Bus door systems have complex mechanisms and electronic components that require regular maintenance. Any malfunctions or breakdowns can impact operational efficiency and passenger safety. Crowding on a transit vehicle increases operating time and leads to an increase in marginal passenger boarding and alighting times at the stops. As shown in Figure 4, these times increase nonlinearly with the level of crowding.
Demand For Buses
The demand for buses is increasing globally as countries around the world continue to urbanize and develop their transportation networks. Buses provide affordable and environmentally friendly options for mass transit.
This study investigates how crowding affects the internal flow of passengers inside a bus and the effect of certain design factors. It focuses on one-door buses, which operate with a single conductor and have front boarding and back alighting doors. It finds that crowded buses have significantly higher marginal dwell times and that operators are more likely to allow riders to board between stops. The study analyzes data on entries and exits from 5 bus routes. It measures door crowding at the top level and adjusts it for the gross number of people standing at a bus’s doors.
Advancements In Automation And Sensor Technologies
Autonomous vehicles help reduce traffic congestion and fuel consumption by allowing them to speed up and slow down as necessary. This can greatly enhance efficiency and reduce maintenance needs. Automatic door systems allow passengers to board buses easily. These systems help prevent untimely door closures, which can result in injuries. They also keep the bus clean and control the loss of air conditioning.
Companies like Yokogawa are pushing the boundaries of sensor technology with smart force sensors that support agile decision-making and drive performance optimization. They can provide powerful solutions for industrial automation, including advanced controls and machine learning. The next wave of industrial automation focuses on optimizing processes with intelligent sensing and AI, driving major returns.
Regulations
Many countries’ regulations and safety standards require the use of Busdoor to ensure passenger safety. This has driven growth in the global market for automatic door systems as transit agencies seek to meet these requirements. The stepwell on buses shall be provided with safety treads that are slip-resistant. It also must be equipped with a light.
Other rules for bus operations include no loud talking or unnecessary confusion, no playing musical instruments on the bus, no smoking, and no obstructing the aisles. In addition, passengers must report any damage to the vehicle immediately to the driver. A readily accessible emergency opening device, located in the passenger entrance/exit area and designed to operate the doors regardless of other controls, must be identified and posted on or adjacent to the bus.
Maintenance And Reliability
Automatic bus doors have complex mechanisms and electronic components that require regular maintenance to function properly. Bus operators need skilled technicians to troubleshoot problems and repair broken systems.
In addition to regularly maintaining the systems, it is essential to implement a preventative maintenance strategy that minimizes downtime and unscheduled repairs. This approach can be achieved through a combination of predictive analysis and opportunistic maintenance policies. For example, cleaning the inside and outside of buses on a routine basis can help keep dirt from accumulating in sensors and switches, which can cause them to malfunction. Taking such proactive measures can significantly reduce the costs associated with mechanical failures.
Growth Of Connected Infrastructure
The growth of connected infrastructure is fuelling the demand for smart bus door systems. This technology enables a bus to reduce traffic congestion and increase fuel efficiency by controlling its speed. It also allows passengers to monitor and control the vehicle’s location. As vaccination rates rise and restrictions are lifted, bus ridership is expected to recover. This will drive the demand for bus doors, especially in Europe and North America.
In September 2017, Baidu, a Chinese technology company, launched a $1.52 billion autonomous-driving initiative, called Apollo Fund. This project is projected to invest in 100 autonomous driving projects by 2021. Additionally, global spending on smart city initiatives is expected to surpass $100 billion.
Recovery In Bus Ridership
The COVID-19 pandemic led to travel restrictions, lockdowns, and social distancing measures, reducing overall passenger traffic. This reduced demand directly affected the automatic bus door system market as transit agencies postponed or canceled procurement plans. However, ridership in large metro areas has recovered more than 70% as of September 2022. The recovery in ridership is likely due to people returning to work and school, and the fact that bus systems offer a more flexible mode of transportation for those who cannot take trains or subways because of their limited walksheds. This is especially true for low-income communities and populations of color who rely on bus services.
Conclusion
Various government regulations and safety standards are driving the demand for bus doors. However, maintenance and reliability issues can impact market growth.
