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Design Specifications

For many communities the concept of BRT is new. Without appropriate design criteria it is difficult for an individual community to determine the likely costs and impacts associated with a BRT system. As BRT systems are relatively new there is not the body of knowledge to guide the prospective BRT community in the design of a BRT system. Most designers have relied on rail based design standards. At the sketch planning level this may be an appropriate choice however unless the agency is considering expanding to a rail based system this may result in an overestimate of the geometric needs which could result increased anticipated land impacts.

Also as a number of BRT implementations include dedicated facilitates, used by professional driver, standard roadway design requirements may be inappropriate. At a minimum the design criteria should consider the vertical and horizontal geometry, vehicle dimensions, station requirements, and lane widths, vehicle speeds. Design standards and allowable practices do vary from region to region: the final criteria will be determined by the officiating jurisdiction however it is desirable that the designer have some basis to evaluate the design. A consistent set of design standards also aids comparison of alternatives. Also during the early stages of the project development it is unlikely that a vehicle will have been selected. As the size and operating characteristics play an important role in the design, the use of generic measures is appropriate.

Author: Graham Carey