May-June 2016: The Bus Rennaissance - Intercity Travel, Bus Rapid Transit, Technology Advances, Rural Services (2016)

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THE BUS RENAISSANCE 3 INTRODUCTION The Bus Renaissance: Innovations Drive a Boom Victoria A. Perk and Dennis P. Hinebaugh Research, technology, and innovative service strategies have contributed to maintaining the role of the bus as the workhorse of public transit and are increasing the importance of buses for local and longer-distance transportation. 4 The Decline and Revival of Intercity Bus Service Joseph P. Schwieterman A resurgence in intercity bus service is changing commercial competition for travelers, as new curbside operators are opening downtown-to-downtown routes of 125 to 350 miles. The author traces the industry’s turnaround, its extent, the types of services, issues for planners and researchers, and more. 11 The Intercity Bus Renaissance: One Company’s Experience David Hall The author presents the history and background of Greyhound’s introduction of new brands and services—particularly BoltBus—and describes the demographic changes that led to the company’s expansion of scope from rural and long-haul trips to urban center–to–urban center trips, including applications of technology platforms. 16 Bus Rapid Transit in the United States: Making Inroads Jennifer M. Flynn Swift and inexpensive implementation makes bus rapid transit (BRT) an attractive option for cities contending with traffic congestion and constrained budgets. The author reviews the key features of BRT, the mode’s origins, federal initiatives, and examples of U.S. successes, as well as challenges, such as collisions. 22 CTfastrak Bus Rapid Transit System: Connecting Central Connecticut Randal P. Davis 23 POINT OF VIEW Bus Rapid Transit Works: Countering the Myths Samuel L. Zimmerman and Herbert S. Levinson The authors identify and debunk myths that have persisted in arguments against the adoption of BRT and cite four decades of evidence that BRT deserves serious consideration as an attractive, high-capacity, and cost-effective rapid transit investment that can improve the quality of urban living. 28 Transformative Trends in Bus Data: A Bright Future Ahead Catherine T. Lawson Operational data and other information routinely collected by bus systems are being put to work to assist bus riders and system planners. The creation of the General Transit Feed Specifications is a key development, but efforts are needed to take full advantage of emerging open-source data and programming capabilities, the author maintains. 31 Kansas City Pilots Microtransit: Partnership with Bridj Delivers On-Demand Bus Service 32 Automation Advancing into Transit Bus Operations: Lane Assist, Crash Avoidance—and More Matthew Lesh 34 The Changing State of Rural Transit: Challenges, Trends, Benefits, and Innovations Jill Hough and Jeremy Mattson Transit agencies serving rural areas are challenged by low population densities, long travel distances, recruiting and training staff, and securing local funding. The authors describe the size and scope of rural transit, the demographic shifts, the benefits, and the technology and organizational innovations to address the challenges. TR NEWS NUMBER 303 MAY–JUNE 2016 4 34 16 COVER: The bus renaissance, affecting intercity travel, bus rapid transit, and urban and rural services, is tapping an array of technologies and new demographics. (Photo: Dolgachov/ Bigstock) TRN_303.e$S_TRN_303 7/1/16 11:46 AM Page 1

TR NEWS features articles on innovative and timely re - search and development activities in all modes of trans portation. Brief news items of interest to the transportation community are also included, along with profiles of transportation profes - sionals, meeting an nouncements, summaries of new publications, and news of Trans portation Re search Board activities. TR News is produced by the Transportation Research Board Publications Office Javy Awan, Editor and Publications Director Lea Camarda, Associate Editor Juanita Green, Production Manager Michelle Wandres, Graphic Designer TR News Editorial Board Frederick D. Hejl, Chairman Christine L. Gerencher Edward T. Harrigan Christopher J. Hedges Russell W. Houston Katherine Kortum Thomas R. Menzies, Jr. Transportation Research Board Neil Pedersen, Executive Director Mark R. Norman, Director of Program Development and Strategic Activities Russell W. Houston, Associate Executive Director Ann M. Brach, Director, Technical Activities Stephen R. Godwin, Director, Studies and Special Programs Gary J. Walker, Director, Administration and Finance Christopher W. Jenks, Director, Cooperative Research Programs TR News (ISSN 0738-6826) is issued bimonthly by the Transportation Research Board, 500 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. Internet address: www.TRB.org. Editorial Correspondence: By mail to the Publications Office, Transportation Research Board, 500 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, by telephone 202-334-2972, by fax 202-334-3495, or by e-mail jawan@nas.edu. Subscriptions: North America: 1 year $60; single issue $12. Overseas: 1 year $85; single issue $12 plus shipping. Inquiries or communications con- cerning new subscriptions, subscription problems, or single-copy sales should be addressed to the Business Office at the address below, or telephone 202-334-3216, fax 202-334-2519. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C. Postmaster: Send changes of address to TR News, Transportation Research Board, 500 Fifth Street, NW, Wash ington, DC 20001. Notice: The opinions expressed in articles appearing in TR News are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Transportation Research Board. The Trans por tation Research Board and TR News do not en dorse products or manufac- turers. Trade and manufacturers’ names appear in an article only because they are considered essential. Printed in the United States of America. Copyright © 2016 National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. For permissions, contact TRB. 38 NEW TRB SPECIAL REPORT Interregional Travel: A New Perspective for Policy Making Thomas R. Menzies, Jr. A new TRB policy study reviews the demand for interregional travel in the United States and the uncertainties that arise in supplying transportation services and infrastructure to accommodate the demand. The study committee finds a need for analytical tools and up-to-date data on long-distance travel patterns and recommends initiatives to fill gaps in decision-making capacity. A L S O I N T H I S I S S U E : C O M I N G N E X T I S S U E 43 Research Pays Off Assessing the Impacts of Real-Time Transit Information Kari Edison Watkins and Candace Brakewood 45 Calendar 46 Profiles Transit systems researcher and consultant Brendon Hemily; and Cheryl Allen Richter, infrastructure programs coordinator, Federal Highway Administration 48 TRB Highlights Cooperative Research Programs News, 48 49 News Briefs 50 Bookshelf Feature articles in the July–August TR News address key issues in aviation: the work- force of the future—the needs to be filled and the sources of personnel; addressing the challenges of civil aviation safety; airline consolidation, competition, and the evolu- tion of air service; optimizing cybersecurity for commercial aviation; the operation of unmanned aircraft in the National Airspace System; aviation’s evolving role in a changing climate; airports and transportation net- work companies; a state- of-the-union overview from the Federal Aviation Administration; and more. Main terminal interior, Washington Dulles International Airport, at dawn. 43 PH O TO : C H R IS TY G ER EN C H ER TRN_303.e$S_TRN_303 7/1/16 11:46 AM Page 2