Bus Rapid Transit:Bus Rapid Transit: A Sustainable Approach A Sustainable Approach

to Mass Transit to Mass Transit

Bhavik ShahBhavik Shah11/25/0211/25/02

GoalsGoals

What is Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)? What is Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)? Elements of BRTElements of BRT Curitiba, Brazil: The Success StoryCuritiba, Brazil: The Success Story Applicability to the United StatesApplicability to the United States ConclusionsConclusions

What is BRT?What is BRT? Bus Rapid Transit uses a variety of innovative Bus Rapid Transit uses a variety of innovative

system designs and technologies to speed travel system designs and technologies to speed travel time, cut costs and make service more reliable.time, cut costs and make service more reliable.

““Think rail, use buses.”Think rail, use buses.” These objectives are reached byThese objectives are reached by:

Lane priorityLane priority Signal prioritySignal priority Vehicle designVehicle design Stop spacing and designStop spacing and design Fare collectionFare collection Rider appealRider appeal Land use policyLand use policy

Lane PriorityLane Priority Giving buses priority to Giving buses priority to

lanes (HOV) speeds travel lanes (HOV) speeds travel time.time.

Three types of priority Three types of priority lanes: curbside, median, lanes: curbside, median, and contraflow.and contraflow.

Curbside bus lanes are Curbside bus lanes are usually effective during usually effective during peak hours in peak peak hours in peak directions; otherwise the directions; otherwise the lane is reserved for parking lane is reserved for parking and deliveries. Since bus and deliveries. Since bus stops are in this lane, buses stops are in this lane, buses do not waste time do not waste time remerging with traffic. remerging with traffic. Double curbside bus lanes Double curbside bus lanes allow them to pass one allow them to pass one another (e.g. Madison Ave in another (e.g. Madison Ave in NYC).NYC).

This San Francisco bus lane is the lane adjacent to the curb lane and is in effect weekdays 7 am to 6 pm. Curbside deliveries and parking are still possible, except at stops.

Median LanesMedian Lanes Bus lanes are located in the middle Bus lanes are located in the middle

two lanes of traffic, usu. separated two lanes of traffic, usu. separated from general traffic lanes by a from general traffic lanes by a raised curb. raised curb.

Only appropriate for wide Only appropriate for wide boulevards. boulevards.

Passenger platforms on right. Passenger platforms on right. There can be one central platform, There can be one central platform, but buses then must have doors on but buses then must have doors on both sides. both sides.

Less likely to be congested than Less likely to be congested than curbside bus lanes.curbside bus lanes.

Disadvantages are: 1) making left Disadvantages are: 1) making left turns, and 2) passengers must turns, and 2) passengers must cross lanes of traffic to reach cross lanes of traffic to reach platforms creating a safety platforms creating a safety concern, esp. passengers anxious concern, esp. passengers anxious to catch an approaching bus.to catch an approaching bus.

Contraflow LanesContraflow Lanes A contraflow lane is a A contraflow lane is a

bus lane that runs in bus lane that runs in the opposite direction the opposite direction in what would in what would otherwise be a one-way otherwise be a one-way street.street.

These contraflow lanes These contraflow lanes can be used during can be used during peak times of the day peak times of the day to avoid traffic to avoid traffic congestion or can be congestion or can be permanent.permanent.

They have a physical They have a physical divide to only allow divide to only allow authorized vehicles authorized vehicles through.through.

BRT system in Orlando, FL.

Traffic Signal PriorityTraffic Signal Priority Special treatment to transit vehicles at Special treatment to transit vehicles at

signalized intersections.signalized intersections. Passive priority: timing signal lights with Passive priority: timing signal lights with

respect to avg. bus speed rather than respect to avg. bus speed rather than avg. vehicle speed.avg. vehicle speed.

Active priority: uses chips on the bus and Active priority: uses chips on the bus and light to calculate the speed of bus and light to calculate the speed of bus and time of approach, and depending on time of approach, and depending on traffic situation at the time, to either give traffic situation at the time, to either give an early green signal or hold one that is an early green signal or hold one that is being displayed.being displayed.

Queue jumpers: short stretch of bus lane Queue jumpers: short stretch of bus lane combined with traffic signal priority to cut combined with traffic signal priority to cut queues of traffic and receive a green queues of traffic and receive a green signal.signal.

Active Priority Light in Orlando, FL.

