RFTA BUS RAPID TRANSIT

Client: Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA)
Location: Roaring Fork Valley
General Contractor: Gould Construction
Project Status: Completed Fall 2014

The design for RFTA’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, named VelociRFTA, resulted from the successful collaboration between Baker Engineering, ZGroup Architects, and Connect One Design. The system, the only rural BRT system of its kind in the country, offers a significant advance in transit facilities for area residents, with innovative improvements to attract new ridership and improve the experience for existing riders. Connect One Design’s role, in conjunction with Baker’s civil engineers, was to design inviting and durable hardscape and softscape improvements associated with the new BRT stations.

Though the stops are distributed throughout the 40 mile corridor, they are tied together through the concept of geologic strata reflected in the materials incorporated at each stop. The concept of geologic strata not only provides a ‘story’ that ties the valley together but also reinforces the repetition of distinctive hardscape and landscape elements that enhance the station aesthetics and the VelociRFTA brand. This design interpretation ranges from whimsical dinosaur egg seats and footprints to the sophisticated use of banding and color in the shelter and platform. A native and low-water use plant palette celebrates the landscapes seen up and down the Roaring Fork Valley. All the elements of the stations are designed to gracefully withstand heavy use and a restricted maintenance program.