Decision support tools for Bus Rapid Transit corridor planning

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Systems have been gained popularity in the United States and worldwide as a cost-effective solution of mass transit. There are certain elements and characteristics that such a system should accomplish to be considered a BRT. However, a uniform definition, defined phases to be deployed, and a reliable methodology to estimate ridership are not well structured and clear yet. The purpose of this research was to help BRT stakeholders with an effective method to plan and assess BRT projects. The first goal of this research was to provide a comprehensive description of the essential characteristics of BRT based on the common features found in systems, currently in operation, worldwide. Secondly, this research suggested different stages of deployment based on the BRT experience in the U.S. As a final goal, the construction of an interactive model capable of looking at the technical fundamentals of transit theory, finance and economics, urban planning, traffic engineering, and infrastructure management was developed based mainly on spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems, the System Dynamics theory and computational tools. The results of this research suggested the most important BRT features to contribute with a BRT definition, the set of features needed to implement an initial phase of a BRT corridor, and an accurate methodology to forecast BRT ridership at a corridor level. These results are aimed to help decision makers when conducting BRT feasibility and planning studies