Bus/BRT

MBTA Silver Line Bus Rapid Transit Value Engineering
Boston, MA

The MBTA constructed the Silver Line Bus Rapid Transit system. Phase I operates on the surface along Washington Street between Dudley Square and downtown Boston. Phase II operates between downtown Boston, the South Boston Waterfront, and Logan Airport via dedicated BRT tunnel and surface streets. A proposed Phase II provided an intermediate BRT link between the previously constructed segments. Revenue BRT service on Phase II is to begin in 2016. Several BRT routes would operate on the Silver Line, providing a variety of local and express services. Articulated BRT vehicles would be propelled by either CNG or diesel liquid fuel in addition to overhead catenary in the tunnel section.

SYSTRA provided value engineering. Topics included defining the function of each project element or system in the cost model, selecting the primary or basic functions, and determining the worth, or least cost, to provide the function. The VE team brainstormed for creative ideas to improve the project and evaluated their advantages and disadvantages. The team developed VE alternatives incorporating descriptions and initial and life cycle costs and potential costs savings. Alternatives developed included contra-flow running, revision of passenger platform placement in tunnel sections, changes to BRT vehicle specifications, consideration of passenger and vehicle throughput in key segments, modifications to BRT operating and management procedures, revision of catenary design specifications, and changes to the tunnel cross-section.

The VE report included project description and design concept, cost models and function analysis worksheets, creative ideas and their evaluation, descriptions of the original design and proposed alternatives, procedures to implement alternatives and potential contract savings in capital construction and life cycle costs.