Impact of Bus Rapid Transit System ON cities

BRTS DEFINATIONLloyd Wright ITDP (2002)

“It is a high quality public transport system, oriented to the user that offers fast, comfortable and low cost urban mobility”

BRTS HISTORY• In 1972, Jaime Lerner, then Mayor of Curitiba had a brilliant idea to transform the

face of his city. At the time Curitiba was a small but rapidly expanding city in the south of Brazil.

• His aim was “To develop a plan for the city that could accommodate growth without the sprawl and congestion”

• His plan, which would later be replicated throughout the world, called for an above-ground subway system that would use buses instead of rail.

• Bus rapid transit has been so instrumental in Curitiba’s fight against congestion and sprawl, that Curitiba known as “the most innovative cities in the world” and other cities are beginning to take note.

METHODOLOGY

The study covers 20 BRT case studies from around world. Figures on energy consumption are calculated from the data provided by the different transport agencies responsible for the case studies covered. After determining the energy consumption for each system has ben calculated.

The emissions produced by the existing cities BRT systems are computed. The comparative data of vehicular growth rates in all major metro cities in India was

studied based on local preferences and culture, population density, distribution of trips, climate, geography, topography, available financial resources,local technical capacity and knowledge, existing business and institutional structures, and, perhaps most importantly, the degree of existing political will to implement a high‐quality system.

Short Term Benefits:

1.Efficient, reliable and frequent services

2.Affordable fares

3.A safe and secure public transport system

4.Universal design

5.A decrease in road congestion,

6.Decrease energy consumption and vehicle emissions(co2)

7.An enhanced urban environment

BRTS-benefits Medium-Term Benefits:

1.Containing urban sprawl

2.Promoting social inclusion instead of isolation.

3.Direct and indirect job creation in both the transportation and construction industries

Long-Term Benefits:

1.Economic development in and around the areas of BRT operation

2.Reduction in pollution

3.Reduction of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases

BRTS-benefits

BRTS-challenges

PROS AND CONS

BRT PROS

• Flexibility• Requires no special facilities•Time management• It is used more by people who are transit dependent• Can serve a larger geographical area• Can phase in service instead of waiting for entire system to be completed

BRT CONS•traffic for other vehicles •Accidents•corruption• Poor quality service• Can cause traffic disruption• Lower ridership• Higher operating & maintenance (O&E)

CRITICAL HIGHLIGHTS

1. Since Curitiba BRTS success; BRTS has been popular across the globe & so in India.

2. Growing BRTS will lead to increase popularity of public transport system and hence leading to sustainable transport system.

3. BRTS, MINI BRTS and other innovation can act as feeder service to other existing modes and hence developing a integrated multi modal transport system.

4. Like Bogota BRTS can also help in developing better transport and land use integration and also transit oriented design.

REFERENCESJarzab, J., Lightbody, J. and Maeda, E. 2002. Characteristics of Bus Rapid Transit Projects: An Overview. Journal of Public Transportation, 5 (2): 31-46.ITDP. 2007. Bus Rapid Transit Planning Guide. Published by the Institute of Transportation and Development policy. NY, USA. www.itdp.org/brt_guide.html.