Research of Viable Attributes and Potential to Integrate Curbside Intercity Buses
Date
2017-01-08
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Transportation Research Board
Abstract
Outpacing air and rail transportation, the curbside intercity bus industry now represents the fastest growing mode of intercity travel in the United States. The paper highlights the industry’s unresolved transportation policy issues associated with its unprecedented growth—particularly within the Northeast Corridor (NEC). Follow-up on several topics of research was suggested, including the need to plan for and invest in intermodal transportation facilities that serve all methods of transportation and facilitate interconnections among all modes. Incorporating multiple modes of transportation—including curbside intercity buses—into transportation facility master plans can further leverage public and private investment/resources to better meet the needs of all transportation users. While barriers to intermodalism exist, paper findings suggest that development and investment in intermodal transportation facilities—which serve as a hub for all modes of transportation, including curbside intercity buses—will promote a more integrated and sustainable transportation system. Through a case study approach, viable attributes of successful intermodal facilities in the NEC were identified. A matrix was developed to provide a planning framework and consider viable attributes of successful intermodal facilities. This planning framework approach is applied to Washington, D.C.’s Union Station, which is identified as a model intermodal transportation facility.
Description
Submitted for consideration for presentation at the 96th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, January 8-12, 2017, paper revised from original submittal.
Keywords
Transportation, Curbside intercity bus industry, Intermodalism, Northeast Corridor