Análisis del uso correcto de los carriles exclusivos del transporte público urbano en el Centro Histórico de Cuenca y sus repercusiones económicas

Abstract

This paper investigates the implementation of exclusive lanes as an operational enhancement for public transportation, particularly in areas with high private vehicle demand. The establishment of these lanes facilitates the unobstructed movement of buses, thereby reducing delays and enhancing citizen productivity. However, misuse by private vehicles, utilization as loading or unloading zones, and taxi services undermines the lanes’ primary purpose of providing exclusive access for public transportation. This measure seeks to prioritize the conveyance of the maximum number of individuals over other private transportation modes. The study focuses on the exclusive lanes in the Historic Center of Cuenca, Ecuador. Through a travel time survey, delays averaging 2 to 3 minutes in these lanes were identified, compared to the ideal scenario as outlined by the “Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual” and modeled using the SUMO program. Additionally, the economic losses resulting from these delays were calculated bases on the salary levels of public transportation users and the estimated average demand, revealing and annual economic impact of approximately $4’500,000. Finally, the paper proposes solutions and measures to optimize the utilization of the exclusive lanes, ensuring they fulfill their intended purpose effectively.