Planning, design and operating features of bus rapid transit (metrobus) systems

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT for short or Metrobus) system applications are becoming more and more widespread world-wide. Similar applications are now in progress and planned to be prevalent in Turkey. According to its definition in the literature, BRT consists of the elements of a public transportation system in a flexible and high performance manner. Therefore, the characteristics of the system and its elements should be determined carefully and the inter-relationships amongs various elements should be defined correctly. Some of the main BRT system elements can be listed as running ways, stations, vehicles, fare collection systems, relationships with intelligent transportation systems (ITS), service and operation plans. Effects of each element to the BRT system performance is considered in terms of travel time, reliability, image and identity, safety and security and capacity. System capacity may differ depending on the elements of the BRT system and the desired level of service. It is possible to compose alternative operation plans to increase the system capacity. BRT contributes to the overall transportation system by helping increace transit ridership and providing cost-effective services, together with its effective management orientation. Positive relations with the environment, positive effects on land use, increase in the capital cost efficiency and operational efficiency are among the social benefits provided by BRT systems. In this study, Istanbul Metropolitan Area Avcılar - Topkapı BRT line is also investigated and some operational improvements are proposed for this line.