Information is available from bus rapid transit (BRT) projects on the costs and effectiveness of implementing various BRT components and their effectiveness. Obtaining and evaluating this information can help transit systems determine whether these selected BRT components are sufficiently cost-effective for application. Impacts of BRT components include, but are not limited to, the effects on the implementing transit systems, the community, and the political structure. This research reviews the BRT demonstration projects underway or planned in the United States, similar projects throughout the world, and bus systems that employ various components described below. Major BRT components addressed in this Practitioner’s Guide include the following: (1) use of exclusive right-of-way, including busways, exclusive lanes, and bypass/queue jumping lanes for buses at congested intersections to reduce vehicle running time; (2) use of more limited-stop service including express service and skip-stopping; (3) application of intelligent transportation technology such as signal priority, automatic vehicle location systems, system security, and customer information; (4) use of advanced technology vehicles (e.g., articulated buses, modern propulsion systems, more accessible vehicles, and low-floor buses) and new specially designed vehicles with doors on each side; (5) design of stations; (6) use of off-board, fare-payment smart cards or proof-of-payment systems; (7) “branding” the system; (8) use of vehicle guidance systems (mechanical, electronic, or optical); and (9) other strategies that enhance customer satisfaction. To assist in the development of the Practitioner’s Guide, the research team reviewed pertinent literature, including TCRP Report 90, Volume 1: Case Studies in Bus Rapid Transit and Volume 2: Implementation Guidelines, relevant to the costs, impacts, and related effectiveness of implementing selected BRT components. Also, the research team surveyed selected transit agencies that had implemented or have planned BRT systems to obtain information on costs, impacts, and effectiveness of the selected BRT components. Information collected included ridership, capital and operating costs, community acceptance, associated land-use development, funding support, support for system expansion, improved mobility, quality of service, travel time, comfort, dwell time, reliability, convenience, safety, security, improved frequency, and wait time. This information was used as input to the Practitioner’s Guide. The Guide covers a wide range of BRT development scenarios in assessing different component packages. The Guide also provides guidelines for BRT ridership estimation and overall insights on land development impacts associated with BRT development. (Author/publisher)
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