Vehicle Selection for BRT: Issues and Options

Bus rapid transit (BRT) is a flexible, high performance rapid transit mode that combines facilities, equipment, service and intelligent transportation system (ITS) elements into a permanently integrated system with a quality image and unique identity. Vehicles are an extremely important component of BRT systems, because they not only contribute significantly to BRT’s image and identity, but also play a strong role in achieving measurable performance success. Vehicle-related planning and design issues confront BRT planners in seven basic areas: 1. Capacity, External Dimensions 2. Internal Layout 3. Doors 4. Floor Height 5. Propulsion Systems 6. Vehicle Guidance 7. Aesthetics, Identity and Branding This paper draws heavily on 26 case studies documented in TCRP Project A-23 (Levinson, Zimmerman, et al. 2003). It also reflects experience from newer BRT systems and concludes with a series of general principles and guidelines for vehicle design, selection, and use in BRT applications