Twelve Designs Reimagine the Boston Bus Stop

ITDP recently partnered with the Barr Foundation and BostonBRT to challenge the architecture and design community to think beyond the traditional bus stop. What if Boston built Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations that were enjoyable places to be―full of art, with real-time travel information, and safe from the elements? These BRT stations, along with other elements of Gold Standard BRT, can transform the transit experience.

We are excited to share 12 unique designs that were submitted as part of the competition. They showcase a range of visions for how BRT stations can become an integral part of the mobility and street experience in Boston. The images offer a wide range of ideas for how state-of-the-art BRT stations might look, delivering a world-class transit experience that includes public art, solar panels, and green landscaping. Imagine how one day these BRT stations might be the new nexus of a neighborhood and a core gathering place for public life.

Imagine how one day these BRT stations might be the new nexus of a neighborhood and a core gathering place for public life.

Submissions came from local, national, and international student architects and design firms. They demonstrate covered stations and walkways for protection from weather elements, and integration with the streetscape, walking, cycling, and bus lane alignment. In addition, they showcase amenities such as bike parking, maps and wayfinding, digital marquees with announcement and real time service information, seating, and public space components.

Images of the designs, as well as summaries of the designers’ visions can be viewed and voted on through the BostonBRT Facebook page. The designs are now open to a public vote. Click through the images, add comments about what elements you would want implemented, and “Like” your favorite designs. The entry with the most “Likes” will win the public vote and be one step closer to the grand prize.   

View Boston BRT’s Facebook page

Public voting will be open through May 14 and will be combined with an assessment by a panel of community judges to determine the final winner. The judging panel consists of eight transportation, design, and public health experts, including:

• Darnell Williams, Urban League of Massachusetts
  
• Jason Hellendrung, Architect of Cleveland BRT Stations
• Jennifer Effron, Washington Gateway Main Streets
• Mary Skelton Roberts, Barr Foundation
• Monica Tibbits-Nutt, Fiscal and Management Control Board of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
• Nora Moreno Cargie, Tufts Health Plan Foundation
• Shin-pei Tsay, Gehl Institute
• Vineet Gupta, Boston Transportation Department

Competition winners will receive cash prizes ($4,000 for first, $2,000 for second, and $1,000 for third place) and a travel package to ITDP’s international Mobilize Summit in Santiago, Chile, taking place June 28–30, 2017.

The winners will be announced on May 23 at StreetTalk: Cities on the Move, a reception and panel discussion hosted by the LivableStreets Alliance. Renderings of the station design competition winners will also be exhibited at the StreetTalk reception.

Vote on Facebook for your favorite design

Register to attend StreetTalk: Cities on the Move

View the full station designs

BostonBRT is a research and community engagement initiative spearheaded by the Barr Foundation to explore the potential of Gold Standard BRT to meet Greater Boston’s mobility needs. Following a research phase, BostonBRT released a report in 2015 identifying five corridors where Gold Standard BRT is technically feasible and where there is already sufficient rider demand. It is now coordinating with municipalities, community groups, and neighborhood leaders to educate the public about the benefits and trade-offs of Gold Standard BRT and the opportunities to incorporate Gold Standard BRT in their transportation planning efforts.

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