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Bus Rapid Transit System

Concept of BRT System

Bus rapid transit (BRT) is a high-quality, high-capacity bus service that travels on exclusive lanes along designated routes. Often compared with the speediness and comforts of a streetcar, BRT is not your typical bus. BRT buses can signal a green light at an upcoming intersection to stay on schedule and reduce travel time by 15 to 30 percent. With pay-before-you-board stations and a boarding platform at the same level as the sidewalk, passengers benefit from quick and accessible boarding. At-grade boarding platforms are also cheaper to construct and maintain, and create economic development opportunities. For more click here

There are several advantages of building BRT System
  • Bus only, grade-separated (or at-grade exclusive) right-of-way: The main feature of a BRT system is dedicated bus lanes which separates the buses from the other motorized as well as non-motorized vehicles. This makes the busses more reliable as they are able to travel in a lane exclusive to them. The other vehicles also don't have to fight with the big buses for road space and can drive peacefully. Another benefit of this is lower construction costs, since busways can be engineered to tighter standards and still remain safe compared to a roadway open to all drivers.

  • Utilizes existing infrastructure: Unlike other modes of public transport like the Metro which need to reclaim land to build the track, BRT can use the existing roadways in cities.

  • Bus priority / bus lanes : The BRT system allows for preferential treatment of buses at intersections as the signals can change into green light upon detection of an approaching bus.

  • Vehicles with tram-like characteristics :Recent technological developments such as bi-articulated buses and guided buses have benefited the set up of BRT systems. The main developments are:

  • Improved riding quality (guided bus, electronic drivetrain control smoothing the operation),

  • Increased capacity (bi-articulated or double decker),

  • Reduced operating costs (hybrid electric power train).

  • Level boarding : Many BRT systems also use low floor buses (or high level platforms with high floor buses) to speed up passenger boarding and enhance accessibility.

  • Stations : High quality BRT systems often feature significant investment in enclosed stations which may incorporate attractive sliding glass doors, staffed ticket booths & information booths, and other more standard features listed above. This style of station is seen in Bogota's TransMilenio and in some other cities in Latin America that have adopted BRT systems, while most North American systems tend to use open platform stops, or shelter-style platform stops.

Acceptance of BRT may increase using trolley-buses, because of the lower gaseous and noise emissions. The price penalty of installing overhead lines can be repaid over a longer period by the savings from centrally generated electricity.

BRT attempts to combine the advantages of a metro system (noticeably right-of-way which improves punctuality and frequency) with the advantages of a bus system (low construction and maintenance costs, low vehicle costs, right-of-way not required for entire length, and if catered for the ability for feeder bus services to join a trunk busway).

Compared to standard bus service, BRT systems with dedicated right-of-way lanes, and thus an increased average vehicle speed, can provide more passenger miles with the same number of vehicles and personnel. They also bring about a smoother ride than a normal bus immersed in stop-and-go traffic.

Layout of the BRT corridor

Traffic Rules and Regulations

Studies on Delhi BRT corridor





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