What is Better BRT?
“Better BRT” is an idea developed by Four Corners resident Sean Emerson to implement a fast, safe, and reliable bus rapid transit system on Route 29. Better BRT envisions extending dedicated bus lanes from Burtonsville to Sligo Creek Parkway so that buses don’t get stuck in heavy traffic during rush hour. Better BRT would provide an alternative to driving while also minimizing impacts to drivers and adjacent property owners.
Unlike previous designs proposed by the county and state, Better BRT would create dedicated lanes with minimal road widening while also retaining six lanes for cars through the Route 29 corridor. Better BRT would also enhance safety along the corridor for drivers, bus riders, and pedestrians.
How does Better BRT fit in the existing roadway?
Better BRT would “squeeze in” bidirectional or reversible bus lanes by narrowing the existing travel lanes by one foot and repurposing part of the median. Using this approach, the plan would require minimal road widening, retain six car lanes (three each way).
Use the slider on the street cross section below to compare the lane widths of the existing conditions versus of Better BRT plan.
In order to maintain left-turn access into each neighborhood, the medians would be replaced with turn pockets as shown below. Even though the turn pocket would eliminate the median on that side of the cross street, a pedestrian refuge would be maintained on the other side of the cross street.
How does Better BRT fit in with the county’s current BRT project?
Montgomery County is currently designing a BRT system for the Route 29 corridor, which is estimated to begin operation in 2020. The current county plan is not ideal because only the northern 40% of the system (from Burtonsville to Tech Road) would operate in dedicated lanes. In the more-congested southern 60% of the corridor, buses would run in mixed traffic. Better BRT builds upon the county’s current plan as a follow-up “Phase 2” project that would increase dedicated lanes to 90% or more of the corridor.
Implementation of Better BRT would require the relocation of one or two (Four Corners and possibly Burnt Mills) of the eleven BRT stations in the county’s current “Phase 1” plan. The remaining nine stations would remain unchanged under the Better BRT plan.
Fortunately, relocating BRT stations is relatively inexpensive and straightforward, especially when compared to relocating a subway or even light rail station: the primary assets at a station include shelters, ticket vending machines, trash receptacles, station markers, and other amenities that can be easily relocated. Furthermore, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation is designing the stations using modular, repetitive elements that would minimize the cost and disruption associated with future modifications. The station components that cannot be repurposed or relocated are the concrete raised platform, landscaping, and stormwater management devices.
The main effort associated with the Better BRT plan, in terms of complexity and cost, is the modification of Route 29. Because it is a state road, this work must be coordinated with the Maryland State Highway Administration. Fortunately, the SHA has expressed a willingness to collaborate with Montgomery County to determine if the Better BRT plan is feasible.
Where would Better BRT be located?
Better BRT would extend the dedicated bus lanes from where they are planned to end in the county’s current plan (north of Tech Road) to over four miles south down to Sligo Creek Parkway. An optional component of the Better BRT plan could extend the dedicated lanes further south, to Georgia Avenue by repurposing a general traffic lane.
Use the slider on the map below to compare the extent of dedicated lanes in the current plan versus the Better BRT plan.
Disclaimer
The Better BRT plan is a preliminary concept. It has not yet been professionally reviewed in detail by a qualified professional transportation engineer and as such, may require modifications to implement. There is also likely room for improvement. If you have any questions or suggestions, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions or contact us.