Exploring the Current Status of BRT Application in Transportation:

A Case Study of Changzhou City

Shuocheng Fan

School of Design, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Shanxi, China

Keywords: BRT, Transportation, Changzhou.

Abstract: Rapid urbanisation and motorisation in China have led to serious traffic congestion problems, and efficient

public transport systems are urgently needed to solve this problem. Bus rapid transit (BRT) systems have

emerged as a viable and economical solution to urban transportation challenges. This study employs a case

study methodology to explore the inception and evolution of the BRT system in Changzhou City, China. It

examines key aspects such as the development history, operational efficiency, environmental impacts, and

public perception of the BRT system in the city. The findings indicate that the BRT system has effectively

alleviated traffic congestion, enhanced public transport efficiency, and fostered environmental sustainability

by utilizing clean energy vehicles. Furthermore, the study highlights the synergy between urban planning and

BRT development, underscoring its potential contributions to economic growth. This research offers valuable

insights and innovative strategies for advancing BRT systems in urban settings.

1 INTRODUCTION

As urbanization and industrialization accelerate,

major cities in China are increasingly grappling with

severe traffic congestion. Changzhou, a key city in

Jiangsu Province, is no exception and is encountering

mounting traffic pressures. To address these

challenges and enhance the efficiency and appeal of

urban public transport, Changzhou has implemented

a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. This initiative

aims to transform the existing transportation

landscape, thereby improving the quality of life and

travel standards for its residents.

To address the escalating issue of traffic

congestion, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system has

emerged as a solution aimed at enhancing the

efficiency and appeal of urban public transportation.

The BRT system can be described as a flexible,

rubber-tyred rapid transit mode that integrates stations,

vehicles, services, operating modes, and information

technology into a cohesive and recognizable

framework (Levinson, 2003). Positioned between

traditional buses and rail systems, BRT offers

numerous advantages, including lower operational

costs, superior service quality, high efficiency, and

ease of implementation. It employs intelligent bus

https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8721-1941

management systems and is synchronized with the

broader traffic infrastructure, enabling conventional

buses to attain service levels comparable to rail transit.

Given the functionalities akin to those of light rail

or metro systems, BRT is often regarded as more

reliable, convenient, and faster than standard bus

services. A well-configured BRT network delivers

rapid, comfortable, and cost-effective urban transport

solutions (Wright, 2007). With appropriate features,

BRT can circumvent typical delays experienced by

regular bus services, such as traffic congestion and

lengthy boarding processes. Furthermore, the

investment and operational expenses associated with

BRT are significantly lower than those required for

rail transportation, rendering it an economically

advantageous option. As a result, BRT systems are

widely used in several cities around the world.

Changzhou City, for example, on November 28,

Changzhou Bus officially opened the first BRT smart

platform - BRT1 Liaohe Road Changjiang Road

Station, BRT can use information technology to

support the construction of credit transport, which is

conducive to further promote the deepening of

Changzhou bus reforms and improve quality and

efficiency. Compared with the traditional BRT station,

the BRT intelligent station installed an intelligent

Fan, S.

Exploring the Current Status of BRT Application in Transportation: A Case Study of Changzhou City.

DOI: 10.5220/0013332800004558

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Modern Logistics and Supply Chain Management (MLSCM 2024), pages 397-402

ISBN: 978-989-758-738-2

397

ticket system, an intelligent self-service coin

exchange machine, and a station without staff,

passengers at the intelligent gate complete the self-

service card, code or coin payment, and you can enter

the station waiting for the bus. Changzhou City, since

the introduction of the BRT system, after years of

development, has built a more complete BRT network.

These routes not only cover the major roads and

traffic hubs in the city but also connect a number of

important urban nodes, such as administrative centres,

tourist attractions, leisure and entertainment venues,

major schools and hospitals, etc., which greatly

facilitates the travel of the public. However, with the

wide application of the BRT system, some problems

have been exposed during its operation, such as the

environment of in-vehicle facilities needs to be

improved, and overcrowding caused by insufficient

number of trips during peak hours.

