Source: EMBARQ
Users encouraged to submit feedback to improve data-sharing platform
About 90 people tuned into a webinar on April 10 introducing the recently launched BRTdata.org, the most comprehensive online database of bus rapid transit (BRT) systems worldwide.
The new site was created by our Centre of Excellence and EMBARQ, in collaboration with the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Asociación Latinoamericana de Sistemas Integrados de Transporte y BRT (SIBRT).
The 80-minute virtual forum, hosted by EMBARQ, included brief presentations from Aileen Carrigan, EMBARQ’s senior associate; Juan Carlos Munoz, the ALC-BRT CoE director; Dario Hidalgo, EMBARQ’s director of research and practice; and Tali Trigg, energy analyst at the IEA.
Carrigan gave a brief introduction on how to use the website. (Watch a similar screencast tutorial on YouTube).
Munoz explained the formation of the data-sharing partnership, including an overview of the ALC-BRT Observatory, a data collection initiative that seeks to define key indicators for performance benchmark analysis among BRT systems and to compare them with rail-based technologies. He encouraged researchers, academics, transit agencies and other experts to contribute additional data. Users may report any data inconsistencies or other comments by emailing info [at] brtdata [dot] org.
Hidalgo gave an overview of mega-trends in the BRT industry. He highlighted exponential growth in the number of cities with BRT and bus corridors, a trend that originally grew out of demand for affordable public transportation in Latin America.
Finally, Trigg showed how BRT is key to meeting global energy targets. He explained that BRT offers significant fuel savings and carbon emissions reductions. In June, the IEA plans to release its “Energy Technology Perspectives,” calling for the total network length of BRT systems to double by 2020.
View the webinar Powerpoint presentation.
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