Vehicle DesignVehicle Design Low level boarding: faster boarding time for all Low level boarding: faster boarding time for all

passengers, namely those in wheelchairs, which means passengers, namely those in wheelchairs, which means shorter dwelling time at the bus stop.shorter dwelling time at the bus stop.

Adding additional and wider doorways facilitates the Adding additional and wider doorways facilitates the rapid entry and exit of passengers (32 in. allows for easy rapid entry and exit of passengers (32 in. allows for easy access for those in mobility aids).access for those in mobility aids).

Additional and wider doorways must be integrated with Additional and wider doorways must be integrated with the structural support systems to maintain crash the structural support systems to maintain crash worthiness.worthiness.

Buses can be bi-/articulated with two or three sections Buses can be bi-/articulated with two or three sections capable of transporting 170-270 passengers. (Think of capable of transporting 170-270 passengers. (Think of the long A, H, and EE buses).the long A, H, and EE buses).

Vehicle DesignVehicle Design

Propulsion: Propulsion: cleaner diesel fuel due to stricter EPA cleaner diesel fuel due to stricter EPA

standardsstandards compressed natural gas (CNG) hybrid electric-compressed natural gas (CNG) hybrid electric-

diesel buses have emerged as viable diesel buses have emerged as viable alternatively fueled vehicles alternatively fueled vehicles

Low noise and emission pollution—to Low noise and emission pollution—to make the buses “sexy.” make the buses “sexy.”

Stop Spacing and LocationStop Spacing and Location Stop spacing affects demand for transit service.Stop spacing affects demand for transit service. Tradeoff between: (a) closely spaced, frequent stops and Tradeoff between: (a) closely spaced, frequent stops and

shorter walking distance, but more time on the vehicle and shorter walking distance, but more time on the vehicle and (b) stops spaced further apart and longer walking distance, (b) stops spaced further apart and longer walking distance, but less time on the vehicle.but less time on the vehicle.

Stop locating can be near side, far side, or mid-block.Stop locating can be near side, far side, or mid-block. BRT systems with active signal priority and queue jumpers BRT systems with active signal priority and queue jumpers

should place stops at the far side, allowing for effective use should place stops at the far side, allowing for effective use of these measures. It also clears the bus through the of these measures. It also clears the bus through the intersection with minimal delay.intersection with minimal delay.

If the stop was on the near side, queue jumpers would be If the stop was on the near side, queue jumpers would be not be used, and the bus would have to merge with queue not be used, and the bus would have to merge with queue traffic on the curbside lane for the stop. Consequently, the traffic on the curbside lane for the stop. Consequently, the bus would be delayed by at least one signal cycle. bus would be delayed by at least one signal cycle.

Stop LocationStop Location

If bus stops are bays (think of bus stop across from If bus stops are bays (think of bus stop across from ARC), there is a delay to remerge with traffic. ARC), there is a delay to remerge with traffic.

Bays are not efficient for BRT systems.Bays are not efficient for BRT systems. If necessary, located on far side of intersections If necessary, located on far side of intersections

with tapered deceleration and acceleration lanes.with tapered deceleration and acceleration lanes. Priority Merge Rule: all vehicles to yield the right of Priority Merge Rule: all vehicles to yield the right of

way, when safe to do so, to buses signaling to way, when safe to do so, to buses signaling to reenter the traffic stream a stop. reenter the traffic stream a stop.

Rule is common in Europe, Australia, Japan, Oregon, Rule is common in Europe, Australia, Japan, Oregon, Washington, and Florida.Washington, and Florida.

PMR is BRT-friendly as it reduces waiting times at PMR is BRT-friendly as it reduces waiting times at subsequent stops and decreases travel times for subsequent stops and decreases travel times for passengers.passengers.

Fare CollectionFare Collection On-board collection increases dwelling time thus On-board collection increases dwelling time thus

decreasing the efficiency of a BRT system.decreasing the efficiency of a BRT system. Monthly passes, smart cards, pre-paid tickets. Monthly passes, smart cards, pre-paid tickets.

Incentives for pre-payment is a sharp discounts for Incentives for pre-payment is a sharp discounts for multi-trip cards/tickets.multi-trip cards/tickets.

Pay as you board worst during peak hours.Pay as you board worst during peak hours. Pay on exit: speeds up boarding at central sites Pay on exit: speeds up boarding at central sites

during peak hours, and decreases dwell time as during peak hours, and decreases dwell time as smaller groups exit the bus at the stops.smaller groups exit the bus at the stops.

