REGIONAL TRANSIT SYSTEM

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Bus Rapid Transit What it is and Whats
Happening in the U.S. Jennifer Flynn Victoria
Perk National Bus Rapid Transit Institute
(NBRTI) Center for Urban Transportation Research
(CUTR) University of South Florida,
Tampa Transpo2008 September 24, 2008 Orlando,
Florida
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Who We Are

• In January 2001, the National BRT Institute
  (NBRTI) was created at USFs Center for Urban
  Transportation Research with the charge of
  creating a national program for training,
  technical assistance, research, innovation, and
  evaluation of existing and proposed BRT projects.

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NBRTI Mission Facilitate the sharing of
knowledge and innovation for increasing the
speed, efficiency and reliability of high
capacity bus service through the implementation
of bus rapid transit systems in the United
States. The National BRT Institute will employ a
series of resources including workshops,
conferences, publications, research, and
knowledgeable staff to achieve the goals of the
program.
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NBRTI Core Program Areas

• Clearinghouse
• Technical assistance and support
• Research
• Demonstration

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Websitewww.nbrti.org
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What is a BRT system?
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Elements of BRT an Integrated System
RUNNING WAYS
Integration of Elements
STATIONS
AND LAND USE
VEHICLES
SERVICE AND OPERATIONS PLAN
FARE COLLECTION
ITS
MARKETING ANDBRANDING
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Arterial Bus Lanes
London Quality Bus Corridor
Boston Silver Line
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Bus/Transitway on Freeway ROW
Median Houston Transitways
Shoulder Brisbane SE Busway
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Running Ways
Arterial Median Busway Rouen, France TEOR
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Range of BRT Vehicle OptionsConventional Buses
Van Hool 300AG Zuidtangent Amsterdam York Rapid
Transit Toronto
New Flyer 60LF Vancouver 98, 99B Ottawa
Transitways
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Specialized BRT Vehicles
ATS Phileus Eindhoven, Netherlands
Irisbus CIVIS Las Vegas MAX
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Well-Lit, Open, Quiet Interior
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Passenger Information
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OffBoard Fare Collection Options
Proof-of Payment TVM York, Ontario Rapid
Transit
Smart Card Fare Gates TransMilenio, Bogota
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Similar Operating Characteristics
Source SpeedLink- A Rapid Transit Option for
Greater Detroit. June 2001.
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Bus Rapid Transit in the U.S.
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BRT Systems

• United States
• Alameda, CA
• Albany, NY
• Boston, MA
• Charlotte, NC
• Cleveland, OH
• Chicago, IL
• Dulles Corridor, VA
• Eugene, OR
• Hartford, CT
• World

• Honolulu, HI
• Louisville, KY
• Miami, FL
• Montgomery County, MD
• San Juan, PR
• Pittsburgh, PA
• Santa Clara County, CA
• Los Angeles, CA
• Las Vegas, NV

...and more

• Curitiba, Brazil
• Brisbane, Australia
• Adelaide, Australia
• Ottawa, Canada
• Leeds, England
• and more

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BRT in the United States A Range of Complexity

• Beginning to catch on
• Debate between BRT and LRT
• BRT Lite
• Rail-like BRT
• Trade-offs
• Permanence vs. flexibility vs. affordability

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Pittsburgh Busways

• 1977- South Busway
• 4.3 miles
• Oldest busway in U.S.
• Shares dual-use tunnel w/subway
• 1983- East Busway
• 6.8 miles
• Built on active railroad ROW
• 2000- West Busway
• Built on abandoned railroad ROW
• Link to other busways allows crosstown travel
  w/out transfer
• 2003- East Busway Extension
• Incorporates bike trail and park

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Busway Service Elements

• At-grade and grade-separated transitways
• Express and local routes
• Designated stations and basic stops and shelters
• Park-and-Ride lots
• On-board fare payment
• Clean diesel and hybrid electric

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Kansas City MAX System

• Service began July 2005
• 6-mile route along Main St. corridor
• 21 stops
• 7 days/wk
• 430 a.m. to midnight
• 9-min. headways during peak 15-min off-peak
• Cost 21 million

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System Elements

• Exclusive lanes
• Along certain segments
• At certain times of day
• Stations w/enhanced amenities
• Signal priority 31 intersections
• Real-time signs all stations
• Strong branding

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Vehicles

• 40-foot, low floor
• Voice enunciator
• Increased aisle width
• Smooth, continuous windows
• Low-floor for easy boarding
• Unique MAX paint scheme
• Wider doors windows
• GPS, MDT, TSP

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Stations

• Opaque design
• Cooler in summer
• Warmer in winter
• Enhanced lighting
• 18-ft iconic marker
• Real-time info
• Connecting info

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Miami-Dade Busway

• Began operating in 1997
• 19.7 miles of exclusive at-grade busway in
  southern Miami-Dade County
• 2-lane, 2-direction
• Park-and-Ride lots along corridor
• Built along abandoned rail ROW
• Bike path along entire length

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Busway Service Elements

• Bus and emergency vehicles only
• Access to busway at major intersections
• Express and local routes
• Conventional, articulated, and minibuses
• On-board fare payment
• 22 sheltered stations
• Maps, schedules, brochures
• Newspapers
• Benches
• Public phones

