bnr-baltimore-link
  1. We are WSP
  2. What We Do
  3. Shaping Communities Nationwide
  4. BaltimoreLink

BaltimoreLink

BaltimoreLink is a redesigned bus network created to improve transportation service quality, strengthen connections between the Maryland Transit Administration’s (MTA’s) bus and rail routes, improve travel times and reduce waiting times at bus stops.

 

Location

  • Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Client

  • Maryland Transit Administration (MTA)

Project Status

  • Ongoing

Overnight Success

On June 18, 2017, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) unveiled BaltimoreLink, a project that completely redesigns the bus network around the existing rail infrastructure in the Baltimore metro region.

The project was planned, designed, and constructed within a 20-month time frame, and changed over one night. It is a retransformation of the Baltimore bus system and network.

WSP USA provided MTA with program management support, facilities design, signage design and deployment, operations in-reach, public outreach, safety and security analysis, technology support and operations field support. WSP rapidly allocated resources, remained flexible with the iterative planning and design process, and collaborated closely with all stakeholders to help the MTA achieve its goals and meet its deadline.

One of the most visible changes was a complete rebranding of the Maryland transit system, including an update to the color, logos, and overall design of bus wraps, signage, maps, print media, and the MTA website.

MTA pulled off the unthinkable. They planned, designed, and constructed virtually all elements of BaltimoreLink within a 20-month time frame; and all bus routes, stops and signs were changed over one single night.
John Gasparine Customer  Relationship Manager, WSP USA
This is the most comprehensive overhaul of a bus transit system our nation has seen in the last 50 years.
John Gasparine Customer Relationship Manager, WSP USA

Replacing an Outdated Network

The BaltimoreLink project began in October 2015 as a $135 million initiative to fix Baltimore’s antiquated and broken transit system. BaltimoreLink creates a more efficient and reliable bus network by spreading out the routes within the downtown core and creating a grid of high-speed, high-frequency bus routes.

The new bus network is based on a comprehensive study of current origin/destination data and customer preferences and built around 12 new high-frequency routes, 53 local/feeder routes, and an expanded commuter bus program. BaltimoreLink was also designed to improve transportation service quality, strengthen connections between MTA’s bus and rail routes, improve travel times and reduce waiting times at bus stops.

To achieve these goals, BaltimoreLink added dedicated bus lanes, transit signal priority equipment, enhanced bus stops, new signage and wayfinding, and bike and car sharing opportunities for last-mile connections.

BaltimoreLink will set the stage for similar transit service improvements across the nation. Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Rochester are among cities considering similar overhauls to their bus systems.

Although BaltimoreLink is in operation, WSP continues to work with MTA to observe real-world travel patterns and make any additional adjustments to the system and schedule where needed. BaltimoreLink was designed so that it can adapt to changes in commuter priorities to stay as relevant to commuters 50 years from now as it does today.

 

Related Projects