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MassTransit_December2016_January2017

Is Autonomous Bus Rapid Transit the Next Evolution of BRT? By Tim Sorenson, P.E. Autonomous bus rapid transit could combine the best of light rail and BRT to set a new B standard in public transportation. US RAPID TRANSIT (BRT) is commonly described as “light rail on wheels.” It combines the qualities of a light rail system, such as speed, effi ciency, off -board fare collection, and permanent, bus rapid transit could scale up to well-equipped stations, with the lower costs and locational versatility of a rubber tire system. Simply put, BRT gives buses many of the best qualities of trains without the accompanying price tag. Th ough transit professionals generally agree that these qualities give BRT an edge over light rail, some are still considering light rail construction to improve mobility along their communities’ busiest corridors. Th e primary reason for favoring light rail over BRT is the potential for greater capacity needed on some high-demand routes. Only so many people can fi t inside a bus, while train cars are longer and can be joined together to accommodate more riders during peak hours. Recent advances in autonomous vehicle technology, however, could eliminate this concern and evolve BRT to be more than a light rail mimic. Autonomous bus rapid transit could combine the best of light rail and BRT to set a new standard in public transportation. Automated Bus Benefits Autonomous vehicle technology would allow BRT operators to link multiple buses together seamlessly, adapting to demand and adding capacity as needed. Imagine that tomorrow, 40 riders on a high-demand BRT line who all catch the bus at the same stop start leaving work at 5:30 p.m. instead of 5 o’clock. Th e next day, the operator could easily string two buses together to meet the change in demand. Th ese additional buses would not be physically linked, unlike trains. Rather, the autonomous systems could be calibrated so that the buses traveled inches apart at all times, oft en traveling in train-like platoons. In theory, autonomous 18 | Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 as many vehicles as needed and it would help operators maintain bus headways when there is congestion. Depending on the size of the autonomous buses, current turning restrictions common for CLEVELAND’S HEALTHLINE BRT. AUTONOMOUS TECHNOLOGY could bring many benefits to bus rapid transit: improved safety through side and rear collision detection; true precision docking, allowing the buses to get as close to the curb as possible; and greater ability to adapt to demand and add capacity as needed by sending messages from the stations to operations centers.


MassTransit_December2016_January2017
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