College Green Bus Lane

az2wp0sye65487

I can't find details of the operating hours for this online.

I have an idea it's 7am - 10am and then again from 4pm - 7pm..... but I don't know for sure.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks!

HeidiHeidi

Yes, those are the times - I tried to find an official link but also failed - bizarre!

ollaetta

You've got the hours right. From the Transport for Dublin website: College Green Bus Corridor

oisindoyle

Yes its 7-10am and 4-7pm .
The info is clearly shown on the informantion signs leading into the area,,,,just LOOK and you will find !

az2wp0sye65487

oisindoyle wrote: »

Yes its 7-10am and 4-7pm .
The info is clearly shown on the informantion signs leading into the area,,,,just LOOK and you will find !

I know it's on the signs - but I didn't want to head that way only to have to re-route at the last minute.

howiya

Whats the deal with enforcement of this? Is it regularly enforced? Could pay off the national debt with the amount of cars I see driving through it on a daily basis.

Obviously I only see it for a minute or two so perhaps there is enforcement at other times

Victor

howiya wrote: »

Is it regularly enforced?

Often, but not constant.

howiya

Wonder would cameras work here? Similar to the toll on the M50

Cool Mo D

Victor wrote: »

Often, but not constant.

There might be a garda car there about once a month or so, as far as I can see.

monument

howiya wrote: »

Wonder would cameras work here? Similar to the toll on the M50

Yes, there's also on-bus solutions:

http://www.jai.com/en/traffic/applications/buslaneenforcement

Traffic congestion causes unpredictably prolonged bus journey times, making the service unreliable and delayed.

In many cities, bus lanes have been installed to make bus travel faster and more reliable. However, due to inconsiderate drivers blocking bus lanes, the potential benefits of bus lanes are not fully realized.

The objective is to encourage passengers to travel by bus instead of driving their own car, by further optimizing the advantages of bus lanes.

In co-operation with Transport for London, JAI has developed a bus lane enforcement system using bus-mounted cameras that operate automatically. Today, 400 bus lane enforcement systems are installed in buses with daily operation in central London, helping to deliver a more reliable and reduced journey time.

The JAI cameras are built into the London buses and record twin images onto a video. One image is a close-up of the rear license plate of vehicles in the bus lane, while the other records the surrounding traffic conditions in the bus lane and the adjacent lane. The cameras thus identify both the offenders and possible mitigating circumstances that could be taken into consideration.

The bus-mounted cameras operate while the bus is in operation and covers the entire route. This is an advantage compared to fixed traffic cameras since, over time, road users recognize where these fixed enforcement spots are located along the route.

Furthermore, bus-mounted enforcement cameras have greater public acceptance than fixed spot cameras because it is evident that a car in the bus lane is delaying a busload of people. Fixed spot cameras on the other hand will capture pictures of offenders in the bus lane even if there is no bus in the lane at that particular moment.

The total bus lane enforcement project in London has proven very successful by providing:

Improvement in bus reliability
Reduction in journey time in a London-wide area scheme
JAI also provides technology for bus lane enforcement in terms of Digital CCTV enforcement systems (StreetWatch II), which is widely used in the UK.

StreetWatch is a system that can fully integrate with a city’s existing CCTV network, enabling it to not only operate as a video detection system for bus lane offences but also to provide surveillance of streets and roadways.

StreetWatch can also be integrated with JAI’s Ticket Express traffic enforcement software. The digital StreetWatch is approved under the provisional guidance to bus lane enforcement issued November 2005.

bk

I'm of the opinion that yes, College Green should have automatic cameras to catch people illegally using the bus gate.

I would also love to see Dublin Bus use the cameras on board buses to catch people illegally using the bus lane. Perhaps DB could get a cut of the fine to incentivise them to use these.

Finally I'm of the opinion that Taxi's should only be allowed to use the bus lane when they have a passenger on board.

Dodge

bk wrote: »

Finally I'm of the opinion that Taxi's should only be allowed to use the bus lane when they have a passenger on board.

I always thought this to be the case!?

AlekSmart

Dodge wrote: »

I always thought this to be the case!?

It was,but now the wording is "Taxi's,in the course of business".....suitably vague in that peculiarly Irish way !! :rolleyes:

ardmacha

Finally I'm of the opinion that Taxi's should only be allowed to use the bus lane when they have a passenger on board.

I would connect an "occupied" light to the meter. If the occupied light is lit, i.e. the meter is running, then they can use the bus lane. This would mean that they are generating taxable earnings while in the bus lane, not just giving their mates a lift.

bk

At the moment, is it the case that they can only use the bus lane when their in-service light isn't lit?

Because I often see Taxi's with their light lit still using the taxi lane.

I don't think you actually need to tie the light to the meter. If it is a case that lit on, you can't be in the bus lane, then the cameras on the buses could automatically ticket a taxi in the bus lane with it's lit on.

I know the taxi driver could turn their lit off and use the lane, but then they risk losing a fare that might stick their hand out as they pass. I know I only stick my hand out when I see the light on of an approaching taxi.

Yes, not a perfect solution, but better then what seems to happen with the current set-up which seems to be a free for all for taxis.