Therefore, it is of great practical significance to

conduct an in-depth study of the Changzhou BRT

system. This study aims to provide further scientific

basis and reasonable suggestions for the Changzhou

BRT system by comprehensively analysing the

operation status and problems of the system.

2 BACKGROUND OF BRT

The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system originated with

the launch of the Rede Integrada de Transporte (RIT)

in Curitiba, Brazil, in 1974. This system was the first

of its kind globally, effectively alleviating traffic

congestion and enhancing the efficiency of public

transportation in the city. Since its inception, BRT has

emerged as a modern public transport solution,

positioned between traditional buses and rapid transit

systems. Its widespread adoption around the world

can be attributed to several advantages, including a

relatively short construction timeline, low operating

costs, and enhanced safety features, all of which

contribute to faster travel for residents.

The rapid urbanization in China is accompanied

by a significant rise in the number of motor vehicles,

leading to increasingly severe traffic congestion. The

existing conventional bus system struggles to meet

the mobility needs of urban residents. In response, the

government has implemented various policies aimed

at enhancing the development of Bus Rapid Transit

(BRT) systems. For instance, in 2004, the Ministry of

Construction issued guidelines emphasizing the

prioritization of urban public transport development,

highlighting the numerous advantages of high-

capacity BRT systems and encouraging cities with

appropriate conditions to actively pursue BRT

implementation. Since the late 1990s, China has been

making strides in establishing BRT systems, and in

1999, Kunming built the first bus-only lane in China,

which means that China's BRT system was formally

established (Yang, 2017). Since then, with the

continuous progress of technology and the maturity of

planning concepts, BRT has begun its rapid

development in China. The following is the

development of BRT in several important cities in

China. In Beijing, the first BRT line was opened in

2005, which used a fixed-route closed system and

officially opened the mode of the BRT operation

system in China. Hangzhou followed in 2006,

becoming the second city in the country to open a

BRT line, providing citizens with a faster and more

efficient way to travel. Guangzhou also opened a BRT

in 2010 and has achieved a number of world firsts,

making it an internationally recognised model for

BRT systems. Guangzhou BRT's unique mode of

operation, which includes "30 flexible routes + 1 ferry

line", has effectively alleviated the problem of urban

public transport congestion and won a number of

international awards. As of January 2011, about 49

new cities are building BRT systems, 16 cities are

expanding BRT corridors, and 31 cities are in the

preliminary planning stage (Hidalgo, 2011). As of

today, more than 30 cities nationwide have BRT

systems in place, with a vehicle fleet of up to about

8,800 vehicles. BRT systems in these cities not only

reduce urban traffic congestion but also enhance the

overall attractiveness of public transport and improve

operational efficiency.

The advancement of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

policies, coupled with ongoing scientific and

technological improvements, suggests a promising

future for the implementation of BRT systems in an

increasing number of cities. To effectively address the

diverse travel needs of urban residents, BRT systems

will continue to innovate and enhance their service

quality. This commitment aims to strengthen the role

of BRT within the public transportation framework,

ultimately providing residents with a more efficient

means of travel.

3 BRT SYSTEMS FOR SOLVING

URBAN TRANSPORT

PROBLEMS

BRT systems are an evolution of bus priority

measures (e.g., designated bus lanes and bus-only

lanes), which have been proposed and, in some cases,

implemented around the world as early as 1937

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(Levinson, 2003). BRT effectively solves many of the

