Written by: Eglantina Dani. Originally published on Medium.
As European cities continue to expand and evolve, they grapple with a multifaceted challenge: to ensure their citizens’ access to essential resources while navigating the constraints of finite environmental, social, and economic resources. Urban centres are confronted with the pressing need to provide employment opportunities, education access, and vital public services, all while fostering sustainability. This intricate challenge demands meticulous planning and innovative strategies that harmonize the intricacies of urban life with the imperative to preserve the planet.
Amidst these complexities, a shift toward climate action has been gaining momentum, with a particular emphasis on inclusivity, air quality improvements, and urban development. The detrimental effects of over-reliance on single-occupancy vehicles are undeniable — air and noise pollution, traffic congestion, sprawling urban expansion, and the tragic toll of traffic accidents. It is now imperative for cities to embrace sustainable mobility alternatives and revamp urban planning strategies, pivoting toward densely connected corridors equipped with efficient public transportation and accessible amenities.
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), emerging as a cost-effective and promising urban transportation solution, is gaining traction across the globe. By boasting segregated bus lanes, off-board fare collection, and priority at intersections, BRT systems offer a suite of advantages over conventional bus systems. Swift travel times, heightened reliability, and reduced emissions are among the benefits, making BRT a compelling choice for meeting sustainable mobility objectives. Its efficiency is further underscored by its relatively swift and budget-friendly implementation compared to other infrastructural undertakings.
To fully unlock the potential of BRT as a viable alternative to private cars or trains, certain critical factors must be systematically addressed:
1. Robust Infrastructure: High-capacity buses and dedicated lanes necessitate a well-designed infrastructure that accommodates both passengers’ needs and operational demands. Features like bus shelters, specialized lanes, and intelligent traffic management systems foster a seamless experience for commuters and operators alike.
2. Cutting-Edge Technologies: Incorporating technologies like electric buses and smart charging systems not only aligns with environmental goals but also demands an efficient charging infrastructure. The fusion of electric buses with smart charging optimization ensures reliable and effective operations.
3. Operations and Financing: While the long-term benefits of reduced congestion and enhanced air quality are clear, the initial costs of BRT implementation can be substantial. Innovative financing models, such as public-private partnerships and value capture financing, offer pathways to financial sustainability.
4. Enhanced User Experience: To entice commuters, a superior user experience is indispensable. Features such as real-time information displays, comfortable seating, and user-friendly payment options contribute to making BRT a preferred mode of travel.
Addressing these factors is at the heart of the European Bus Rapid Transit 2030 (EBRT2030) project, which seeks to elevate the quality and allure of BRT systems across Europe, ushering in a new era of sustainable urban mobility.
Let’s evaluate these factors together.
Infrastructure
To achieve a robust infrastructure, cities must invest in a range of infrastructure improvements, including the construction of dedicated bus lanes, the installation of bus shelters and stations, and the implementation of intelligent traffic management systems.
Dedicated bus lanes are essential for ensuring that BRT systems can operate efficiently and reliably. By separating buses from other traffic, BRT systems can avoid congestion and maintain consistent travel times. In addition to dedicated bus lanes, cities must also invest in other infrastructure improvements such as bus shelters and stations. These facilities are essential for providing a comfortable and convenient experience for passengers. Features such as real-time information displays, seating, and lighting can help to make BRT systems more attractive to commuters.
When considering electric BRT, a variety of components need to be taken into account: charging infrastructure, charging and maintenance facilities at depots, and enhanced stops along with physical or virtual right-of-way and bus-priority measures. Intelligent systems that optimise energy management, facilitate communication between system components, and enable advancements in assisted driving and automation are also incorporated.
Technology
To make electric buses a viable option for BRT systems, cities must invest in charging infrastructure that is both reliable and convenient for operators. There are several types of charging systems that can be used for electric buses, including depot charging, opportunity charging, and on-route charging. Depot charging involves charging buses overnight at a central depot, while opportunity charging involves charging buses at stops along their route. On-route charging involves charging buses while they are in motion, typically through overhead wires or inductive charging systems.
In addition to electric buses and charging infrastructure, there are several other technologies that can help to make buses in BRT systems more attractive to commuters. One of these technologies is intelligent transport systems (ITS), which use real-time data to optimize the flow of buses and other traffic on the road. Another technology that can help to improve the user experience of BRT systems is contactless payment system which allow passengers to pay for their fares using a contactless card or mobile device, reducing the need for cash and speeding up boarding times.
Finally, onboard amenities such as Wi-Fi, USB charging ports, and air conditioning can help to make buses in BRT systems more comfortable and convenient for passengers.
Operations
BRT systems require careful planning and management to ensure that they operate smoothly and effectively. One of the key factors in BRT operations is the need for reliable and frequent service. BRT systems typically operate on fixed schedules, with buses running at regular intervals throughout the day. This requires careful coordination between drivers, dispatchers, and other staff to ensure that buses are running on time and that passengers are not left waiting for long periods. Another important factor in BRT operations is the need for effective communication with passengers. Real-time information displays, announcements, and other communication tools can help to keep passengers informed about service disruptions, delays, and other issues.
Financing
There are several innovative financing models that can help spread upfront costs over time and make BRT systems more financially sustainable. A financing model that has been successful in Europe is value capture financing which involves leveraging the increase in property values that is often associated with the construction of new transit infrastructure. Another financing model in Europe is public-private partnerships (PPPs) which involve a partnership between a public agency and a private sector partner to design, build, finance, and operate a BRT system. PPPs can help to spread the risks and rewards of BRT systems between public and private partners and can often lead to more innovative and efficient solutions.
In addition, there are several funding sources available at the European level: European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) provides funding for transportation infrastructure projects, including BRT systems: the European Investment Bank (EIB) also provides financing for transportation infrastructure projects, with a focus on sustainable and green projects.
User experience
In Europe, several BRT systems have prioritized the user experience by investing in a range of amenities and services that make riding BRT more comfortable and convenient. An important factor in the user experience of BRT systems is the quality of the vehicles themselves. In Europe, many BRT systems use high-capacity buses that are designed to be more comfortable and spacious than traditional buses. These buses often feature amenities such as air conditioning, comfortable seating, and low floors for easy boarding. The quality of infrastructure is another key factor in the use experience; cities invest in amenities such as bus shelters, real-time passenger information displays, and convenient payment options.
Conclusions
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems offer several advantages over traditional bus systems, including faster travel times, improved reliability, increased mobility for citizens and reduced emissions. In this article, we have explored the key factors that make BRT attractive for Europe, including infrastructure improvements, the implementation of cutting-edge technologies like electric buses and smart charging systems, innovative financing models, and a focus on providing a top-notch user experience. We have also seen the example of the European Bus Rapid Transit 2030 (EBRT2030) project, which is taking steps to address these issues and could serve as a model for cities looking to make BRT a more attractive option for their citizens.
Overall, BRT has the potential to be a highly attractive option for European countries looking to improve the quality of life for their citizens. By prioritizing the factors that make BRT systems successful, European cities can build sustainable and efficient transit systems that meet the needs of their citizens for years to come.
References
• EBRT2030 project https://ebrt2030.eu/
• The BRT Planning Guide, ITDP
• The BRT Standard, 2016 Edition