Victor

JAI wrote:

The bus-mounted cameras operate while the bus is in operation and covers the entire route. This is an advantage compared to fixed traffic cameras since, over time, road users recognize where these fixed enforcement spots are located along the route.

Furthermore, bus-mounted enforcement cameras have greater public acceptance than fixed spot cameras because it is evident that a car in the bus lane is delaying a busload of people. Fixed spot cameras on the other hand will capture pictures of offenders in the bus lane even if there is no bus in the lane at that particular moment.

While it would improve acceptance, it means a camera in every bus instead of cameras only where needed. A combination of fixed and mobile may be more useful.

bk wrote: »

DB could get a cut of the fine to incentivise them to use these.

Not really needed. The incentive for bus operators is that the bus lanes are kept clear.

Carawaystick

The Bus lanes at College green don't have the marking rm024 on the right edge of the right lanes, though.

bk

Victor wrote: »

While it would improve acceptance, it means a camera in every bus instead of cameras only where needed. A combination of fixed and mobile may be more useful.

Doesn't need to be on every bus. Just 10% of buses across all depots should be enough to heavily discourage people using the bus lanes.

Plus I would put fixed cameras at College Green, given it's importance and the level of abuse there.

AlekSmart

bk wrote: »

Doesn't need to be on every bus. Just 10% of buses across all depots should be enough to heavily discourage people using the bus lanes.

Plus I would put fixed cameras at College Green, given it's importance and the level of abuse there.

The current DB fleet is already equipped with a fully functioning Digital CCTV monitoring suite,including a forward facing camera.

What is at issue is not the gathering of the Video Evidence,but the current lack of ability to use it for RTA ENFORCEMENT measurers.

It appears that the current wording of the relevant sections of the RTA does not specifically allow for CCTV footage to be used in such a cost effective manner.

I understand there was a belief that the Westlink ANPR Toll Collection system was thought to have brought CCTV into the enforcement framework,but since it relates to the payment of a Toll under different legislation that has not been found true.

Essentially,until the Courts are prepared to accept remotely gathered CCTV evidence of infringement then it will remain down to the Garda Patrol ethos to detect and summons the guilty parties.....

22nd Century perhaps....?????

markpb

AlekSmart wrote: »

What is at issue is not the gathering of the Video Evidence,but the current lack of ability to use it for RTA ENFORCEMENT measurers.

I was banging this drum a few years ago and got some very conflicting answers:

Dublin Bus wrote:

Dublin Bus have no power to install and use front facing cameras on board buses to enforce bus lane compliance, As the relevant legislation is not in place.

Minister McDowell wrote:

There are no plans, at this time, to use the proposed safety camera system to enforce bus lane compliance. Driving a vehicle (other than a taxi in the course of business) in a bus lane during the period of operation is a fixed charge offence with effect from 3 April, 2006 strictly enforced by An Garda Síochána. Provision in legislation for the award of penalty points for offences such as bus lane non-compliance is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport.

QBN wrote:

There is no legislation available to use CCTV for bus lane enforcement. The Garda Siochána are in attendance in the Dublin City Council Traffic Control Centre and therefore have access to the CCTV system which allows them to deploy gardaí for bus lane enforcement as necessary.

Dept of Transport wrote:

The position in relation to this matter is that Section 21, as amended of the Road Traffic Act 2002 allows for the electronic detection of road traffic offences. Decisions in relation to the use of electronic equipment for the detection of Road Traffic Offences including the offences relating to bus lanes usage is a matter for Dublin City Council and the Gardaí.

All offences created by the Road Traffic Acts are classified as being criminal and in that context every person accused of the commission of any one of those offences must be taken before the District Court to answer the charge or accusation made by the Gardaí or a Local Authority Traffic Warden. The Road Traffic offence of entering a bus lane with a vehicle other than those permitted to do so, comes within the fixed charge system. That system offers each person accused of an offence the alternative of paying a fixed charge thereby avoiding the prospect of a court hearing. There are no plans to alter this position

monument

Dept of Transport can usually be trusted regarding road traffic law -- justice likely do not know it as well as them.

Dublin Bus are likely correct in that they cannot use the CCTV footage (already on all buses) to enforce the law -- but the they may be able to pass that on to the Gardai. But even if possible, is anybody arsed?

The QBN office have been busy with councils in making up signs and ignoring legislation on bus lanes and footpaths for years. Don't trust them when it comes to the law.

AlekSmart

monument wrote: »

Dept of Transport can usually be trusted regarding road traffic law -- justice likely do not know it as well as them.

Dublin Bus are likely correct in that they cannot use the CCTV footage (already on all buses) to enforce the law -- but the they may be able to pass that on to the Gardai. But even if possible, is anybody arsed?

The QBN office have been busy with councils in making up signs and ignoring legislation on bus lanes and footpaths for years. Don't trust them when it comes to the law.

I suspect what we both know,monument,is that all of the various elements are in place and have been for some-time now,BUT until somebody can be found to take responsibility for implementing it then it will float away along with the rest of the worthwhile initiatives....:rolleyes:

Victor

For video evidence to be accepted by a court, someone needs to swear that it is un-tampered with / accurate. Potentially it would mean the Garda putting a sealed unit onto the bus and reviewing the video later, with or without (electronic) prompts from the driver(s).