problems of urban mobility through a series of

innovative designs and advanced technologies. The

following are the main ways in which BRT solves

traffic problems. Buses in a BRT system have their

own dedicated lanes, avoiding the problem of sharing

lanes with other motor vehicles and significantly

increasing the speed at which buses can operate. This

design significantly reduces the time that buses in the

BRT system are delayed due to traffic congestion and

greatly improves the overall transport efficiency of

the bus system. Buses in the BRT system have

absolute priority when passing through traffic lights,

and through the Intelligent Traffic Signal Control

System, buses can be allowed to pass through

intersections ahead of time, which further reduces the

waiting time and significantly improves operational

efficiency. In terms of the environment, most of the

buses in the BRT system use clean energy, such as

natural gas or electric vehicles, which greatly reduces

tailpipe emissions and plays a key role in improving

the city's air quality. The BRT system's buses also use

low-noise technology, which effectively reduces

noise generation and safeguards the quality of life of

neighbouring residents. The capital cost of a BRT

system is one-tenth to one-third of a comparable rail

system (Wright, 2007). In summary, the BRT system

provides an effective solution to urban transport

problems by improving transport efficiency, reducing

environmental pollution and sustainable development

and other advantages. With the continuous progress of

urbanisation, the BRT system will play its role in

more cities. Next, this paper mainly takes Changzhou

as an example to analyse the advantages and

challenges of BRT in the implementation stage.

4 CASE STUDIES

4.1 Introduction of Changzhou BRT

System

The origin of the Changzhou BRT system can be

traced back to 2008 when Changzhou City began

preliminary planning for the introduction of a BRT

system in order to alleviate the city's traffic pressure

and improve the efficiency of bus services. As the first

real BRT line in Jiangsu Province, Changzhou BRT

Line 1 was officially opened on New Year's Day 2008,

marking Changzhou's entry into a new era of BRT

development. The introduction of the BRT system not

only improved the overall quality of Changzhou's

public transport but also made Changzhou a model of

BRT mode, which has led to a demonstration role in

the country. The Changzhou BRT system is a major

project in Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China,

aimed at solving traffic problems and providing

residents with a convenient mode of transport. The

following is an analysis of the Changzhou BRT

system: In terms of traffic, as the economy of

Changzhou grows and the population increases, the

demand for transport is rising very rapidly. Under

these circumstances, the traditional bus system has

struggled to carry this burden and also suffers from

congestion, slow speed and poor service quality. The

Changzhou Municipal Government recognised the

need for an efficient public transport solution and

introduced the BRT system to Changzhou. In terms of

policy, the Changzhou Municipal Government has

formulated a transport development plan that

promotes the establishment of the BRT system, points

the way to sustainable urban development, and

improves air quality and travelling efficiency for

residents.

4.2 Construction and Development of

BRT in Changzhou

Changzhou's BRT system focuses on the passenger

experience, implementing uniformly low fares and

free transfers, as well as offering discounts for IC card

and student card holders and free rides for seniors.

The system uses new environmentally friendly buses

to reduce noise and exhaust emissions, enhancing the

city's image and marking China's first attempt at a

new energy BRT with success. More recently, the

BRT has introduced solar-powered buses, reflecting

the government's focus on environmental protection.

The design and construction of the BRT incorporates

modern technology, adopting a streamlined middle

platform design that echoes Changzhou North Station

and Wujin Bus Centre Station and is equipped with an

intelligent traffic system. The BRT vehicles use fully

imported chassis and engines and apply high-end

integration technology, and their number of assigned

vehicles is leading in China. The intelligent traffic

system is connected to the city's traffic command

centre, which effectively improves the traffic

command and bus vehicle scheduling capability.

Changzhou BRT system has a strong conveying

capacity, the vehicle speed exceeds that of ordinary

buses, and the benefits of resource integration are

remarkable. BRT special lanes are set up through road

reconstruction, effectively enhancing the speed of

vehicle operation. Changzhou has realised bus

integration, and the management of BRT and regular

buses are combined to ensure the efficient operation

of the bus line network. The BRT system covers

Changzhou's main downtown area and five

Exploring the Current Status of BRT Application in Transportation: A Case Study of Changzhou City

399

administrative districts, forming a "cross-shaped"

