This paper evaluates the feasibility of a novel transit vehicle concept, Slim Modular Flexible Electric Bus Rapid Transit (SMFe-BRT), consisting of a variable number of vehicular modules that are slimmer, virtually coupled, and driven by self-propelled in-wheel electric motors. This innovative design concept offers many advantages over the conventional BRT vehicles. First, the narrower modules require less right of way and construction cost for the dedicated bus lanes. Because the smaller size of the modules, each module can be powered by in-wheel electric motors, which help reduce emissions and carbon print. The virtually coupled and self-propelled modules can easily negotiate sharp turns at intersections and be responsive to fluctuating demand by time of day, thus has potential to reduce passengers’ waiting time and curtail energy cost by closely matching capacity to the actual demand. In this study, the SMFe-BRT is evaluated against the traditional BRT based on multiple criteria, including finances, transport efficiency, and environment impacts. It shows that the SMFe-BRT offers additional benefits in the context of both freeway and arterial operations and is generally preferred to the traditional BRT.
Feasibility Study of a Novel Transit Vehicle Concept: Slim Modular Flexible Electric Bus Rapid Transit
International Conference on Transportation and Development 2020 ; 2020 ; Seattle, Washington (Conference Cancelled)
2020-08-31
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
Lumberton Transit Feasibility Study
NTIS | 1972
|Rapid Transit Review - Transit News
Online Contents | 2000