Recent Developments in Bus Rapid Transit: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Bus rapid transit (BRT), characterized by modern vehicles, dedicated busway and applications of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technologies, is increasingly considered as a cost‐effective approach of providing a high‐quality transport service. Many cities across the world have recently launched ambitious programmes of BRT system implementation with varying success. This paper intends to provide an overview of the recent developments of BRT across the globe, and discusses the current issues and debates relating to the land development impact of BRT. It considers in turn the impact of BRT examining technical performance, cost issues and land development impact. The paper concludes that appropriately designed and operated BRT systems offer an innovative approach to providing a high‐quality transport service, comparable to a rail service but at a relatively low cost and short implementation time. In common with other forms of mass transit, a full‐featured BRT has the potential to offer significant effects on land development; the literature review also indicates that more work is needed to investigate this.

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Brendan Finn (ETTS Ltd. and the University of Aberdeen) for valuable suggestions on an earlier draft of this paper and three anonymous reviewers for their significant and constructive comments for improving the manuscript. The authors also acknowledge the financial support provided by the China Scholarship Council in conducting this research. Any mistakes and omissions in this paper remain our responsibility.

Notes

1. In the USA, the National BRT Institute is hosted by the University of South Florida, http://www.nbrti.org/.

2. In Europe, the EC‐funded COST Action Buses with a high level of service (TU0603) has been established to better understand sustainable mobility in urban areas and to promote a useful way to enhance the bus image, http://www.cost.esf.org/index.php?id=1099. In the UK, BRTuk seeks to raise the profile of, and develop a centre of excellence in, BRT; see http://www.brtuk.org/.

3. In some cities, BRT systems were built at a very low cost due to simplified implementation of BRT features. For example, the Kunming busway network has six corridors. The infrastructure costs ranged from US$0.5 to US$0.8 million per mile (excluding vehicles) (Darido, 2006).

4. Cost per thousand place miles: places account for total number of seats and permitted standings.