The Indian city of Ahmedabad’s Janmarg Bus Rapid Transit System has won the US Institute for Transportation and Development’s 2010 Sustainable Transport Award.

The award was given to India’s first full bus rapid transit (BRT) system, which has received recognition for its innovation in reducing carbon emissions as well as in significantly improving resident access.

Janmarg uses innovative central median stations pulled away from the junctions with bus stations featuring a passive solar design, which is an inexpensive way to keep stations naturally cool.

The system is used by nearly 18,000 passengers daily.

Executive director of the Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities Sophie Punte said BRT systems can positively impact air quality if car and motorbike drivers start taking trips by bus.

“This is particularly important in Asian cities, where air pollution levels are often far above guidelines of the World Health Organization,” Punte said.