State of Maryland BRT Brochure - Bus Rapid Transit Policy Center

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BRT Brochure.qxd 10/11/04 12:18 PM Page 4The Ehrlich Administration has made a promise to Maryland's residentsand businesses to make tangible, near-term transportation improvementsthroughout the State in order to achieve Governor Ehrlich's vision of aMore Mobile Maryland. The State's transportation agencies are committedto easing the congestion that clogs our highways and constrains ourtransit services.Maryland faces a number of challenges inproviding the best possible transportationoptions. There are competing demands forfunds due to a backlog of unfunded butimportant transportation projects – somedeferred for a decade or more. This posesa hurdle for tackling congestion statewide,including in the critical I-270 TechnologyCorridor, on arterial highways in and out ofD.C. and Baltimore, in the I-95 corridor, andthroughout Southern Maryland.To help address traffic congestion and improvecustomer service, the Maryland Department ofTransportation (MDOT), Maryland TransitAdministration (MTA), and Maryland StateHighway Administration (SHA) are consideringa new approach – Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).BRT – Combining the ServiceQuality of Rail with theFlexibility of BusesConventional bus and rail transit already play a vitalrole in Maryland's transportation network. Transit servicereduces congestion, assists with efficient land use, supportseconomic development, and provides transportationaccess and mobility for the young, elderly, disabled,and those who do not own an automobile.Bus Rapid Transit encompasses a variety ofapproaches designed to improve travel speed,reliability, and quality of transit services. In generalterms, a BRT system is an integrated rapid transit systemthat combines the quality of rail with the flexibilityof buses.Bus Rapid Transit is not a one-size-fits-all solution,but rather a family of approaches that share commonPrinciples of BusRapid Transit■ Move people as effectively asrail at a potentially lower initialcapital cost■ Fully utilize existing roadways,rights-of-way, and station sites■ Take advantage of availabletechnology (e.g., automatic vehiclelocation, passenger information,signal priority, and “Smart Card”type fare collection)■ Apply incremental systemdevelopment, based ondemand and funding■ Maximize operating flexibility■ Change the mindset for bustransit – from conventionalbus fleet operations to state-ofthe-arttransit systems that areconvenient, reliable, attractive,and comfortablefeatures or principles. BRT solutions range from BRTvehicles operating in general-purpose travel laneswith preferential access and “queue jumping” attraffic signals, to full-fledged integrated systemsoperating in exclusive "running ways." There is afull continuum of BRT approaches between thesetwo extremes.Bus Rapid Transit systems may incorporatestreamlined fare collection techniques, suchas pre-pay systems, further supporting quickerboarding and exiting, as well as use of advancedinformation systems to improvecustomer convenience, speed,reliability, and safety.Common BRT componentsare explained more fully onpages 4 and 5.2 3
BRT Brochure.qxd 10/11/04 12:18 PM Page 6Components of a Bus RapidTransit SystemA BRT system combines flexible service and newtechnologies to improve customer convenienceand reduce delays. While specific BRT applicationsvary, the components may include:Running Ways – exclusive guideways ordedicated lanes that allow BRT vehiclesto be free of conflicting automobiletraffic, parked or stopped vehicles, andother obstructions – maximizing BRToperating speeds. In some situations,BRT vehicles also may operate in generaltraffic, trading speed and reliability forflexibility. "Queue jumper" is a termthat refers to short exclusive lanes atsignalized intersections that are usedto allow BRT vehicles to jump to thehead of the line and bypass stoppedautomobiles and traffic.Vehicles – modern, low-floor, highcapacity rubber-tired vehicles thataccommodate high volumes of ridersand fast boarding and exiting. BRTvehicles often use clean fuels oralternative power.Stations – ranging from protectedshelters to large transit centers, BRTstations are located within the communitiesthey serve and provide easy access tothe system.Route Structure and Schedule –established to maximize direct, no-transferrides to multiple destinations and to createmore flexible and continuous service(reducing the need for a schedule)for local and express bus service.Fare Collection – designed to make it fastand easy to pay, often before boarding thevehicle, BRT fare collection systems includethe use of self-service proof-of-paymentsystems or pre-paid stored-value farecards, such as a "Smart Card" system.Advanced Technology – the use of advanced technologies (or IntelligentTransportation Systems) to improve customer convenience, speed, reliability, andsafety. Examples include systems that provide traffic signal preference for busesat intersections and cross streets, as well as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) toprovide passenger information such as real-time bus arrival information.Source: Adapted from Transportation Research Board – Transit Cooperative Research Program,4Bus Rapid Transit – Why More Communities are Choosing Bus Rapid Transit, 2001.5
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State of Maryland BRT Brochure - Bus Rapid Transit Policy Center

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