Technical characteristics of bus rapid transit (BRT) systems that influence urban development

Abstract

This dissertation explores the relation between bus rapid transit (BRT) technical characteristics and influence on urban development. It includes a comprehensive knowledge in terms of BRT technical characteristics and performance. Explanation in terms of the influence of Boston Silver Line 4 and 5 and Seoul BRT systems on urban development around the systems is used as case studies. Analysis on the technical characteristics of and investigation on the performance of Boston Silver Line 4 and 5 and Seoul BRT systems are provided. The analysis on the technical characteristics of the BRT systems includes analysis in terms of the station configuration and accessibility, vehicle capacity and accessibility, segregated right of way, off-board ticketing and network width and transit network integration. The technical characteristics of the BRT systems are analysed in regard to their positive contribution towards the patronage, vehicle average speed and passengers per hour per direction (pphpd) figure of the BRT systems. The investigation on the performance of the BRT systems includes investigation in terms of the maximum and average pphpd figure of the BRT systems. This dissertation shows that BRT systems that influence urban development have technical characteristics which enable the BRT systems to have high performance. However, it is unclear whether or not these technical characteristics make BRT systems influence urban development by making the systems have high performance.