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This report is one of the first outcomes of the eBRT2030 project (European Bus Rapid Transit of 2030). It describes the high-level Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system architecture and the status of the key areas of characterisation. The report examines the European context for the implementation of BRT systems and analyses the impact of electrification on BRTs. Furthermore, it describes the state of the art of electric BRT technology and provides an overview of governance and planning for implementation of these systems.

Detailed information and facts about BRT, including standards and design characteristics, performance and costs, implementation guidance and US case studies.

The BRT Standard is the centerpiece of a global effort to establish a common definition of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). The BRT Standard scoring system was created as a way of protecting the BRT brand and offering recognition to high quality BRT systems around the world. Certifying a BRT corridor as gold, silver, bronze, or basic sets an internationally recognized standard for the current best practice for BRT.

This paper provides a detailed description of BRT in comparison with rail-based solutions and conventional bus services. It also presents in detail a number of selected scheme-oriented applications from around the world, looking into some of the basic ingredients behind BRT’s success (or failure) stories.

This report reviews experiences with designing and implementing BRT systems worldwide. Key topics in this report include BRT definition across a spectrum of service qualities and costs; global trends; relationships between urban densities and BRT cost-effectiveness; comparison of BRT’s cost and performance relative to urban rail transit systems; transit-oriented development (TOD) near BRT stations and along corridors.

Findings of this paper show that full-service BRT can replicate both the functionality standards and image qualities normally associated with rail, and that even a lower-investment “BRT-lite” service performs remarkably well in terms of overall rating achieved per dollar invested. More generally, results indicate that the image of the surrounding urban area may have greater influence on aggregate perceptions than whether a transit service is based on bus or rail technology.

A growing number of North-American cities are promoting transit-oriented development (TOD) in order to combat congestion and other problems associated with sprawling, car-dominated suburban growth. This report provides an answer about whether BRT, a lower cost mass transit solution, could be used to leverage TOD investments. Some 21 LRT, streetcar and BRT corridors in 13 cities across the US and Canada have been evaluated.