National Academies Press: OpenBook

Bus Rapid Transit Practitioner's Guide (2007)

Chapter: Front Matter

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Below is the uncorrected machine-read text of this chapter, intended to provide our own search engines and external engines with highly rich, chapter-representative searchable text of each book. Because it is UNCORRECTED material, please consider the following text as a useful but insufficient proxy for the authoritative book pages.

TRANSPORTAT ION RESEARCH BOARD WASHINGTON, D.C. 2007 www.TRB.org T R A N S I T C O O P E R A T I V E R E S E A R C H P R O G R A M TCRP REPORT 118 Research sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration in cooperation with the Transit Development Corporation Subject Areas Public Transit Bus Rapid Transit Practitioner’s Guide KITTELSON & ASSOCIATES, INC. Orlando, FL I N A S S O C I A T I O N W I T H HERBERT S. LEVINSON TRANSPORTATION CONSULTANTS New Haven, CT DMJM+HARRIS Fairfax, VA

TCRP REPORT 118 Project A-23A ISSN 1073-4872 ISBN: 978-0-309-09884-7 Library of Congress Control Number 2007927926 © 2007 Transportation Research Board COPYRIGHT PERMISSION Authors herein are responsible for the authenticity of their materials and for obtaining written permissions from publishers or persons who own the copyright to any previously published or copyrighted material used herein. Cooperative Research Programs (CRP) grants permission to reproduce material in this publication for classroom and not-for-profit purposes. Permission is given with the understanding that none of the material will be used to imply TRB, AASHTO, FAA, FHWA, FMCSA, FTA, or Transit Development Corporation endorsement of a particular product, method, or practice. It is expected that those reproducing the material in this document for educational and not-for-profit uses will give appropriate acknowledgment of the source of any reprinted or reproduced material. For other uses of the material, request permission from CRP. NOTICE The project that is the subject of this report was a part of the Transit Cooperative Research Program conducted by the Transportation Research Board with the approval of the Governing Board of the National Research Council. Such approval reflects the Governing Board’s judgment that the project concerned is appropriate with respect to both the purposes and resources of the National Research Council. The members of the technical advisory panel selected to monitor this project and to review this report were chosen for recognized scholarly competence and with due consideration for the balance of disciplines appropriate to the project. The opinions and conclusions expressed or implied are those of the research agency that performed the research, and while they have been accepted as appropriate by the technical panel, they are not necessarily those of the Transportation Research Board, the National Research Council, the Transit Development Corporation, or the Federal Transit Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Each report is reviewed and accepted for publication by the technical panel according to procedures established and monitored by the Transportation Research Board Executive Committee and the Governing Board of the National Research Council. The Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, the National Research Council, the Transit Development Corporation, and the Federal Transit Administration (sponsor of the Transit Cooperative Research Program) do not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade or manufacturers’ names appear herein solely because they are considered essential to the clarity and completeness of the project reporting. TRANSIT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM The nation’s growth and the need to meet mobility, environmental, and energy objectives place demands on public transit systems. Current systems, some of which are old and in need of upgrading, must expand service area, increase service frequency, and improve efficiency to serve these demands. Research is necessary to solve operating problems, to adapt appropriate new technologies from other industries, and to intro- duce innovations into the transit industry. The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) serves as one of the principal means by which the transit industry can develop innovative near-term solutions to meet demands placed on it. The need for TCRP was originally identified in TRB Special Report 213—Research for Public Transit: New Directions, published in 1987 and based on a study sponsored by the Urban Mass Transportation Administration—now the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). A report by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Transportation 2000, also recognized the need for local, problem- solving research. TCRP, modeled after the longstanding and success- ful National Cooperative Highway Research Program, undertakes research and other technical activities in response to the needs of tran- sit service providers. The scope of TCRP includes a variety of transit research fields including planning, service configuration, equipment, facilities, operations, human resources, maintenance, policy, and administrative practices. TCRP was established under FTA sponsorship in July 1992. Pro- posed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, TCRP was autho- rized as part of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA). On May 13, 1992, a memorandum agreement out- lining TCRP operating procedures was executed by the three cooper- ating organizations: FTA, the National Academies, acting through the Transportation Research Board (TRB); and the Transit Development Corporation, Inc. (TDC), a nonprofit educational and research orga- nization established by APTA. TDC is responsible for forming the independent governing board, designated as the TCRP Oversight and Project Selection (TOPS) Committee. Research problem statements for TCRP are solicited periodically but may be submitted to TRB by anyone at any time. It is the responsibility of the TOPS Committee to formulate the research program by identi- fying the highest priority projects. As part of the evaluation, the TOPS Committee defines funding levels and expected products. Once selected, each project is assigned to an expert panel, appointed by the Transportation Research Board. The panels prepare project state- ments (requests for proposals), select contractors, and provide techni- cal guidance and counsel throughout the life of the project. The process for developing research problem statements and selecting research agencies has been used by TRB in managing cooperative research pro- grams since 1962. As in other TRB activities, TCRP project panels serve voluntarily without compensation. Because research cannot have the desired impact if products fail to reach the intended audience, special emphasis is placed on dissemi- nating TCRP results to the intended end users of the research: tran- sit agencies, service providers, and suppliers. TRB provides a series of research reports, syntheses of transit practice, and other support- ing material developed by TCRP research. APTA will arrange for workshops, training aids, field visits, and other activities to ensure that results are implemented by urban and rural transit industry practitioners. The TCRP provides a forum where transit agencies can cooperatively address common operational problems. The TCRP results support and complement other ongoing transit research and training programs. Published reports of the TRANSIT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM are available from: Transportation Research Board Business Office 500 Fifth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 and can be ordered through the Internet at http://www.national-academies.org/trb/bookstore Printed in the United States of America