Free fare zone, loading platforms (staffed), “paid area” Free fare zone, loading platforms (staffed), “paid area” terminals (barrier free for transfers), and proof of terminals (barrier free for transfers), and proof of paymentpayment Loading platform in

Curitiba, Brazil.

Rider AppealRider Appeal Providing proper information to Providing proper information to

the customer is crucial for high the customer is crucial for high quality transit information. (aka quality transit information. (aka being user friendly)being user friendly)

Therefore, to increase the appeal Therefore, to increase the appeal of a BRT system, and of a BRT system, and consequently, ridership, each stop consequently, ridership, each stop should have:should have: A stop name. A stop name. Route names and destinations Route names and destinations

for all routes serving the stop. for all routes serving the stop. Span of service and frequency Span of service and frequency

of service. of service. Service schedule for low-Service schedule for low-

frequency routes. frequency routes. A system map A system map Orlando BRT Service Map

Rider AppealRider Appeal Onboard schematic maps and automated Onboard schematic maps and automated

announcements can assist passengers announcements can assist passengers when/where to board and exit.when/where to board and exit.

Use of real time information of arrival times to be Use of real time information of arrival times to be displayed at bus stops, kiosks, etc. displayed at bus stops, kiosks, etc.

Technology is Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) Technology is Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) and is powered by GPS. and is powered by GPS.

Reduces anxiety of waiting.Reduces anxiety of waiting. Market BRT system as being an preferable mode Market BRT system as being an preferable mode

of transportation: color schemes and logos to of transportation: color schemes and logos to identify the BRT system (and distinguish it from identify the BRT system (and distinguish it from the regular bus system), stops and stations need the regular bus system), stops and stations need appealing architectural and aesthetic designs to appealing architectural and aesthetic designs to attract riders, market faster travel times, new attract riders, market faster travel times, new technologies (signals and AVL), and offer technologies (signals and AVL), and offer coupons. coupons.

Land Use PolicyLand Use Policy Modifying land use Modifying land use

policies to permit growth policies to permit growth that is concentrated that is concentrated around transit nodes and around transit nodes and corridors will help to corridors will help to maintain and increase maintain and increase transit's base of riders in transit's base of riders in the future. the future.

Location of stations Location of stations already near developed already near developed sites, e.g. shopping sites, e.g. shopping malls, is ideal for malls, is ideal for optimizing land use with optimizing land use with mass transit. mass transit.

Orlando's Lynx system has created Superstops at major shopping malls. Buses stop at loading areas close to the mall entrance. Amenities include shelters, system information, bike racks, and a guide to mall stores.

BRT in UseBRT in Use

Several cities across the world are Several cities across the world are using a BRT system.using a BRT system.

These include: Bogotá, Quito, Rouen, These include: Bogotá, Quito, Rouen, London, Sydney, Istanbul, and Taipei.London, Sydney, Istanbul, and Taipei.

By far, however, the greatest success By far, however, the greatest success story in BRT comes from Curitiba, story in BRT comes from Curitiba, Brazil. Brazil.

Curitiba, BrazilCuritiba, Brazil

During 1950s and 60s, cities across Brazil During 1950s and 60s, cities across Brazil experienced rapid population growth due to experienced rapid population growth due to agricultural mechanization. Curitiba had one agricultural mechanization. Curitiba had one of the highest population growths, 6% a yr.of the highest population growths, 6% a yr.

demanded effective city planning in areas demanded effective city planning in areas ranging from social services, housing and ranging from social services, housing and sanitation, to the environment and sanitation, to the environment and transportation transportation

By the 1960s, officials were working on a By the 1960s, officials were working on a Master Plan (1966) to meet these demands, Master Plan (1966) to meet these demands, which included a consolidated bus transit which included a consolidated bus transit systemsystem

Transportation and Transportation and DevelopmentDevelopment

restructured the city’s radial configuration into a restructured the city’s radial configuration into a linear model of urban expansion linear model of urban expansion

transportation land use and road systems can be transportation land use and road systems can be used as integrative tools of development; used as integrative tools of development; backbone for development and growth of the citybackbone for development and growth of the city

direct linear growth by attracting residential and direct linear growth by attracting residential and commercial density along a mass transportation commercial density along a mass transportation lane lane

The Research and Urban Planning Institute of The Research and Urban Planning Institute of Curitiba (IPPUC) was created to monitor the Curitiba (IPPUC) was created to monitor the implementation and operations of the BRT.implementation and operations of the BRT.

