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Boston Area Bus Rapid Transit Pilots

Improving the commuter experience

  • 12K

    Daily Bus Riders

  • Cambridge, Arlington, Watertown, and Everett, Massachusetts

    Cambridge, Arlington, Watertown, and Everett, Massachusetts

We’re discovering and implementing ways to shorten commuting time, make buses more reliable, and make the rider experience easier

The goal of the Boston Area Bus Rapid Transit (Boston BRT) initiative is to improve mobility in communities across the city. Our job? Lead technical advisor. We’ve helped develop and design the pilot programs and collected and analyzed data.

In Arlington, Watertown, and Cambridge, our Urban Places mobility team worked with existing roadway redesign projects to integrate elements that will speed buses, such as queue jump lanes, transit signal priority, and dedicated bus lanes. We’ve also led the design of the evaluation process, which includes both objective data such as dwell times, running times, and reliability as well as subjective data like how people on bikes perceive the bus-related improvements or how transit users view the service before and after changes.

In Everett, the team worked with the City to install temporary-level boarding platforms that speed the boarding process for foot traffic as well as those using wheelchairs, strollers, or other mobility devices. Plus, our “street team” support will survey, record, and analyze how these changes impact users.

We’ve also helped communities connect with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) as necessary, provided feedback on the project’s robust marketing plan, and helped participating communities coordinate among one another.

At a Glance

Offices
Award
Women in Transportation, Boston’s Innovative Transportation Solutions Award.
Meet Our Team

Liza Cohen, Senior Associate

I believe that good transportation planning gives people options, not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Ralph DeNisco, Senior Principal

I put my training and experience to work to show people how smart transportation planning creates exciting places that work for everyone.

Jason Schrieber, Senior Principal

Mobility is not about moving vehicles. It’s about giving all people better access to their daily needs in a smart, equitable and efficient manner. Whether by car, bus, bike, scooter or on foot, multi-modal travel is our passion.

Liza  Cohen

Senior Associate

Ralph DeNisco

Senior Principal

Jason  Schrieber

Senior Principal

We're better together

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    Partner with us today to change how tomorrow looks. You’re exactly what’s needed to help us make it happen in your community.

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  • Design your career

    Work with passionate people who are experts in their field. Our teams love what they do and are driven by how their work makes an impact on the communities they serve.

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