CRP STAFF FOR TCRP REPORT 118 Christopher W. Jenks, Director, Cooperative Research Programs Crawford F. Jencks, Deputy Director, Cooperative Research Programs Gwen Chisholm Smith, Senior Program Officer Eileen P. Delaney, Director of Publications Natalie Barnes, Editor TCRP PROJECT A-23A PANEL Field of Operations Jack M. Reilly, Transportation Management and Design, Latham, NY (Chair) Graham Carey, Lane Transit District, Eugene, OR RoseMary Covington, Sacramento Regional Transit District, Sacramento, CA John Dockendorf, Pennsylvania DOT, Harrisburg, PA David R. Fialkoff, Miami-Dade Transit Agency, Miami, FL Leon Goodman, Searingtown, NY Dennis P. Hinebaugh, University of South Florida Center for Urban Transportation Research, Tampa, FL Garet Johnson, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission, Charlotte, NC James R. Lightbody, San Jose, CA Michael H. Mulhern, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Retirement Fund, Boston, MA John M. Muth, Charlotte Area Transit System, Charlotte, NC Michael Sanders, Connecticut DOT, Newington, CT Stan Teply, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Martha Welborne, California Community Foundation, Los Angeles, CA Walter Kulyk, FTA Liaison Peter Shaw, TRB Liaison AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Bus Rapid Transit Practitioner’s Guide was developed under TCRP Project A-23A. The TCRP Proj- ect A-23A team consisted of Kittelson & Associates, Inc. (prime contractor), Herbert S. Levinson Trans- portation Consultants, and DMJM+Harris. Alan Danaher, P.E., PTOE, AICP, Kittelson & Associates, Inc., was the Principal Investigator. The Co- investigator was Herbert S. Levinson, P.E., Herbert S. Levinson Transportation Consultants. The other lead researcher was Samuel L. Zimmerman, DMJM+Harris. The Executive Summary was written by Herb Levinson and edited by Alan Danaher. Chapter 1, Introduction, was developed by Alan Danaher. Herb Levinson provided overall editing of the material. Chapter 2, Planning Framework, was developed with contributions from several project team mem- bers. Sam Zimmerman provided the basic framework for discussion, with added insights provided by Alan Danaher and Herb Levinson. Chapter 3, Estimating BRT Ridership, was developed with contributions from many project team mem- bers. The discussion on application of mode choice models was extracted from research conducted for TCRP A-23A by Sam Zimmerman, supported by Terri Morrell and Maureen Araujo of DMJM+Harris. C O O P E R A T I V E R E S E A R C H P R O G R A M S (continued on page x)

