APTA STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM APTA BTS-BRT-RP-002-10, Rev 1 RECOMMENDED PRACTICE First Published: October 1, 2010 American Public Transportation Association First Revision: December 11, 2020 1300 I Street, NW, Suite 1200 East, Washington, DC 20006 Bus Rapid Transit Working Group Bus Rapid Transit Stations Abstract: This recommended practice provides guidance for planning and designing stations for bus rapid transit systems. Keywords: BRT, Basic BRT, bus rapid transit, Premium BRT, station, stop, platform, transit center, transit- oriented development, TOD Summary: Bus rapid transit (BRT) service creates a premium rapid transit experience using rubber-tired vehicles. The station is one of the elements of BRT service that serves to distinguish it from other bus services. This document provides a set of recommended practices for planning, design and development of BRT stations for planners, transit agencies, local governments, developers and others interested in developing new, or enhancing existing, BRT systems. This document is part of a suite of recommended practices covering the key elements that comprise BRT service. Because BRT elements perform best when working together as a system, this document may reference others in this series of recommended practices. Users of this document are advised to review all guidance documents to better understand how different BRT elements are interrelated in delivering a high impact transit project. Scope and purpose: The recommended practice provides guidance for the planning and development of BRT stations. The document provides guidance for design and implementation of BRT stations (covering station elements and considerations for the overall station area) and on dimensions and layouts of BRT stations (including elements such as curb height, platform width, etc). This document does not review aspects of stations that are universally applicable to other public transportation service as well as BRT systems. This document represents a common viewpoint of those parties concerned with its provisions, namely transit operating/planning agencies, manufacturers, consultants, engineers and general interest groups. The application of any recommended practices or guidelines contained herein is voluntary. APTA standards are mandatory to the extent incorporated by an applicable statute or regulation. In some cases, federal and/or state regulations govern portions of a transit system’s operations. In cases where this is a conflict or contradiction between an applicable law or regulation and this document, consult with a legal advisor to determine which document takes precedence. © 2020 The American Public Transportation Association (APTA). No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, in an electronic retrieval system or otherwise, without prior written permission of APTA. Table of Contents Participants................................................................................................................................................... iv Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... v GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF BRT STATIONS .............................. 1 1. The role of stations .................................................................................................................................. 1 2. Station types ............................................................................................................................................ 1 2.1 Basic bus stop .......................................................................................................................................... 1 2.2 Basic BRT station .................................................................................................................................... 2 2.3 Premium BRT station .............................................................................................................................. 3 2.4 Freeway/highway stations ........................................................................................................................ 5 2.5 Transit center ........................................................................................................................................... 8 2.6 End-of-line or terminus facility ................................................................................................................ 9 3. Amenities ................................................................................................................................................. 9 3.1 Accessibility ............................................................................................................................................ 9 3.2 Shelter and seating ................................................................................................................................. 10 3.3 Real-time passenger information ............................................................................................................ 11 3.4 Maps and other way-finding devices ...................................................................................................... 12 3.5 Lighting ................................................................................................................................................. 12 3.6 Trash and recycling receptacles.............................................................................................................. 12 3.7 Landscaping .......................................................................................................................................... 13 3.8 Bike lockers and racks ........................................................................................................................... 13 3.9 Parking .................................................................................................................................................. 14 3.10 Climate control strategies ..................................................................................................................... 14 3.11 Fare collection equipment .................................................................................................................... 16 3.12 Shared mobility considerations ............................................................................................................ 16 4. Planning and development considerations .......................................................................................... 16 4.1 Land use, development activity and zoning ............................................................................................ 16 4.2 Transit-oriented development................................................................................................................. 17 4.3 Value capture......................................................................................................................................... 18 4.4 Architectural treatments ......................................................................................................................... 19 5. Design considerations .......................................................................................................................... 21 5.1 Foundations ........................................................................................................................................... 21 5.2 Concrete bus pads .................................................................................................................................. 21 5.3 Utility considerations ............................................................................................................................. 21 5.4 Branding ................................................................................................................................................ 23 6. Property needs ...................................................................................................................................... 23 6.1 Location ................................................................................................................................................ 23 BRT STATIONS DIMENSIONS AND LAYOUT ........................................................................................... 32 7. Station and platform dimensions .......................................................................................................... 32 7.1 Platform layout ...................................................................................................................................... 32 7.2 Platform length ...................................................................................................................................... 32 7.3 Designated location for vehicle servicing of station ................................................................................ 32 7.4 Platform area ......................................................................................................................................... 33 © 2020 American Public Transportation Association | ii 7.5 Platform width ....................................................................................................................................... 34 7.6 Platform height .....................................................................................................................................