Bus Rapid Transit in China: A Comparison of Design Features with International Systems

This research paper benchmarks Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems in China against international standards using 30 of 38 BRT indicators. Based on data from 59 cities across 21 countries, the paper identifies 11 design areas where Chinese systems underperform and provides recommendations to help China reach its national goal of 5,000 kilometers of BRT by 2020.

• The study used analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare mean Chinese and international BRT systems, utilizing 99 data points from 59 cities (including 18 in China) and 21 countries to assess 30 of the 38 indicators established in the BRT Standard.
• Chinese BRT systems score significantly lower than international counterparts across 11 specific design indicators. Recommended improvements include simplifying intersections with traffic signal priority, planning multicorridor networks to reduce transfers, promoting multimodal integration (such as biking), adding express and limited-stop services, creating fully dedicated bus lanes in high-demand segments, providing passing lanes at stations, optimizing station spacing, adopting electric buses, improving pedestrian access, and ensuring accessibility for passengers with special needs.
• China established a national target to implement 5,000 kilometers of BRT by 2020. According to the China Academy of Transportation Sciences, 2,991 kilometers had been implemented as of 2015, leaving a requirement to build over 2,000 kilometers in the following three years.
• In China, BRT is perceived as a second-class service compared to private vehicles and urban metros. The paper argues that improving design and performance to meet international standards is necessary to change this perception and establish BRT as a viable public transport mode.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Bus Rapid Transit in China: A Comparison of Design Features with International Systems. https://www.wri.org/research/bus-rapid-transit-china-comparison-design-features-international-systems

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Bus Rapid Transit in China: A Comparison of Design Features with International Systems. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/bus-rapid-transit-china-comparison-design-features-international-systems.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Bus Rapid Transit in China: A Comparison of Design Features with International Systems |url=https://www.wri.org/research/bus-rapid-transit-china-comparison-design-features-international-systems |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendbus, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Bus Rapid Transit in China: A Comparison of Design Features with International Systems}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/bus-rapid-transit-china-comparison-design-features-international-systems}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }