Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

A blend of rail and bus transit, bus rapid transit (BRT) systems promise fast and efficient service, route flexibility, increased convenience, and cost-effective mobility.

As your transportation budgets continue to be challenged, BRT, which ranges from 5 to 20 percent of the cost of an LRT line, is more likely to receive funding and achieve a higher return on investment. Sounds like a win-win. But these alternative modes bring a host of expectations.

  • Your BRT passengers want fast boarding—how will you implement off-board fare collection and level-boarding platforms?
  • Your BRT passengers want reliable service—how will you reduce delays from congestion, traffic signals, and frequent stops?
  • Your BRT passengers want shelter—how will your stations protect them while they wait for service?

It’s up to you to address these expectations. Perhaps you will implement a self-service payment system. You might create bus lanes on urban streets, or a transit mall in a city center. Maybe you will implement transit signal priority to detect approaching buses, or realign curbs to manage traffic. No matter your approach, you need a partner to help build consensus, while keeping your project on time and within budget.

Miles of Solutions

High-profile bus rapid transit (BRT) projects are best managed by a team who productively engages and manages the expectations of the public and your stakeholders. A premier BRT designer, Kimley-Horn provides services in everything from conception to implementation. Our multifaceted teams have completed the study or design of more than 250 miles of BRT across the country and we develop solutions that are unique to each community. Our strength in traffic engineeringroadway designlandscape architecture, and complete streets pairs well with BRT projects, which are often a cost-effective solution.

Related Projects and Case Studies

A rapid bus stops at a bus stop.

South Bay Bus Rapid Transit

Kimley-Horn served as the prime consultant on the South Bay Bus Rapid Transit project, leading it through...