BRT and LRT in Ottawa: Playing Well Together

This paper describes how Ottawa, Canada is well known for its successful bus-based rapid transit (BRT) system. However, as the City continues to improve and expand these BRT facilities, it has also moved forward with the strategic expansion of light rail transit (LRT) facilities and services. Together these comprehensive integrated networks of rapid transit facilities will provide this growing city with a more sustainable transportation system to meet future travel needs. The extension of the existing LRT line will require joint operation of existing BRT services with the proposed LRT service through Ottawa’s Downtown. This paper reviews the analysis and development of a unique alternative that permits shared operation of BRT, LRT, and general traffic on Ottawa’s Downtown one-way couplet, Albert and Slater Streets. A number of alternative arrangements were developed and evaluated using a variety of criteria and included the application of a computer simulation model; VISSIM. The simulation illustrates how the different modes, often with competing interests, can be accommodated within the same corridor.