BUS RAPID TRANSIT … PAST, PRESENT, FUTUREEvolution into a Worldwide Winner

摘要

From the 70s, through the 90s, and into the 21st Century, Bus Rapid Transitrn(BRT) has increased its perceived (and real) stature and appeal…. For users and forrntransportation professionals. The U.S. Federal Transit Administration now refers to it asrn“a rapid mode of transportation that can provide the quality of rail transit and thernflexibility of buses.”rnThe author presented comprehensive, forward-looking papers dealing withrnBus Rapid Transit to ARRB Conferences in 1972 and 1992, and published a BRT articlernin ITE Journal in 1974.rnWhile this proposed paper would draw upon this background, it wouldrnprimarily look at the current state-of-art, worldwide, and look forward to potential futurernBRT innovations. The author’s service on the Project (Expert) Panel for two TCRPrnresearch projects (A-23, “BRT Implementation Guidelines”, and A-23A “Costs andrnEffectiveness of BRT Elements”) would be a key resource. These projects began in 2002rnand are expected to extend into 2005.rnThe paper will brief earlier efforts to develop bus priority on running ways forrnbus transit, such as: exclusive bus roadways (e.g. Shirley Highway, El Monte Busway);rncontra-flow exclusive bus lanes (e.g. NJ approach to Lincoln Tunnel); contra-flow, withrnbarriers (e.g. Houston); arterial bus lanes, downtown bus lanes (e.g. New York City);rnbusway systems (e.g. Pittsburgh, Ottawa), and guided bus systems (e.g. Essen, Adelaide).rnThe introduction of further “BRT elements” will then be analyzed, throughrnreview of recent programs which demonstrate the evolution of true Bus Rapid TransitrnSystemsrnSystems. Examples include: Bogota, Colombia; Quito, Ecuador; and Curitiba, Brazilrn(median busway, stations, off-vehicle fares, ITS); Boston/Silver Line (tunnel, stations,rnlow-floor/dual power vehicles, off-vehicle fares, ITS, airport access); Brooklyn,rnNY/Gowanus Expwy (contra-flow bus/HOV lane, with movable barriers); Brisbane,rnAustralia (stations, ITS); Cleveland/Euclid Avenue(arterial median busway with centerrnplatforms, low-floor hybrid diesel-electric vehicles with doors both sides, ITS); LosrnAngeles/Metro Rapid (distinctive/low-floor vehicles, stations, signal priority, ITS); andrnMiami/South Dade Busway (exclusive busway, grade crossings, ITS).rnLooking to the future, there will be extensionsrn. Of BRT systems, as well asrndevelopment of newrnBRT or BRT -related systems. Some of the key extensions will be:rnLos Angeles … additional BRT services on arterials, freeways, and in exclusive busways;rnBoston … Third phase, directly connecting on-street with tunnel section; and New YorkrnCity … extension of Gowanus Expwy bus lane through to Staten Island, with ultra cleanrnfuel vehicles. New systems could include further applications of guided bus technology,rnI.e. mechanical, electronic, or optical. BRT services may also be integrated with otherrnadvanced concepts such as “managed lanes”, as being applied in San Diego and proposedrnfor the NY-NJ area.