How BRT Can Be Adapted to Small and Medium-Sized Cities in Sweden and Europe
The idea of what a BRT project should look like varies from city to city. However, by using a shared planning tool with clear parameters, collaboration between different stakeholders in small and medium-sized cities in Sweden can be facilitated. This is the conclusion of a new study.
In the study, researchers examined how the BRT concept (Bus Rapid Transit) can be adapted to a Swedish and European context. BRT, often associated with dedicated bus lanes and priority signalling, is a global phenomenon that emerged in large cities in South America and Asia. Interest in the concept has grown in Sweden, but the conditions differ significantly between Swedish cities and international metropolitan areas. The researchers therefore wanted to investigate whether Swedish BRT differs from international examples – and if so, how.
“We see that there are many ideas about what BRT is, and that a BRT project in one city does not necessarily look the same as in another. There are simply many different ways to achieve a BRT standard,” says Jakob Allansson, PhD student at K2 and LTH and lead author of the article Developing a BRT Planning Tool for Small and Medium-Sized Cities, recently published in European Transport Studies.
Specific Challenges
Swedish and European cities face challenges such as limited street space, lower demand, and fragmented governance, which require cooperation between multiple actors during the planning process to implement BRT. A key issue identified in previous research is the lack of a shared understanding of how BRT should be planned in such contexts. The researchers have therefore developed a planning tool for Swedish BRT aimed at facilitating collaboration between stakeholders early in the planning process.
The proposed tool offers a more balanced approach to achieving BRT status, in contrast to the traditional infrastructure-heavy focus on measures to increasecapacity and commercial speed that is common in large cities. The tool integrates infrastructure, urban planning, vehicle solutions and operations, while promoting well-considered design decisions that ensure high-quality services. This approach is better suited to developing BRT projects in smaller cities, where the focus is often on broader urban development strategies rather than purely transport-oriented solutions.
Flexibility and Clear Metrics
“We wanted to make it easier for stakeholders involved in the planning of BRT projects to collaborate by helping to clarify the parameters that make up the BRT concept. In this way, we hope that all parties can develop a shared understanding of what they want to achieve,” says Jakob Allansson.
The planning tool can also serve as a basis for agreements and subsequent evaluation of compliance.
During the study, which was based on survey questions, Jakob Allansson also noted that many respondents requested a planning tool that was flexible and could be adapted to local contexts, while still offering clear measurability for the various parameters.
Co-authors of the article are Joel Hansson and Fredrik Pettersson-Löfstedt, both researchers at K2 and Lund University.
Facts: Planning Tool for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Sweden
The planning tool is based on assessing and scoring 25 different parameters. These parameters are divided into four categories: Urban Design, Public Transport Infrastructure, Vehicles and Support Systems, and Operations. The maximum total score is 100 points. Based on the total score, bus routes can be classified as one-star BRT (at least 45 points), two-star BRT (at least 65 points), or three-star BRT (at least 85 points).
The planning tool is considered to have the potential to influence current planning practices in Sweden, as it clearly identifies areas for improvement required to achieve specific ambition levels (one-, two- or three-star BRT).
Swedish BRT implementations have so far generally resulted in quality improvements in areas such as service frequency, bus design and urban planning.
The planning tool was previously presented in the report K2 Outreach 2024:2. Both this report and a link to “Planning Tool for Swedish BRT” can be found via the link below.
Planeringsverktyg för Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) i Sverige – K2