Bus Rapid Transit
10 high-quality BRT features and the firms that provide them
Features
For feature descriptions and the associated value chain categories, click on any feature.
1
Stations
- Passengers board easily at platform level
- Station is safe and comfortable
- Space allows several buses to stop at once
- A separate passing lane enables buses to pass a stopped bus
- Station is set back from intersections
- Station is in center of roadway and serves both directions
- Station occupies former road or median space (not sidewalk space)
2
Branding
- All vehicles, routes and stations follow a single unifying brand that promises high-quality service
3
Passenger Communication
- Route maps are easy to find
- Passengers can get real-time information
4
Vehicles
- Doors are designed to allow many passengers to board or exit at once
- Vehicles are recognizable and clearly marked
- Vehicles meet strict emissions standards (such as Euro IV or V with particulate matter traps)
5
Information Technology (IT)
- Vehicle tracking, intelligent transportation systems
- Operation control system to reduce vehicle bunching
6
Integration and Access
- BRT service is integrated with other transportation modes
- Secure bicycle parking at stations
- System is accessible to all special-needs passengers
- Pedestrians have easy, safe access to stations
7
Fare Collection
- Passengers pay fare before boarding, so vehicles spend less time at stops
- Fare is integrated with other public transport options
8
Infrastructure
- Multiple routes use same BRT infrastructure
- Routes are located in top 10 demand corridors
- System is part of multi-corridor BRT network (existing or planned)
- BRT vehicles have their own separate right-of-way (enforced by traffic laws)
- At intersections, other vehicles may not turn across the busway
- Ideally, bus lanes are in center of the road, where conflicts with other traffic are minimized
- Approaching BRT vehicles can activate a green traffic light (called "signal priority")
- Bicycle lanes in corridor
9
Service Planning
- Service operates frequently in peak and off-peak
- Express, limited and local services
- Operates late nights and weekends
10
Innovative Finance Mechanisms
- Finance is not considered a BRT "feature," nor is it included in the BRT Standard. It is mentioned here because innovative finance mechanisms are increasingly important for BRT projects in today's environment of diminishing federal funding.
- Innovative finance mechanisms—such as special assessment districts or public/private joint development projects—attempt to capture the increased value of property surrounding a BRT line or corridor, using it to leverage public funding resources and help pay for capital costs.
- Key private sector stakeholders include real estate developers and investors, law firms and project management consultants.
Based on ITDP, The BRT Standard
Value Chain
For a list of lead firms, click on any value chain category.
| Planning | Finance | Construction | Operation | ITS | Manufacture |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Full Service Professional
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Legal & Government Affairs
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Operation
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Systems
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BRT Vehicles
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Funding & Finance Consulting
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Contractors
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Fuel
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Signal Priority
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Stations
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Architecture & Engineering
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Public Sources
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Passenger Communication
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Bicycle Parking/Sharing
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Communications
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Investors
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Fare Collection
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Specialty
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Real Estate
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Maintenance
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Safety/Security
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Key
Public sector
Private sector
For interactive maps and firm-level data, click here: http://tinyurl.com/7pmzwjj