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Orlando Lymmo System

• 3-mi. loop circulator in downtown
• Service began in 1997
• Fare-free service
• Exclusive bus lanes
• Cost 21 million

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System Elements

• Exclusive Lanes
• Median, same-side, and contraflow
• Barrier-separated
• Identified with distinct pavers
• 5-min headway during office hours
• 13 stations, 8 stops
• Low-floor, CNG vehicles
• ITS technology
• Signal pre-emption
• Unique branding
• Large sheltered stations
• Detailed route information
• Special bus-only signals at intersections
• Next bus arrival info at kiosks

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Los Angeles Orange Line

• Metro Orange Line
• Began operation Fall 2005
• 35 at-grade intersections
• 14-mile corridor connects Warner Center and North
  Hollywood
• 5 miles median
• 9 miles former railroad ROW
• Cost 350 million

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System Elements

• Dedicated arterials and grade-separated busways
• High-capacity vehicles
• 13 stations approx. 1 mile apart
• Off-board fare payment
• 6 min peak headway 12 off-peak
• Real-time passenger info
• Branded as part of rail network

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Los Angeles Metro Rapid

• Began operation in 2000
• Lower cost BRT lite
• Currently 19 corridors
• 27 corridors covering 450 miles when complete

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System Elements

• Mixed-flow arterials
• Frequent, headway-based service
• Signal priority
• Simple route layout
• Wider stop spacing
• Enhanced stations
• Level boarding
• Real-time passenger info
• Distinct branding and identity

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Boston Silver Line

• Began operation July 2002
• Phase I Washington Street
• Phase II South Waterfront
• Phase III 1-mile tunnel will connect phases I
  and II
• 7.1 miles total when complete
• Estimated total cost 1.6 billion

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Silver Line System Elements

• Bus-only lanes and mixed arterial
• Modern vehicle w/increased capacity
• Improved frequency and reliability
• Attractive stations with amenities
• Conditional signal priority
• Real-time passenger information

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San Pablo Rapid

• Began operating June 2003
• Replacement of local 72L
• 14-mile corridor from Contra Costa College to
  downtown Oakland
• Travels through 7 cities, 2 counties
• Operates in mixed traffic
• Runs 6 am to 7 pm on headway based schedule of 12
  minutes
• Estimated cost 14 million
• 
  
  

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System Elements

• Mixed-flow arterials
• Signal priority
• Queue jump lanes
• Modern vehicle
• Basic and enhanced stops
• Unique branding
• 
  
  

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System Performance

• End-to-end travel time reduced by 12 minutes
• 21 percent from local service
• 17 percent from limited service
• Travel time savings attributed to far-side stops,
  fewer stops, TSP
• Over 80 percent of users thought Rapid is faster
  than previous service
• 50 percent responses indicate at least a
  15-minute difference
• 
  
  

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Las Vegas MAX

• 7-mile corridor connects downtown Las Vegas with
  Nellis Air Force Base
• Began operation in 2004
• 5-mile dedicated bus lane
• Cost 20.3 million

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System Elements

• Dedicated transit-only lanes
• Attractive rail-like vehicle
• Precision docking
• 22 uniquely designed stations with level boarding
• Off-board fare collection
• Signal priority
• Distinctive branding

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Eugene EmX Green Line

• Began operation January 2007
• 4 miles in length
• Replacement of local route 11
• Total capital cost about 24 million
• Service is currently fare-free
• Backbone of future EmX lines
• Links downtown Eugene to downtown Springfield
• High traffic, pop density, and transit ridership
  along the corridor

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System Elements

• 60 of service operates in exclusive busways
• Wider stop spacing
• 8 stations at major intersections
• Enhanced accessibility
• Near-level boarding
• TSP, queue jumping
• Special bus signals at busy intersections
• Green identity

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EmX Busway Features

• Concrete construction
• Grass in center of lanes
• Helps absorb noise
• Helps absorb fluid leaks
• Native landscaping

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Enhanced Accessibility

• Near-level boarding
• Ramps and railings
• Audible crossing signals
• Warning pavers

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EmX Vehicles

• 63-ft articulated
• Modern, sleek silhouette
• Hybrid-electric propulsion
• Multiple door entry on both sides
• Space for 2 wheelchairs
• Space for 3 bikes on-board
• Unique paint scheme and identity

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Stations

• Located in median
• Design concept masted sails
• Public art component
• Open design for maximum visibility
• Complementary to landscape
• Enhanced lighting
• Backlit schedule info

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Cleveland Euclid Avenue BRT -- Healthline

• Will connect downtown Cleveland to University
  Circle
• 9 miles total when complete
• Total reconstruction of Euclid Ave.
• Service slated for October 2008
• Estimated cost 168 million
• 
  
  

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System Features

• 4.37 miles of exclusive center median busways
• 62 stops reduced to 36 stations
• Near level boarding
• Mechanical docking arm
• Priority signaling
• Off-board fare collection
• Real-time passenger info
• 
  
  

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Euclid Corridor Improvements

• Landscaped sidewalks
• Median street lighting
• Crosswalks
• Bike lanes
• Public art
• Interactive kiosks
• Comfortable shelters