The U.S. has only 5 "true" BRT systems — and LA's Orange Line is one of them — and that are all rated "bronze," according to a rating system developed by the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy. IDTP assigns systems points based on whether they have characteristics such as high service frequency, off-board fare collection, segregated right of way, the treatment at intersections, whether there's secure bicycle parking, good pedestrian access, etc.

The best-performing systems are in Bogota, Colombia and Guangzhou, China, at 93 and 89 points respectively. The highest-performing US route is Cleveland's Health Line, which scored 63.

ITDP's ratings system is downloadable here.