Characteristics of Bus Rapid Transit for Decision-Making

Institute of Transportation Engineers. ITE Journal, Feb 2005

Characteristics of Bus Rapid Transit for Decision-Making. Federal Transit Administration, August 2004. 289 pages.

Characteristics of Bus Rapid Transit for Decision-Making gives transit operators, planners and local decision-makers guidance when considering bus rapid transit (BRT) as an option for local transportation needs. BRT is an enhanced bus system that operates on bus lanes or other transitways to combine the flexibility of buses with the efficiency of rail. By doing so, BRT operates at faster speeds, provides greater service reliability and increases customer convenience. It also utilizes a combination of advanced technologies and infrastructure and operational investments that provide significantly better service than traditional bus service.

The guide couples shared knowledge from transit professionals with real world data regarding BRT performance and its components. It describes the six elements that distinguish BRT from regular bus systems as well as the benefits of operating a BRT system, such as increased ridership, cost and incremental development. The guidance document also discusses BRT in the larger context of transit system planning, providing a reference tool when making investment decisions that best respond to local needs.

The Federal Transit Administration worked in conjunction with transit operators, manufacturers and suppliers to produce the guidance document. It serves as an invaluable resource discussing the six elements that make up the BRT system, performance measures, benefits and component parts. Characteristics of Bus Rapid Transit for Decision-Making can be accessed via the Federal Transit Administration's Web site at www.fta.dot.gov/ 2340_16085_ENG_HTML.htm.

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