The BRT, with its 2,000 buses, serves eight The BRT, with its 2,000 buses, serves eight neighboring cities, 2 million passengers, and an neighboring cities, 2 million passengers, and an approval rating of 90%.approval rating of 90%.

New InfrastructureNew Infrastructure

Transportation SystemTransportation System

Road hierarchy (spider web network)Road hierarchy (spider web network) 5 main arterial roads, structural growth corridors 5 main arterial roads, structural growth corridors

that dictate the growth pattern of the city, had that dictate the growth pattern of the city, had two median express bus lanes two median express bus lanes

By 1982, all 5 arteries, inter-district, and feeder By 1982, all 5 arteries, inter-district, and feeder lines were complete.lines were complete.

Types of routes: feeder, interdistrict, and express Types of routes: feeder, interdistrict, and express Express buses travel as fast as subway cars, but Express buses travel as fast as subway cars, but

at one eighth the construction costsat one eighth the construction costs As buildings moved away from corridor avenues, As buildings moved away from corridor avenues,

the density of the building capacity decreased. the density of the building capacity decreased. (urban apt. buildings to residential homes)(urban apt. buildings to residential homes)

A Fare SystemA Fare System

Paper transfers: forgeryPaper transfers: forgery Two-fare system for feeder and express: failed Two-fare system for feeder and express: failed

because it favored the rich living near the middlebecause it favored the rich living near the middle One fare policy: can take you from anywhere One fare policy: can take you from anywhere

within the system (40+ miles worth of travel)within the system (40+ miles worth of travel) Shorter rides subsidize longer ones.Shorter rides subsidize longer ones. Installed automatic ticket vendors at stops and Installed automatic ticket vendors at stops and

terminals to decrease dwell time.terminals to decrease dwell time. The system is entirely financed by these fares The system is entirely financed by these fares

and without any subsidies. A 1990 laws dictates and without any subsidies. A 1990 laws dictates that revenues can only be used to pay for the that revenues can only be used to pay for the system. This avoids fare inflation.system. This avoids fare inflation.

Bus and Station DesignBus and Station Design

Buses:Buses: Three doors: 2 exiting, 1 boardingThree doors: 2 exiting, 1 boarding Turbo enginesTurbo engines Wider doorsWider doors Lower floorsLower floors Bi/Articulated for greater passenger capacity (170-270)Bi/Articulated for greater passenger capacity (170-270)

Boarding tube stations along direct and express Boarding tube stations along direct and express lines.lines.

Staffed (to deter fare evaders). Staffed (to deter fare evaders). Three functions: shelter, pre-boarding payment Three functions: shelter, pre-boarding payment

and level boarding and level boarding Speeds boarding time, especially with the Speeds boarding time, especially with the

disabled, therefore less idling and less pollutiondisabled, therefore less idling and less pollution

Bus TubeBus Tube

Some NumbersSome Numbers 340 routes340 routes 2,000 buses transport 2 million passengers daily2,000 buses transport 2 million passengers daily 700 miles of bus routes; 40 miles dedicated to bus 700 miles of bus routes; 40 miles dedicated to bus

use onlyuse only 25 terminals, 200+ bus tubes25 terminals, 200+ bus tubes 30 routes and buses designed for specific use by 30 routes and buses designed for specific use by

the disabledthe disabled 50-second deadhead (period between buses) at 50-second deadhead (period between buses) at

peak times, and 2 to 3 minutes at other times at peak times, and 2 to 3 minutes at other times at the central station the central station

first city in Brazil to use less polluting fuels; 89.4% first city in Brazil to use less polluting fuels; 89.4% diesel, 8% anhydrous alcohol, and 2.6% soybean diesel, 8% anhydrous alcohol, and 2.6% soybean additiveadditive

The resulting fuel is less polluting and cuts the The resulting fuel is less polluting and cuts the emissions of particles to the air by up to 43 per emissions of particles to the air by up to 43 per cent.cent.

More NumbersMore Numbers

Cost of implementing the bus system in Cost of implementing the bus system in Curitiba was $2.0 million (U.S.) per mile.Curitiba was $2.0 million (U.S.) per mile.

10 percent of yearly income on transport.10 percent of yearly income on transport. As a result, despite the second highest As a result, despite the second highest

per capita car ownership rate in Brazil per capita car ownership rate in Brazil (one car for every three people), (one car for every three people), Curitiba's gasoline use per capita is 30 Curitiba's gasoline use per capita is 30 percent below that of eight comparable percent below that of eight comparable Brazilian cities.Brazilian cities.

