovative solutions that were planned during the project have not yet been implemented. A most interesting idea is automatic detection and prevention of gridlock situations in the regional bus terminal, which is vulnerable to congestion delays if too many buses are trying to enter or drive around the terminal while others are reversing out of bays. For the covering abstract see ITRD E134653.
Samenvatting