Design Considerations for BRT Level Boarding Station Platforms 2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Design Considerations for BRT Level Boarding Station Platforms Christopher Hemmer, PE Supervising Engineer Parsons Brinckerhoff Portland, Oregon Isabella Bejarano, PE Lead Engineer Parsons Brinckerhoff Portland, Oregon QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW

2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference What is Level Boarding? • The boarding areas are designed to provide horizontal and vertical gaps compliant with ADA requirements or easily traversed with a short bridgeplate. • Platform heights of 10 inches or greater QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW

2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Why Level Boarding is Advantageous • Reduced Dwell Times • Improved Accessibility • System Branding QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW 3

2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Docking Technologies • Precision Guidance Techniques: Special Curbs Mechanical Guidance Electronic Guidance Manual Docking QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW 4

2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Methodology • Turning Templates – Turning templates were generated using AutoTurn version 6 software from Transoft Solutions • Bus models – Most modeling efforts used a custom generated template based on the New Flyer BRT articulated vehicle (63- foot length) in use in Eugene, Oregon and Cleveland, Ohio. QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW 5

2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Bus Pullouts QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW 6

2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Approach Considerations QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW 7

2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Approach Length vs. Rear Door Gap QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW 8

2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Departure Considerations QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW 9

2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Springfield Transit Station QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW 10

2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Springfield Transit Station QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW 11

2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Dedicated EmX BRT Bay QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW 12

2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Level Boarding Platform QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW 13

2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Deployed Ramp QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW 14

Level Boarding Platform Design Considerations 2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Level Boarding Platform Design Considerations • Vehicle Turning Movements • Defined Layout Limits • Clearance Considerations QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW 15

2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Clearance Considerations QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW 16

2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Departure Maneuver Conflict QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW 17

2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Platform Configurations • Superstop • Sawtooth QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW 18

2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Recommended Sawtooth Geometry QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW 19

Springfield Transit Station – Lessons Learned 2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Springfield Transit Station – Lessons Learned • Sawtooth Configuration • Vehicle Characteristics 3D • Bellows • Bus Test QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW 20

2009 Bus Rapid Transit Conference Next Steps • Data gathering • Expand model QUALITY TRANSIT -- NOW 21