Friday, July 22, 2011

BRT or LRT?

There is a lot of cities worldwide implementing a new BRT(Bus Rapid Transit) systems. They consider it as an alternative to the more expensive metro lines. But why BRT wins in a battle with LRT(Light Rail Transit), tram lines?

Both modes are operating on separated lanes by sharing the same intersection, with right of way category B. Both of them have about the same distance between the stops, they have integrated scheduling, transfer possibilities to other modes, some smarter charging system and they both need about the same infrastructure investments.

But BRT is non guided public transport mode what makes it less comfortable and less safe then a guided LRT mode and the drivers need to be more trained. BRT are running with a gasoline or natural gas engines(electric buses are not frequently used), what pollutes the city centres with a high population density where the lines operate, but LRT runs on electricity what is provided by a catenary. Electricity can be produced environment friendly or at least the pollution is made outside the city.
Someone could say the streetcar is more expensive then a bus, yes, but the rubber tired and more complex buses have more expensive operating costs. Besides a streetcar performs better, smoother, operates with a faster speed and shows better capacity skills.

As the only arguments for the BRT I see its reliability. If one tram breaks down, the whole line is down. When there is power interruption, whole network is down, but buses keep running.

Maybe there is some other decision influencing facts I have not noticed? Or the developers don't rely on their local power supply?