Bus Rapid Transit: Synthesis of Case Studies

2003 ◽  
Vol 1841 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herbert S. Levinson ◽  
Samuel Zimmerman ◽  
Jennifer Clinger ◽  
James Gast
Keyword(s):  
Intelligent Transportation Systems ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Land Development ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
Bus Rapid Transit ◽  
Rapid Transit ◽  
Transit Systems ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Federal Initiatives

Bus rapid transit systems have grown in popularity in recent years. Spurred by federal initiatives, the spiraling cost of rail transit, and market realities, a growing number of cities have installed or are planning bus rapid transit (BRT). There is a synthesis of current experience, drawing on ongoing research conducted in a project for TCRP. The nature of BRT is described; where it operates; key features, such as running ways, stations, vehicles, intelligent transportation systems, and service patterns; performance in ridership, travel times, and land development; and the emerging implications for new systems. It is important to match transit markets to rights-of-way; achieve benefits in speed, reliability, and identity; minimize adverse impacts to street traffic, property access, and pedestrians; and obtain community support throughout an open planning process.

scholarly journals A Planning Method for Partially Grid-Connected Bus Rapid Transit Systems Operating with In-Motion Charging Batteries

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 2550
Author(s):  
Andrés E. Díez ◽  
Mauricio Restrepo
Keyword(s):  
Planning Method ◽  
Bus Rapid Transit ◽  
Rapid Transit ◽  
Infrastructure Planning ◽  
Transit Systems ◽  
Power Train ◽  
Medium Voltage ◽  
Grid Connection ◽  
Electric Bus ◽  
Decision Variables

This paper presents an electrical infrastructure planning method for transit systems that operate with partially grid-connected vehicles incorporating on-board batteries. First, the state-of-the-art of electric transit systems that combine grid-connected and battery-based operation is briefly described. Second, the benefits of combining a grid connection and battery supply in Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems are introduced. Finally, the planning method is explained and tested in a BRT route in Medellin, Colombia, using computational simulations in combination with real operational data from electric buses that are currently operating in this transit line. Unlike other methods and approaches for Battery Electric Bus (BEB) infrastructure planning, the proposed technique is system-focused, rather than solely limited to the vehicles. The objective of the technique, from the vehicle’s side, is to assist the planner in the correct sizing of batteries and power train capacity, whereas from the system side the goal is to locate and size the route sections to be electrified. These decision variables are calculated with the objective of minimizing the installed battery and achieve minimum Medium Voltage (MV) network requirements, while meeting all technical and reliability conditions. The method proved to be useful to find a minimum feasible cost solution for partially electrifying a BRT line with In-motion Charging (IMC) technology.

Assessing the Existing Bursa Light Rail Transportation System

2020 ◽  
Vol 2674 (10) ◽  
pp. 250-260
Author(s):  
Mehmet Rizelioğlu ◽  
Turan Arslan
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Congestion ◽  
Transportation System ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
Bus Rapid Transit ◽  
Light Rail ◽  
Rail Transportation ◽  
Transit System ◽  
Transit Systems ◽  
Negative Impacts

As car ownership soars, traffic congestion and its associated negative impacts have become real concerns in many cities around the world. Therefore, transportation systems that perform better in eliminating or reducing traffic congestion and related problems to tolerable levels have become imperative. Alternative transit systems should be assessed properly to accommodate the expected demand in the long term, at least, to some significant extent. However, this is generally neglected in developing countries and, among many possible alternatives, a popular transportation system is usually preferred within the available budget. As an example, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, Turkey, has recently implemented a light rail transportation system (LRT) on its major east–west corridor as the main transit system. In this study, the existing LRT is assessed and its performance is compared with a hypothetical bus rapid transit (BRT) system, which is a strong contender and comparatively a lower-cost alternative. This is done to assess whether the LRT was the better choice in relation to the current demand. Therefore, in this study, the existing LRT system is first defined in the PTV VISSIM simulation environment. Then, the hypothetical BRT system is considered on the same route with the current demand. The capability and capacities of the existing LRT and the BRT system are assessed and compared in many aspects. The results are compared, and important findings are outlined.

Incorporating Intelligent Transportation Systems into Major Investment Studies: Conceptual Issues and Challenges

1998 ◽  
Vol 1651 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Gregory Hatcher ◽  
James A. Bunch ◽  
Donald L. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Intelligent Transportation Systems ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Intelligent Transportation ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
Problem Definition ◽  
Corridor Planning ◽  
Surface Transportation ◽  
Key Steps ◽  
Measures Of Effectiveness

The issues associated with incorporating intelligent transportation systems (ITS) strategies into alternatives analysis planning studies such as major investment studies (MIS), which have emerged since the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act was passed in 1991, are discussed. The challenges and implications of including ITS in three of the key steps of the MIS process—problem definition, alternative definition, and analysis—are examined. As context for the specific issues addressed, a case study is presented on incorporating ITS into a corridor planning process that is being conducted using Seattle data. Critical to incorporating ITS elements within an MIS process is developing a problem statement, goals and objectives, and measures of effectiveness that are sensitive to ITS and other operational improvements for the corridor or subarea under study. Traditional MIS processes have focused on facility/service improvements and on average conditions and demand. ITS strategies, on the other hand, aim at improving ( a) operations; ( b) response to nonrecurrent conditions; and ( c) providing better information. To be able to address ITS strategies, the analysis approach used in an MIS should be sensitive to these issues. An illustration of how ITS strategies are being incorporated and evaluated in the Seattle (MIS-like) case study concludes the discussion.

scholarly journals A multiobjective bilevel approach based on global-best harmony search for defining optimal routes and frequencies for bus rapid transit systems

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 ◽  
pp. 567-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar Ruano-Daza ◽  
Carlos Cobos ◽  
Jose Torres-Jimenez ◽  
Martha Mendoza ◽  
Alexander Paz
Keyword(s):  
Harmony Search ◽  
Bus Rapid Transit ◽  
Rapid Transit ◽  
Transit Systems

Framework for Deployment Planning of Bus Rapid Transit Systems

2005 ◽  
Vol 1903 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19
Author(s):  
Yafeng Yin ◽  
Mark A. Miller ◽  
Avishai (Avi) Ceder
Keyword(s):  
Intelligent Transportation System ◽  
General Structure ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Bus Rapid Transit ◽  
Rapid Transit ◽  
Transit Systems ◽  
Fully Integrated ◽  
Optimal Deployment ◽  
Transit Agencies ◽  
Deployment Planning

Bus rapid transit (BRT) systems combine vehicles, stations, running ways, and intelligent transportation system elements into a fully integrated system with a unique identity. It has great flexibility in incremental deployment of these BRT elements. Proposed is a deployment planning framework that provides, in a sequence of steps, a general structure for optimal deployment of BRT systems. This framework and its formulation, once operationalized, would provide transit agencies a practical tool for determining the optimal deployment strategy or strategies given budgetary, institutional, and other types of constraints associated with the corridor for which they have decided to deploy BRT. A case study example is provided to illustrate how the proposed framework would be used.

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