TECHNICAL PAPERS
May 1, 1996

A Systematic Review of Busways

Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 122, Issue 3

Abstract

Busways are controlled-access facilities dedicated for bus service separated from general traffic. The concept of busways was first given serious consideration in the 1960s; however, only a few of them have been constructed in North America. This paper examines the potential of busway transit in providing urban environments with cost-effective mobility. The review makes the case that there are some misconceptions concerning the cost and level-of-service characteristics of busways. In the final section, a comparison is made between busways and their most prominent competitor, light rail. The comparison is done in the framework of the four most cited advantages of light rail, and concludes that busways, in most cases, are likely to be a superior mode of transit to light rail.

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References

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Biehler, A. (1988). “The great debate: exclusive busways versus light rail—a comparison of new fixed guideways.”Proc., TRB Nat. Conf. on Light Rail Transit, Transp. Res. Board, Washington, D.C.
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Bonsall, J. (1991). “Light rail transit and the transitway.”Memo to the Commission, OC Transpo, Ottawa, Canada.
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Boyd, J., Asher, N., and Wetzler, E. (1973). “Evaluation of rail rapid transit and express bus service in the urban commuter market.”Rep. Prepared for the Ofc. of Transp. Plng. Anal., U.S. Dept. of Transp., Inst. for Defense Anal., Washington, D.C.
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Pushkarev, B., and Zupan, J. (1980). “Urban rail in America: An exploration of criteria for fixed guideway transit,”Rep. UMTA-NY-06-0061-80-1, U.S. Dept. of Transp., Urban Mass Transp. Admin., Washington, D.C.
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Go to Journal of Transportation Engineering
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 122Issue 3May 1996
Pages: 192 - 199

History

Published online: May 1, 1996
Published in print: May 1996

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David R. Martinelli, Associate Member, ASCE
Asst. Prof., Dept. of Civ. and Envir. Engrg., West Virginia Univ., P.O. Box 6103, Morgantown, WV 26506-6103.

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