The Positive Impacts of Using Bus Rapid Transit (brt) in Lebanon

In one of the readings discussed in class, Patsy Healey has emphasized the importance of contingent factors in the success of the transfer of ideas. To illustrate her point in the context of Lebanon one would think of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system between Tabarja and Beirut that is currently being conducted.

This idea originated from Brazil, and was transferred to many places around the world. I think it will bring great value to Lebanon, since it will reduce the overall time travelled by Lebanese citizens, and it will increase their safety and well-being.To begin with, the BRT system is designed in a way that makes passenger boarding and ascending times quicker; it also reduces the overall travel time. It has a single boarding floor, so there isn’t any bus stairs to walk up or down. Moreover, the tickets for boarding will be paid prior to boarding; fares will be collected at the station entrance. Furthermore, the BRT is designed with multiple, wide boarding door, which facilitates the in-out movements for a large group of people. In addition, the BRT will have its own separate lane away from the mixed traffics on the highways.

Therefore, it raises its commercial speed. Furthermore, BRT buses running on high-frequencies reduces the amount of time the passenger needs to wait. Moreover, if we shift from public buses competing to pick-up passengers at curbside bus stops to BRTs moving on separate lanes this will reduce traffic congestion on the highways, leading to an overall improvement in the travelling times. In addition, this efficient travel option allows the passengers to either reach work faster and work more hours, or enjoy more leisure time. In addition to reducing the overall travel time, high-the BRT improves the travel time reliability. BRT buses running at high frequencies on separate lanes will have more consistent run times. Passengers will be able predict their travel times, therefore making it easier for them to arrive on time at their destination. This reliefs them from a lot of stress due on-time arrivals.

This will increase the user’s confidence in the BRT system. Secondly, the BRT system offers valuable public health benefits to society. It reduces the amount of road injuries and deaths, it reduces the exposure to harmful air pollutants, and it increases the physical activity of users. The increase of death rates on the roads is due to inadequate urban planning. It’s either there isn’t any sidewalks, the roads are expanded at the expense of sidewalks, or there isn’t a proper sidewalk arrangement. Also, to improve road-crossings, we must reduce the amount of vehicles present on the roads by shifting passengers to BRT buses. The BRT also reduces the interaction with other vehicles by separating the bus lane from the mixed traffic on the highways. So basically, if we implement the BRT the number of crashes decreases.

This yields a significant economic benefit by reducing the costs linked with traffic accidents, such as fatal or injury crashes, and property damage. Also, since the BRT is a single boarding level we no longer need lifts or ramps for people on wheelchairs, or that have other physical disabilities. This makes boarding for them much faster and safer. Not only does BRT reduce the death rate, but it also reduces personal exposure to air pollution. Private cars, taxis, motorcars, inter-city coaches, and road freight all play a significant role in polluting the environment .They are the main perpetrator of the current levels of smog in Beirut, which lead to respiratory problems such asthma.

The severity of the pollution problem arising from the transportation sector in Lebanon points to the urgency of switching from private cars to the BRT. Another thing that makes the BRT good for Lebanon is the fact that it makes BRT users walk more thanthose who rely on private cars, taxis, public buses for transportation because the BRT stations are placed further apart compared to regular bus stops. This results to a higher rate of physical activity for BRT users, which in turn increases their health. As people become more physically active, their prematurity death rates decreases since all the diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and high blood pressure that come from physical inactivity. In conclusion, the car-ownership rate in Lebanon is very high, this is because we have unreliable public transportation systems.

There also exists a socio-cultural stigma accompanied with bus riding and the perception of cars as social status symbols. However, if we implement the BRT in Lebanon it will offer a higher quality of service than traditional urban transportation because it will reduce the travelling time, increase service reliability, and improve the user’s experience. Rapid urbanization requires urban transport solutions that can be applied quickly on a large scale. The BRT meets with this criteria. I truly believe that the BRT is an effective solution that will improve the Lebanese people’s quality of life.