Title

Bus Rapid Transit accessibility: a synthesis of current practices in the United States

Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

2007

Subject Area

Infrastructure - Low Floor, Location - USA, Mobility - Disabled, Modes of Transport - Bus, Transport accessibility - Access to vehicles

Abstract

This study qualitatively analyzes the extent to which priorities of people with disabilities 1 for bus rapid transit (BRT) vehicle, station, and operational design are being incorporated into BRT lines in the United States of America (USA). The study’s conclusions are based on publicly available information distributed by transit systems and non-profit, non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) in communities with BRT lines (including planned lines), as well as dialogue with such agencies and NGO’s. The conclusions reached by this study only directly apply to the transit agencies and advocacy groups surveyed in the course of writing this study. On the basis of these conclusions, however, the authors make further hypotheses concerning priorities and practices of BRT planners and priorities of people with disabilities in the USA. This study first explains the characteristics of BRT and offers a working definition for BRT, distinguishing it from conventional bus service. This study then highlights features of BRT that significantly impact people with disabilities. Next, the features of BRT lines in Boston, Los Angeles, Santa Clara Valley (California), and a planned line in Cleveland are described. Finally, the features actually implemented or planned for those four lines are compared with the list of features that are most and least important to the disability community. The views of the disability community concerning the BRT features are determined based on input from local NGO’s representing people with disabilities as well as analysis by members of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Office of Civil Rights. This study does not concern transit system compliance with ADA requirements 2.