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Evaluating BRT and LRT in San Diego's Mid-Coast Corridor Region

This study compares Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) in San Diego's Mid-Coast Corridor to determine the most efficient public transport method. The research examines operation costs, ridership, and economic impact. BRT is found to be more cost-effective, flexible, and easier to implement, making it a better choice for the region compared to expanding the trolley system. Case studies from Brisbane and Los Angeles support the viability of BRT in San Diego. The study also highlights the importance of serving areas with high percentages of carless households and low-income residents through an efficient transit system.

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Evaluating BRT and LRT in San Diego's Mid-Coast Corridor Region

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  1. Evaluating BRT and LRT in the San Diego’s Mid-Coast Corridor Region Jennifer W. Chang, University of California, San Diego, Urban Studies and Planning • Research Methods: • Case studies – BRT in Brisbane, Australia. • BRT vs. LRT in Los Angeles, California. • Census Data American FactFinder Database – San Diego County Median Age, San Diego County Percentages of House Holds without a Vehicle, Average Population Income in San Diego Region • SANDAG, MTS, GAO, TransNet, i-15 BRT Plan, BRT Guideline - Operation & Capital Cost, Ridership, Fare, Economic Development Research Question: Would ridership needs in the area of the Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project be better Served by the implementation of a Bus Rapid Transit system or an expansion of the trolley System? Abstract: On July 23rd, 2010, SANDAG reconfirmed the Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project. It will extend the already existing LRT system from Old Town Transit Center to University City. The purpose of this research is to examine if the BRT system is a better alternative form of public transportation than the proposed LRT solution. By comparing the operation and capital costs, fare, ridership and economic development of the LRT and BRT system, I found that not only is the BRT system more economically feasible, it is also easier to implement and more flexible than the LRT system. Through these findings, it shows that the BRT system is indeed a better alternative method for this region than the trolley extension. Findings: BRT has been very successful in the two case studies of Brisbane, Australia and Los Angeles, California. Because of the similarities between these two cities and San Diego, BRT should also be a successful form of public transit in SD. San Diego County Percentage of House Holds without a vehicle • Conclusion: • BRT is flexible, easy to implement and more economically feasible to build than an LRT system. With BRT’s flexibility, services could be added and routes could be changed based on regional growth and demand. • Expansion of the trolley to UCSD will allow efficient transit from UCSD to downtown, however it fails to link to other parts of the San Diego region that desperately needs public transit, such as areas with a high percentage of households without a vehicle and areas with an excess amount of low income households. • Although for SANDAG’s proposed route expansion, the trolley is less expansive than the BRT system, what San Diego needs is an entire efficient system of public transit. If SANDAG had investigated the proposed region as a whole instead of the one single route, I believe the BRT system would be the better alternative method for this region. Average Population Income in San Diego County • References: • Maps – SANDAG, GIS • Charts – GAO • 03/08/2011 Mid-Coast Corridor Transit Project Trolley Extension Line :

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