The mobility area of the Council of Tenerife will take place during the month of August, and with the Santa Cruz Transport Interchange as the stage, pilot tests of different types and brands of beacons to be used in the lane for buses and other high-occupancy vehicles, the so-called VAO bus, designed for the TF-1, the Autopista de Sur, in the 20 kilometers that go from the Güímar Industrial Estate, at the height of Arafo, and the capital of Tenerife.
The Island Councilor for Mobility, Enrique Arriagaexplain what the test will allow testing different luminaires, checking their resistance and wear to implement the most effective ones in the new lane that is scheduled to come into operation before the end of the year.
In addition, Arriaga emphasizes that “Tenerife will go from having 3.2 kilometers of HOV bus lane, which it currently has, to almost 50 at the end of the legislature, taking a leap in quality in mobility in public transport.”
The counselor adds that “the implementation of this resource is an important incentive to promote public transport, by making it much faster, as well as promoting the shared use of private vehicles. It is a measure that would significantly reduce the number of vehicles entering large cities.
Next year
The island director of Mobility, José Alberto León, points out that the works to start up the HOV bus lane will begin in 2023. The Minister Arriaga emphasizes that these lanes will be a reality in Tenerife throughout the coming year. He hopes that in the first six months of 2023 work will begin on the section between Güímar and Santa Cruz of the TF-1.
Arriaga explains that to carry out the work of an HOV bus lane “the highway needs to have three lanes or more”. In any case, he makes it clear that with regard to the TF-1, he trusts that the work will be underway in the first semester and take about eight months to complete in the section between Güímar and Añaza. The last one until the departure by bus of the TF-1 for its entry into Santa Cruz will last a little longer since it will entail the extension of an additional lane on the highway.
«The road will go in the center, without physical barriers but with lights on the ground and indicative panels»
The counselor explains that this HOV bus lane, «I would go in the lane that is closer to the center and does not have a physical barrier, but some lights on the ground embedded in the line and a series of indicative panels”, in such a way that “during times of collapse the lane is activated, and the buses and high-occupancy vehicles will be able to circulate, and when not, it will be a more lane. Of course, he emphasizes that “it is not a simple work at the level of driver awareness”, and therefore, “a strong campaign should be carried out at that level among them and of course it carries out many tests”.
In addition to this southern lane, Arriaga explains that “work on the preferential lane for buses (1,850 meters) is already underway, at the height of Las Chumberas, in front of the Camino de la Hornera, to avoid the traffic jam that normally occurs at noon. and that the bus arrive quickly at the station». In this case, “the blades are already there and it is a relatively quick job”
a year from now, Tenerife aspires to have 50 kilometers of VAO bus in service accompanied by a system that will identify and support the correct use of this lane by authorized vehicles.
These new lanes will be activated through lights on the ground. When they turn red, it will mean that they are and it will incorporate signage panels. At times when its use is not necessary, because there is not much traffic, the lights go out and it will remain as one more lane of the highway. There is no need for asphalt work or tunnels or bridges, but a machine that draws a small trench to put the wiring and lights. Median panels are then placed without interfering with traffic.
A lane with privileges
These lanes with preference for buses and vehicles with more than one person work on all those roads that have three. In such a way that one is reserved for buses, motorcycles, electric vehicles and high occupancy cars –two or more people–. New technologies play a very important role in this type of infrastructure. For example, the identification cameras. In the absence of specifying what will start for the time being tested, they detect if two or more people are in the car. An incentive to share vehicles and reduce their number with the idea of gaining fluidity and eliminating traffic jams. The fine for those who do not meet this requirement when the lane is active can reach up to 200 euros.
