Overview of Bus Rapid Transit Opportunities as Part of an Integrated Multi-Modal Strategy to Alleviate Traffic Congestion in Miami-Dade County Technical Memorandum Two (2): Literature Review & Recommended Bus Rapid Transit Elements Prepared for: Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization Prepared by: Center for Urban Transportation Research National Bus Rapid Transit Institute College of Engineering, University of South Florida 4202 E. Fowler Avenue CUT 100 Tampa, Florida 33620-5375 February 2005 – Final Technical Memorandum Two (2): Literature Review and Recommended Bus Rapid Transit Elements This page intentionally left blank. Created on 4/28/2005 12:02:00 PM ii Technical Memorandum Two (2): Literature Review and Recommended Bus Rapid Transit Elements Table of Contents 1. Introduction..................................................................................................................................................... 1 2. Definition of Bus Rapid Transit ................................................................................................................... 1 3. Literature Review: Bus Rapid Transit Elements ...................................................................................... 2 3.1 Runningway Types ............................................................................................................................... 4 3.1.1 Dedicated Right-of-Way................................................................................................................. 4 3.1.2 Buses in HOV Lanes....................................................................................................................... 6 3.1.3 Designated (Reserved) Arterial Bus-Only Lanes.......................................................................... 6 3.1.4 Mixed Traffic Lanes........................................................................................................................ 9 3.1.5 Planning and Implementation Issues ............................................................................................. 10 3.2 Stations.................................................................................................................................................. 11 3.2.1 Station Considerations .................................................................................................................... 11 3.2.2 Station Type..................................................................................................................................... 12 3.2.3 Station Location .............................................................................................................................. 13 3.2.4 Platform Height ............................................................................................................................... 14 3.2.5 Passing Capability........................................................................................................................... 16 3.2.6 Station Access ................................................................................................................................. 17 3.2.7 Station Operational Issues .............................................................................................................. 19 3.2.8 Station Implementation Issues........................................................................................................ 20 3.3 Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)............................................................................................ 23 3.3.1 Characteristics of ITS ..................................................................................................................... 24 3.3.2 Transit Signal Priority..................................................................................................................... 24 3.3.3 Assist & Automation Technology (AAT) ..................................................................................... 25 3.3.4 Electronic Fare Collection.............................................................................................................. 27 3.3.5 Passenger Information .................................................................................................................... 27 3.3.6 Safety & Security............................................................................................................................ 27 3.4 Vehicle Design...................................................................................................................................... 28 3.4.1 Low-Floor Design ........................................................................................................................... 28 3.4.2 Door Capacity.................................................................................................................................. 29 3.4.3 On-Board Amenities ....................................................................................................................... 29 3.4.4 Propulsion System........................................................................................................................... 29 3.4.5 Design & Appearance ..................................................................................................................... 30 3.5 Fare Collection .................................................................................................................................... 32 3.6 Operation and Service Planning......................................................................................................... 33 3.6.1 Characteristics of Operation & Service Planning ......................................................................... 33 3.6.2 Route Length ................................................................................................................................... 34 3.6.3 Route Structure................................................................................................................................ 34 3.6.4 Service Span .................................................................................................................................... 35 3.6.5 Service Frequency........................................................................................................................... 35 3.6.6 Station Spacing................................................................................................................................ 35 3.6.7 Schedule-Based Control ................................................................................................................. 36 3.6.8 Headway-Based Control................................................................................................................. 36 3.6.9 All Day Span of Service ................................................................................................................. 36 3.6.10 Peak Hour Only Span of Service .............................................................................................. 37 3.6.11 Single Route Structure............................................................................................................... 37 3.6.12 Overlapping Route with Skip Stop or Express Variations ...................................................... 37 3.6.13 Integrated or Network System................................................................................................... 37 Created on 4/28/2005 12:02:00 PM iii Technical Memorandum Two (2): Literature Review and Recommended Bus Rapid Transit Elements 4. Recommendations for Miami-Dade County (MDC)................................................................................. 38 4.1 Elements Recommended for all MDC BRT Corridors....................................................................... 39 4.1.1 Runningways ................................................................................................................................... 39 4.1.2 Stations............................................................................................................................................. 41 4.1.3 Vehicles ........................................................................................................................................... 42 4.1.4 Intelligent Transportation Systems and Fare Collection .............................................................. 43 4.1.5 Operation and Service Plan ............................................................................................................ 45 4.1.6 Distinctive System Branding & Marketing ................................................................................... 46 5. Next Steps......................................................................................................................................................... 46 Appendix A – Technical Memorandum One (1) .............................................................................................. 51 Appendix B – List of Transit Terminology ....................................................................................................... 67 Appendix C – References ..................................................................................................................................... 85 Created on 4/28/2005 12:02:00 PM iv Technical Memorandum Two (2): Literature Review and Recommended Bus Rapid Transit Elements List of Exhibits EXHIBIT 1: Examples of