Faster, Smarter, Greener: The Future of the Car and Urban Mobility (The MIT Press)

by Venkat Sumantran

Developers of future city master plans cannot afford to exclude an important role for buses. A host of developments and innovations can render investment in BRT systems very productive. a. Innovations in propulsion technology. Across the world, buses are shifting to a range of cleaner propulsion options such as electric, hybrid electric, or biogas. They can make significant contributions to lowering carbon emissions. b. Innovations in pricing. Most cities in the U.S. and Europe offer subsidized fares to promote ridership on public transport, justifying the move through demonstration of cost avoidance in other areas such as road maintenance, city pollution mitigation, and parking capacity increases. Pricing is increasingly employed to influence modal shifts. c. Innovations in electronics. In parallel, many cities are also upgrading their mass transit fleets and investing in their physical and digital infrastructure. Buses and trams are being equipped with Wi-Fi to allow users to be productive or be entertained during travel. Timetables are dynamically updated, allowing online access for up-to-date information. User apps are rapidly gaining popularity, further increasing ease of use, adding flexibility, and lowering travel costs for commuters. d. Innovations in infrastructure. Many cities are making their BRT corridors intelligent. These buses can communicate with traffic lights for priority and, in platooned convoys, travel faster through crowded thoroughfares. For example,...