BRT and BeyondBRT and Beyond

Curitiba’s public policy has been eco-Curitiba’s public policy has been eco-socio-friendly. Innovative with socio-friendly. Innovative with approach to public life.approach to public life.

In addition to BRT, pedestrian In addition to BRT, pedestrian walkways, bike paths, parks, walkways, bike paths, parks, recycling programs, etc. all recycling programs, etc. all encourage a greener, healthier city encourage a greener, healthier city and lifestyle. and lifestyle.

BRT in the United StatesBRT in the United States

BRT systems are in place in several American BRT systems are in place in several American cities including:cities including: BostonBoston CharlotteCharlotte ClevelandCleveland Dulles, VADulles, VA Eugene-Springfield, OREugene-Springfield, OR HartfordHartford LALA MiamiMiami Phoenix (planning)Phoenix (planning) San FranciscoSan Francisco

Orlando at a GlanceOrlando at a Glance Opened Aug 1997Opened Aug 1997 BRT improved an already existing transit system serving OrlandoBRT improved an already existing transit system serving Orlando target market is people who drive to downtown Orlando and then target market is people who drive to downtown Orlando and then

use Lymmo to get to other locations, such as the Courthouse, use Lymmo to get to other locations, such as the Courthouse, restaurants, shopping, etc restaurants, shopping, etc

Service offers:Service offers: exclusive lanes for the entire 2.3 mile routeexclusive lanes for the entire 2.3 mile route signal pre-emptionsignal pre-emption stations with large shelters and route informationstations with large shelters and route information automatic vehicle location (AVL)automatic vehicle location (AVL) next bus arrival information at kiosksnext bus arrival information at kiosks new low-floor compressed natural gas (CNG) busesnew low-floor compressed natural gas (CNG) buses marketing and image development through vehicle graphics, marketing and image development through vehicle graphics,

stations, advertisements, and business tie-insstations, advertisements, and business tie-ins free fare, so no fare collection delayfree fare, so no fare collection delay

Fierce marketing to attract riders: theme buses, coupon-of-the-Fierce marketing to attract riders: theme buses, coupon-of-the-day, etc.day, etc.

Lymmo SystemLymmo System

Lymmo Right-of-Way and Station at Turn-Around Area

Lymmo Bus Painted in Leonardo DaVinci Theme

PerformancePerformance

Table 1 Route Statistics for Lymmo and Rest of System

                                                                                                                        

CostsCosts

$1.2 million to operate, 65% more than the $1.2 million to operate, 65% more than the Freebee service of 1997.Freebee service of 1997.

Because of the even greater increase in Because of the even greater increase in ridership, the average cost per boarding ridership, the average cost per boarding decreased from $1.37 for Freebee to $1.14 decreased from $1.37 for Freebee to $1.14 for Lymmo. for Lymmo.

total capital cost of the system was $21 total capital cost of the system was $21 million, of which $3 million was for vehicles, million, of which $3 million was for vehicles, $0.4 million for landscaping, and the $0.4 million for landscaping, and the remainder for street reconstruction, remainder for street reconstruction, shelters, information kiosks, AVL, traffic shelters, information kiosks, AVL, traffic signals, banners, and other expenses signals, banners, and other expenses

Criticisms to BRTCriticisms to BRT

Curitiba, for example, has far lower labor costs, far Curitiba, for example, has far lower labor costs, far fewer environmental controls, and much less fewer environmental controls, and much less stringent bureaucratic review of transportation stringent bureaucratic review of transportation projects.projects.

politicians want solutions that fit their election politicians want solutions that fit their election cycles; score big with voters by extending past cycles; score big with voters by extending past into future (road projects)into future (road projects)

America’s car cultureAmerica’s car culture Price on gasoline is cheap, discouraging public Price on gasoline is cheap, discouraging public

transportation as is. (oh yes, this is where Prof. transportation as is. (oh yes, this is where Prof. Sunil talks about his famous (or infamous) gas tax) Sunil talks about his famous (or infamous) gas tax)

ConclusionsConclusions

BRT provides a sustainable, efficient BRT provides a sustainable, efficient method of mass transit. method of mass transit.

Can be used in conjunction with land use Can be used in conjunction with land use and developmental policies to curtail and developmental policies to curtail sprawl and guide growth.sprawl and guide growth.

Appeal to riders is key for any mass transit Appeal to riders is key for any mass transit system to work—must be attractive and system to work—must be attractive and user friendlyuser friendly

Gas tax or DIE! lolGas tax or DIE! lol

The EndThe End