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The TCRP report Bus Rapid Transit: Volume 2: Imple- tive responses were narrowly distributed among agencies
mentation Guidelines posits how to optimize vehicle design of all sizes, 30 of 39 agencies (77%) do not consider desig-
for accessibility and efficiency. "Easy and rapid passenger nated storage for large items when reviewing the designs and
boarding, alighting, and circulation are still basic BRT considering the purchase of new vehicles. It can be noted,
vehicle requirements to minimize dwell times. Distinct BRT however, given a few of the comments to this question,
vehicle interior layouts usually involve large standing/cir- that respondents did not consider the term "large items" to
culation areas around doors. These aid boarding, alighting, include wheelchairs.
and circulation and also function as storage areas for baby
carriages, strollers, shopping carts, and wheelchairs and, in
the process, support the image of a quality system that meets
the needs of the entire community" (Levinson et al. 2003).
Manufacturers are responding to transit agencies' needs
in their new designs. For example, Alstrom's AGV offers a
wider width for better access by those with reduced mobil-
ity (see Figure 57). The modular design can be customized
for specific needs, such as more or less space for bicycles.
Bombardier has produced a multilevel car for NJ Transit
with upper and lower seating levels as well as an intermedi-
ate level at each end of the car for wheelchairs, bicycles, or
luggage. (Harnack 2009).
FIGURE 58 Perimeter seating in a Bombardier CX-100 car in
Singapore (courtesy : Mailer Diablo, Copyright © 2006 Mailer
Diablo on http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BPLRT-Int-
CX100.JPG).
TABLE 30
IS DESIGNATED STORAGE/SPACE FOR LARGE ITEMS A
CONSIDERATION OF YOUR AGENCY WHEN PURCHASING
NEW VEHICLES?
Yes 23% (9)
No 77% (30)
n = 39.
FIGURE 57 Pittsburgh's light rail vehicles have a wide aisle Of the agencies that consider storage and space, one
that accommodates standees and large items (courtesy : J. midsized agency admitted "we've actively discussed it" but
Goldman, Nelson\Nygaard Associates). did not end up purchasing the vehicle with a "seating lay-
out showing forward facing seats removed for stroller/large
Bombardier is the manufacturer for Toronto's 234 new item[s]." Agency staff concluded that they "may pilot other
subway cars, dubbed the Toronto Rocket. Each car is to be seating plans in future productions."
equipped with two "multipurpose areas" (12 per train) that
are designed to house wheelchairs and, if not occupied, One large agency detailed its considerations: "Better
"other mobility devices, strollers, bicycles, or large luggage organization of space would be more user friendly and mini-
items" (Toronto Transit Commission 2010) (see Figure 58). mize conflicts between different users; bicycle storage and
wheelchair spaces are considerations. I'm not aware of plans
for luggage racks." Another large agency noted that it does
SURVEY RESULTS not consider storage space for purchases of "buses and other
transit vehicles," but there is "some consideration on com-
Agencies that completed the survey were asked whether muter rail." Agencies that indicated that they do not consider
designated storage/space for large items is an issue when storage space when purchasing new vehicles variously cited
the agency purchases new vehicles. Most agencies do not the effectiveness of current policies and vehicles, or a lack of
consider space/storage issues (Table 30). Although affirma- demand or need (see Figure 59).
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FIGURE 59 Standard bus seating configurations offer limited space for large items (courtesy : J. Goldman, Nelson\Nygaard
Associates).