TCRP Report 118: Bus Rapid Transit Practitioner’s Guide provides information on the costs, impacts, and effectiveness of implementing selected bus rapid transit (BRT) com- ponents. It includes practical information that can be readily used by transit profession- als and policy makers in planning and decision making related to implementing different components of BRT systems. This report updates some of the information presented in TCRP Report 90: Bus Rapid Transit and presents the latest developments and research results related to the costs and impacts of implementing various BRT components and their effectiveness. Information is available from bus rapid transit (BRT) projects on the costs and effective- ness of implementing various BRT components and their effectiveness. Obtaining and eval- uating 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 com- munity, 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 con- gested 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 spe- cially 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 Tran- sit and Volume 2: Implementation Guidelines, relevant to the costs, impacts, and related effectiveness of implementing selected BRT components. Also, the research team sur- veyed 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 accep- tance, associated land-use development, funding support, support for system expansion, F O R E W O R D By Gwen Chisholm Smith Staff Officer Transportation Research Board

improved mobility, quality of service, travel time, comfort, dwell time, reliability, conve- nience, 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 sce- narios 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.

C O N T E N T S S-1 Summary 1-1 Chapter 1 Introduction 1-1 Overview 1-1 Nature of BRT 1-1 Definition 1-2 Components/Features 1-3 Questions Commonly Asked 1-3 How Well Does It Work? 1-3 Is It a Viable Rapid Transit Option? 1-4 What Are Its Costs and Benefits? 1-4 Which Components Are Essential? 1-4 How Can Community Support Be Achieved? 1-4 How Can BRT Be Integrated with the Existing Bus System? 1-4 What the Guide Covers 1-4 Chapter 2—Planning Framework 1-4 Chapter 3—Travel Demand Estimation 1-5 Chapter 4—Component Costs and Impacts 1-5 Chapter 5—System Packaging and Integration 1-5 Chapter 6—Land Development Guidelines 1-5 References 2-1 Chapter 2 Planning Framework 2-1 Introduction and Overview 2-1 Federal, State, and Local Context 2-3 Alternatives Analysis Steps 2-4 Establish Goals and Evaluate Problems and Needs 2-5 Identify Alternatives 2-7 Evaluate Alternatives 2-9 Select and Refine Mode and Alignment 2-11 System Planning Principles 2-12 References 3-1 Chapter 3 Estimating BRT Ridership 3-1 Introduction and Summary 3-2 Ridership Experience 3-3 Ridership Growth 3-3 Prior Modes 3-4 Rider Characteristics 3-5 Attitude and Preference Surveys 3-8 Research Findings 3-8 Conclusions from Aggregate Evidence 3-9 Ridership Estimation Overview

3-10 Application of Travel Demand Estimation Models 3-10 Key Steps 3-11 Mode Choice 3-14 Incremental Logit Model (Pivot-Point Procedure) 3-15 Application of Elasticity Factors 3-16 Elasticity Methods 3-17 Application 3-20 Estimating Additional Rapid Transit Ridership Impacts 3-22 Guidelines 3-24 Sketch Planning 3-24 Detailed Alternatives Analyses 3-25 References 4-1 Chapter 4 Component Features, Costs, and Impacts 4-1 Introduction 4-2 Running Way Components 4-8 Busways 4-16 Arterial Bus Lanes 4-24 Transit Signal Priority 4-37 Queue Jumps/Bypass Lanes 4-41 Curb Extensions 4-45 Station Components 4-60 Vehicle Components 4-61 Size of Vehicle 4-67 Modern Vehicle Styling 4-71 Low-Floor Boarding 4-75 Propulsion/Fuel Technologies 4-79 Automatic Vehicle Location 4-82 Driver Assist and Automation 4-85 Service and System Components 4-85 Service Plans 4-99 Fare Collection 4-102 Passenger Information 4-108 Enhanced Safety and Security Systems 4-112 Branding 4-117 References 5-1 Chapter 5 System Packaging, Integration, and Assessment 5-1 Introduction 5-1 Choosing the “Best” Package of Components 5-1 General Guidelines 5-2 Packaging and Staging Examples 5-5 Assessing System Performance 5-5 Analysis Parameters 5-9 Analysis Steps and Procedures 5-13 Example BRT Development Scenarios 5-13 Context and Assumptions 5-15 Scenario 1: Grade-Separated Busway Connecting CBD to Park-and-Ride Lot 5-18 Scenario 2: At-Grade Busway 5-21 Scenario 3: At-Grade Busway and Median Arterial Busway 5-25 Scenario 4: Bus Lanes and Transit Signal Priority

