Source: Volvo Research and Education Foundations (VREF) – Octuber 8th, 2015
An International Competence Day on Bus Rapid Transit followed by a Research Seminar on the same subject organized by the K2 – Swedish Knowledge Centre for Public Transport, on September 30 and October 1 in association with VREF encoutered success due to the growing interest to learn more about how BRT works in other countries. The director of our BRTCoE, Juan Carlos Muñoz, with Chris Zegras and Dario Hidalgo participate in this event.
During this event, several speakers highlighted how BRT is very similar to rail public transport, while taking advantage of the bus flexibility. High speed, protected bus lanes with full priority, the tight traffic turn and bus stops at ground level are special characteristics of BRT.
– The passengers want reliability and tight turn traffic, which usually are notions associated with rail public transport. These characteristics can also be offered by BRT, said Chris Zegras, Associate Professor at MIT.
The subway presents many advantages: speed, short waiting time, convenience and reliability. All this can also be offered through BRT solutions according to Juan Carlos Muñoz, Superintendent of BRT-ALC and Professor at the Pontificia Universidad Católica in Santiago, Chile.
The «tight traffic turn» issue was raised as an important factor that could lead more car drivers to prefer public transport.
– We will not win the battle with low fees but rather with a service of high quality, said Professor Muñoz.
Parts of the first day was also devoted to the national focus with attendees from different parts of Sweden who investigate or already made use of BRT-like system.
– The BRT has encountered major successes over the last few decades, especially in South America and Asia. Although conditions are different, Sweden has much to learn of BRT developments in other countries. It is great that we have been able to attract some of the world’s leading researchers to come and share their knowledge, said John Hultén, K2 ‘s Director.
Link to the conference presentations:
- BRT and Accessibility – C. Zegras
- BRT and BHLS Evolution Worldwide – D. Hidalgo
- From BRT to BHLS – F. Rambaud – CEREMA
- Guidelines för attraktiv kollektivtrafik -S. Ringqvist
- Karlstad Stråket – R. Sahlberg
- M(almö)Ex(press)en – O. Beckman, M. Möller and F. Palm
- New Trends and Opportunities for BRT – J. C. Muñoz
- Vad önskar resenärerna -M. Friman
