Decarbonising passenger transport: brt options, infrastructure, and collaborative priorities

Abstract

As the impacts of climate change become more visible, the call for solid action on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions has become stronger. Transportation has a key role in the South African decarbonisation context. In this study we explored the role of electrified bus rapid transit systems (BRT) in decarbonisation programming. By focusing on urban passenger transport, we evaluated the suitability of two BRT electrification options of decarbonising BRT using meta-analysis and road mapping. Additionally, by adopting a multi-disciplinary ecosystem view in the analysis, the constraints to implementation and potential role of collaboration were evaluated. Findings show that a hybrid configuration that combines battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles should considered in deep decarbonisation to fulfil national and private sector stakeholder requirements. In the solution design phase, a multi-disciplinary ecosystem improves understanding of stakeholder requirements. Further, collaboration of key stakeholders lowers execution risk by improved risk allocation. The findings and conclusions of this study contribute to improving the application of fact driven policy and the development of robust transport decarbonisation programmes. However, further studies incorporating lifecycle cost-benefit analyses are required for higher fidelity decarbonisation programme designs.