5-29 Scenario 5: Bus Lanes Only (No Transit Signal Priority) 5-33 Scenario 6: Transit Signal Priority Only 5-37 Summary and Comparison of BRT Development Scenarios 5-40 Assessment of BRT Development Scenarios 5-41 References 6-1 Chapter 6 Land Development Guidelines 6-1 Introduction 6-1 Experience and Research 6-1 Overview of Transit-Oriented Development 6-2 TOD Measures 6-2 Quantifying TOD Impacts 6-5 Achieving TOD with BRT 6-6 TOD Programs 6-7 Boston 6-8 Pittsburgh 6-10 Ottawa 6-12 Developer Perceptions 6-12 Methodology 6-13 Boston 6-15 Ottawa 6-17 Caveats 6-17 Guidelines 6-17 Coordinating BRT with Land Development 6-18 Stakeholder Perspectives 6-20 Evaluating TOD Programs 6-20 Resource Materials 6-21 References

AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (continued) The section on elasticity factors was developed by Herb Levinson. Alan Danaher, Herb Levinson, and Frank Spielberg, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., provided overall editing of the material. Chapter 4, Component Features, Costs, and Impacts, was developed with contributions from many proj- ect team members. The busways, arterial bus lanes, station components, and service plans profiles were developed by Herb Levinson. The signal priority, queue jumps/bypass lanes, curb extensions, and brand- ing profiles were developed by Alan Danaher. The nine vehicle components profiles, the fare collection profile, and the real-time passenger information profile were developed by Mario G. Candia-Martinez of Kittelson & Associates, Inc. Chapter 5, System Packaging, Integration, and Assessment, was developed by Herb Levinson with Alan Danaher and Kelly L. Blume, P.E., of Kittelson & Associates, Inc., editing the material. Chapter 6, Land Development Guidelines, was developed by Kelly Blume and Patrick J. McMahon, AICP, of Kittelson & Associates, Inc., and edited by Herb Levinson. Special thanks goes to Lisa L. Bobersky, Kittelson & Associates, Inc., for her work in the overall assem- bly of the document; Paul J. Ryus, P.E., Kittelson & Associates, Inc., for sharing his photographs of BRT system components; and Paige Cameron for her work in compiling bibliographic information. The project team thanks Ronald Fisher and Jim Ryan of the Federal Transit Administration for their input into the development of Chapter 3. The project team thanks the agencies and staff who provided data on their existing or planned BRT sys- tems. Their assistance and input were invaluable in helping to shape the Bus Rapid Transit Practitioner’s Guide. Agencies and staff included: • Adelaide Metro (Adelaide, Australia)—Tom Wilson • Connecticut Department of Transportation (Hartford, CT)—Mike Sanders • Regional Transportation District (Denver, CO)—Bill Hoople • Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (Cleveland, OH)—Mike Schipper and Danielle Willis • King County Metro (Seattle, WA)—Ron Atherley • Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Los Angeles, CA)—Susan Chapman and Rex Gephart • Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (Boston, MA)—Mike Mulhern and David Carney • Metro-Dade Transit Agency (Miami, FL)—David Fialkoff and Bob Pearsall • Ottawa-Carleton Regional Transit Commission (Ottawa, ON)—Colin Leach • Port Authority of Allegheny County (Pittsburgh, PA)—Richard Feder • Queensland Transport (Brisbane, Australia) • San Francisco Department of Parking and Traffic (San Francisco, CA)—Gerald Robbins • TransLink (Vancouver, BC)—Ian Fisher and Brian Mills The project team acknowledges LeAnn Waletzko, AICP, of DMJM+Harris for her assistance in collect- ing data about existing and planned BRT systems. The project team thanks the following parties for their valuable contributions to Chapter 6: • Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (Boston, MA)—Dennis DiZoglio, Mark Boyle, and John “Tad” Read • City of Ottawa (Ottawa, ON)—Helen Gault, Vivi Chi, and Sandra Candow • Peter J.V. Koonce, P.E., of Kittelson & Associates, Inc. • The developers who participated in the surveys in Boston and Ottawa • Center for Transit-Oriented Development—Mariia Zimmerman • Urban Land Institute All web site addresses provided in the Bus Rapid Transit Practitioner’s Guide were current at the time this report was produced but are subject to change.

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TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 118: Bus Rapid Transit Practitioner's Guide explores the costs, impacts, and effectiveness of implementing selected bus rapid transit (BRT) components. The report examines planning and decision making related to implementing different components of BRT systems, updates some of the information presented in TCRP Report 90: Bus Rapid Transit, and highlights the costs and impacts of implementing various BRT components and their effectiveness.

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