BRT network that connects important areas such as

commercial districts, hospitals, schools and parks,

and provides convenience for citizens' travelling. The

construction of BRT has a positive impact on the city's

economic development, improving transport

efficiency, promoting land development and

utilisation along the routes, and increasing the

development of the city. Surveys show that the BRT

system has won public recognition and praise, but

also faces some controversies, such as in-vehicle

amenities and congestion during peak hours. Overall,

the Changzhou BRT system shows good results and

provides valuable experience for the development of

BRT projects in other cities. In 2023, Changzhou Bus

opened its first BRT smart platform, which is an

important initiative in response to the new

infrastructure layout of smart transport. The platform

is installed with an intelligent ticketing system,

intelligent self-service coin redemption machines,

and electronic stops to provide real-time vehicle

arrival information, and passengers can enter and wait

for the bus through self-service methods

(Transportation Bureau, 2023)

4.3 Characteristics and Current Status

of Changzhou's BRT System

Changzhou's BRT system has a number of significant

characteristics. Firstly, it is equipped with dedicated

bus lanes, which can effectively avoid crossing with

other modes of transport, thus improving the speed

and punctuality of bus operation. Secondly, BRT

stations are usually located in areas with high

pedestrian flow and are equipped with convenient

transfer facilities, making it easier for passengers to

transfer to other modes of transport. Automatic

guidance systems using video, magnetic or physical

devices will continue to evolve to ensure optimal

stopping at stations. In some cases, priority lanes will

be intermittent; using advanced signalling and

communication technologies, lanes will be reserved

only a few metres in front of and behind buses, while

at other times they may be used for general traffic

(Viegas, 2004). In addition, the BRT system in

Changzhou City has adopted an intelligent express

ticketing system, which allows passengers to

purchase tickets by means of mobile payment and e-

tickets, which greatly saves time in purchasing tickets.

Changzhou's BRT system is developing very

rapidly today, and the following is the current status

of development. In terms of route planning,

Changzhou City has taken into account the different

divisions of each area in the route planning of the BRT

system, such as the main residential areas,

commercial areas and transport hubs, which have

different traffic flows and different types of vehicles,

so different road planning and station hubs have been

applied to make the public transport services cover a

wider range of areas for the convenience of the public.

In terms of vehicle configuration, the municipal

government has put in place modern, high-efficiency

bus vehicles. The facilities in such vehicles are much

better than those in ordinary buses, and they are

usually equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi and

other facilities, which greatly improves the travelling

experience of passengers. In terms of operation

management, Changzhou BRT has introduced an

intelligent traffic management system to monitor and

dispatch bus operations in real-time, which greatly

improves operation efficiency (Xiao, 2012).

4.4 Analysis of Operation Effect

Since the opening of Changzhou BRT in 2008, it has

become an important part of the city's public transport

and has had a significant impact on Changzhou's

traffic conditions and urban development. Next, this

paper analyses the operation effect of Changzhou

BRT from the aspects of passenger satisfaction,

passenger flow, operation efficiency and fare policy:

According to the survey conducted by the Urban

Survey Team of Changzhou Municipal Bureau of

Statistics, the overall satisfaction level of passengers

with BRT operation service is 85.5%, which indicates

that most of the passengers are still satisfied with the

BRT system. Changzhou BRT has served nearly 1

billion passengers, with the average daily passenger

flow accounting for 1/3 of the total daily passenger

flow of the whole public transport in Changzhou,

indicating that BRT has become one of the most

important means of travelling for the residents.

Changzhou BRT operates at a fast speed, with an

average speed of about 25.64 kilometres/hour, which

effectively improves the operation efficiency of buses.

BRT fare is RMB 2 for the whole year, free for

transfer, 60% discount for IC card, 30% discount for

student card, and free for senior card, which attracts a

large number of passengers to use BRT service. BRT

vehicles use new environmentally friendly vehicles

with low energy consumption and low emissions,

which help reduce emissions from urban traffic and

play a positive role in improving the quality of the

urban environment.

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5 CHALLENGES AND

PROSPECTS

Since the opening of the Changzhou BRT system on

New Year's Day 2008, it has become a landmark

system in the city of Changzhou, which has been very

effective in relieving traffic congestion and improving

the level of public transport services to a large extent

(Hidalgo, 2010). In recent years, the Changzhou BRT

In recent years, the Changzhou BRT system has faced

many challenges, such as the problem of

transformation. However, opportunities are often

accompanied by challenges, and the Changzhou BRT

system also has a lot of room for development.

