This document discusses the potential for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems to catalyze transit-oriented development (TOD). It examines examples of BRT systems in Shoreline, Washington, Cleveland, Ohio, and Los Angeles, California that have led to development. BRT combines features of rail and bus systems by utilizing dedicated lanes, stations, intelligent transportation systems, and high-quality vehicles and branding. The document argues that BRT presents an emerging opportunity for more affordable and quickly implemented rapid transit projects that could integrate housing and sustainability goals near stations.

1. Bus Rapid Transit:
The Next Opportunity for TOD
Can bus rapid transit help catalyze development?
Lessons from Shoreline, Washington,
Cleveland, Ohio, and Los Angeles, California
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2. Is Bus Rapid Transit …
 Light rail on rubber tires?
 Express buses in HOT lanes?
 Bus-only corridors or busways?
 Buses that, like magic, almost always hit green lights?
BRT vehicles in Las Vegas; Las Vegas RTC
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3. YES!
Clockwise starting top right: Pittsburgh busways; interior of Orange Line bus, Los
Angeles; 95 Express BRT in Broward County, Florida; EmX BRT Line in Eugene-
Springfield, Oregon 3

4. What is BRT? The Technical Definition …
A flexible, high performance rapid transit
mode that combines a variety of physical,
operating and system elements into a
permanently integrated system with a
quality image and unique identity.
Federal Transit Administration/National BRT Institute, 2009
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5. BRT: Like Building an Ice Cream Sundae
Areas Undergoing Innovation
• Running ways or corridors
• Stations
• Vehicles
• Fare collection
• Intelligent Transportation System
technologies, including Transit
Signal Priority
• Service and operations
• Branding
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6. BRT and BRT TOD: The Emerging Opportunity
 Light rail plans get the attention BUT metro areas big and
small are also planning and building BRT systems
 BRT systems can go from plan to reality in just a few
years
 Age of austerity – BRT plans more likely to get built
 Opportunity to integrate workforce housing and
sustainability
 Rail TOD – lots of work has been done already
 BRT and land use? Lots of questions still to be answered
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