BRT and TOD
Sam Zimmerman
World Bank
What is Transit-Oriented
Development, “TOD”?
• Development near and functionally
related to transit stations/terminals
served by high quality, high
performance transit
• Compact, mixed use developments
that encourage walking, cycling and
transit use by residents, employees,
shoppers and visitors….. by design
Where TOD is not going to happen!
What’s Needed for TOD to Happen?
Rapid Transit Qualities!
BRT: Bus Rapid Transit
• Flexible, permanently integrated high
performance system with a quality
image and a strong ID
• Package of components appropriate
to current and future:
– Markets served
– Physical and operating environment
BRT System Elements
Vehicles
Running Ways
Stations & Terminals
Systems
Service Plan
BRT: Infinite Possibilities, but;
Essential BRT Attributes
– Speed, reliability
– Level and span of service
– Identity and image
– Permanent, quality facilities
BRT Planning/Design
to Promote TOD
• Rapid transit levels of service
– High all day, all week
• High ridership
• Pervasive system identity, image
• Permanence, quality of “hard”
elements
– Stations and terminals
– Running Ways
Stations and Terminals
• .25 – 1 mile station spacing
• Large enough to handle large numbers of
waiting passengers, BRT vehicle flows
• Weather protected
• Amenities, passenger information
• Good pedestrian, local bus, auto access
• Safe, secure
• Convey unique identity and quality image
• Design integrated with surroundings
Range of Station Possibilities
Mexico City Metrobus
Range of Station Possibilities
Brisbane: SE Busway
Range of Station Possibilities
Seattle CBD
LRT/BRT Tunnel
Running Ways
• BRT can operate in broad variety of
physical and operating environments, but
segregated, dedicated preferred
• Critical planning and design parameters:
– Ability to safely support rapid, reliable services
– Safe rapid transit vehicle access
– Identity, aesthetics
Arterial Median Transitway
Vancouver: 98B
Number Three Road
Rouen TEOR
Arterial Median Transitway
Bogotá Transmilenio
Free-Standing Bus/Transitway
Ottawa
Pittsburgh
Conveying System Identity & Image
• Stops, Stations, Terminals:
– Design, colors, graphics, signage,
materials
• Running Ways:
– Barriers, pavement markings/materials/
colors, graphics, signage, landscaping
Consistent, Unique Station Design
LACMTA
MetroRapidBus
Local Bus: Not BRT “Lite” Orange Line BRT
Consistent, Unique Graphics, Icons
Brisbane:
S.E. Busway
Running Way Color, Markings
Kunming, China Seoul
Nagoya
BRT TOD Results
• Boston Silver Line
• Denver: 16th Street Mall
• Ottawa Transitway System
• Brisbane SE Busway
• York VIVA
• Various Latin American Systems
Boston: MBTA Silver Line:
$700 M Worth of Projects Along Line
Since BRT Construction Began in early 90’s
Boston MBTA Silver Line Phase I
New Mixed Use Development
Adjacent to Stations
TOD Near Silver Line Phase II
Silver Line Phase II
Convention Center Station
Boston MBTA Silver Line Phase II
New Mixed Use Development
Adjacent to Stations
Denver 16th St. Mall: Generally credited
as turning Denver’s CBD around after
decades of decline
New Retail, Entertainment
Venues
Denver 16th St. Mall
New Retail, Entertainment
Venues
Pittsburgh: East/MLK Busway:
About $300 million in development around
station after first 10 years
New Offices, Shopping
Pittsburgh West Busway
Station in High Density
Residential District
New Municipal Bldg., Shops
Carnegie Station
Ottawa Transitways: About $1 Billion
(Cdn) in Development around stations in
BRT system’s first 10 years
Mixed Use
St. Laurent Mall: Highest Grossing
per Sq. Ft. In Ottawa, 30% Public Transport
Mode Share
Local Bus/BRT Interchange
Transitway Mall Entrance
Brisbane SE Busway
Hospital on Air-Rights
“Brisbane Courier Mail,” 7/2/02
• Brisbane: Southern Suburbs, available
... with owner, 5 minutes walk from Garden
City, Busway etc. Looking for a mature
reliable person with ... for 3 b/r townhouse
Greenslopes. Walk to busway and Logan
Road. $75 a week, airconditioning, LUG ...
“Brisbane Courier Mail,” 1/26/02
York VIVA: Opened 9/2005
Curitiba
High Density Residential
Shopping Mall
Bogotá Transmilenio
Mixed-Use
Development
Malls Connected to Stations
BRT Urban Design Integration
After
Before
Vancouver: Richmond
Number Three Road
BRT Urban Design Integration
Brisbane SE Busway
Lessons Learned:
Necessary Ingredients for TOD
• Good development climate
• Complimentary supportive policies
(e.g., parking management, up-zoning)
• Public gathering places
• Pedestrian environment
– Safe and secure
– Short, direct connections among uses,
transit facilities
– Environment friendly
– Urban activities (not just parking lots)
Necessary Ingredients for TOD
Irrespective of Mode
• Transportation Value
– Easy pedestrian access
– Fast, frequent, reliable connections
– Significant people flows
• Permanent, attractive facilities
– Station/terminals MC
– Running ways
• Quality image, unique identity
Necessary Ingredients for TOD
Irrespective of Mode
• Safety and security by design
• Integration of facilities into urban
fabric by design
– Related streetscape
improvements
Bogota
Necessary Ingredients for TOD
• Patience (may take awhile)
• Supportive communities
around stations
• Champions and ambassadors
– Public officials
– Developers
Most Important Lessons Learned
• BRT can help induce TOD efficient land
development patterns and increase real estate
values
– BRT applications contain necessary ingredients for TOD
• Make sure everyone knows what BRT is and wha
it can do!
− The public
− Officials
− Development community