At present, there are still many problems in the

BRT system. The first problem is that the line

coverage is insufficient, although it is already at the

beginning of the scale, there are still some areas in the

traffic blind spot. The second problem is the

convenience of transfer to be improved, there are

many stations can be clearly found in the transfer

facilities are not perfect, may affect the passenger

travelling experience. The third problem is in the

operation and management, how to deal with the peak

passenger flow and emergencies is still a problem that

needs to be solved. Changzhou BRT system also

needs to continue to improve the quality of service,

continue to promote the BRT system construction and

continue to expand the coverage of the network,

especially to strengthen the urban and rural areas and

emerging development areas of the bus facilities.

While achieving the above requirements, it is also

necessary to continuously optimise the route layout so

as to adapt to the course of urban development and

changes in the travel needs of the public. With the

development of intelligent transport, the integration

of intelligent transport systems is also a potential for

the development of BRT systems, which can improve

operational efficiency and passenger experience. In

addition, the BRT system also needs to address the

connectivity issues with other modes of transport,

optimise the station layout and interchange facilities,

enhance the interchange convenience between

different modes of transport, and build a seamless

integrated transport system. In terms of outlook, the

Changzhou BRT system is transforming to

digitalisation and intelligence.2023 On 28th

November, Changzhou Bus officially opened the first

BRT intelligent platform - BRT1 Liaohe Road

Changjiang Road Station, which is an important

initiative of Changzhou Bus to respond to the layout

of the new infrastructure for intelligent transportation.

The opening of the smart platform not only improves

the travelling efficiency and convenient experience of

passengers but also enhances the image of the city.

Intelligent platform p equipped with an intelligent

ticketing system and intelligent self-service coin

exchange machine, fully automated, passengers can

self-service to complete the card, code or coin

payment and other activities. In addition, the platform

inside and outside also laid a number of high-

definition cameras, and the installation of remote

shouting amplification equipment, remote disposal of

emergencies will be more convenient. During the year,

19 new BRT smart stations will be added, which will

further accelerate the digital transformation of

Changzhou buses and guarantee the sustainable

development of the bus system.

To sum up, the Changzhou BRT system is facing

the challenge of transformation and upgrading, but at

the same time, it is also actively following the

development trend of intelligent transport, and

through technological innovation and service

optimisation, it is constantly improving the service

capability of the system and the travelling experience

of the citizens (Li, 2009).

6 CONCLUSION

This paper examines the development history,

characteristics, and operational effectiveness of the

system in Changzhou City, China, and discusses its

challenges and future prospects.

Since its opening in 2008, the Changzhou BRT

system has become an indispensable part of the public

transport system and has greatly improved the level of

public transport services. The BRT system has

improved the passenger experience and the city's

image through humanised design, technological

construction and efficient operation. Its unique

dedicated lanes and priority signal control effectively

ease traffic congestion and improve the running speed

of vehicles.BRT vehicles use clean energy, reducing

environmental pollution and improving urban air

quality. Surveys have found that passengers are highly

satisfied with the BRT service, with average daily

patronage accounting for 1/3 of total bus patronage.

BRT buses have a favourable fare policy, which

attracts a large number of passengers to use them and

promotes the popularity of the bus service. However,

despite the remarkable results, the BRT system still

faces challenges such as insufficient route coverage

and transfer convenience to be improved.

Changzhou BRT system will continue to promote

digital and intelligent transformation, strive to

introduce new high-tech technologies and

continuously improve service quality to enhance

Exploring the Current Status of BRT Application in Transportation: A Case Study of Changzhou City

401

passenger experience. The Changzhou government

would do well to expand the coverage of the network,

optimise the route layout, and strengthen the bus

facilities in the urban-rural areas and emerging

development zones. At the same time, it should find

ways to solve the problem of connecting BRT buses

with other modes of transport and build a seamless

integrated transport system. With the development of

intelligent transport, the BRT system has high hopes

to enhance its service capacity through technological

innovation and service optimisation to provide more

convenience to residents.

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