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Bus Use of Shoulders (2006) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 5-19

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From page 5...
... Some of the bus shoulder applications are continuous lanes, whereas others are essentially queue jumpers. Table 1 summarizes current and planned BBS operations.
From page 6...
... NB 3 to 7 p.m. No information on maximum bus speed Washington Seattle Region SR-520 westbound corridor BBS 2.7 mi with several interchanges Buses and 3+ carpools use shoulder lane, no restrictions on speed or time of day Early 1970s Washington Seattle Region SR-522 arterial BBS corridor 2.2 mi with several signalized intersections Buses only; no restriction on speed or time of day WB opened in 1970 and EB in 1986 New Jersey near Mountainside Route 22 eastbound BBS corridor About 1 mi in length Buses only; no information on speed or time-of-day limits Appears to have been in operation some years New Jersey near Old Bridge Route 9 NB and SB arterial BBS About 4 mi in length Morning NB and evening SB, buses only, no information on speed restrictions Nearing implementation Georgia near Alpharetta GA 400 freeway BBS corridor 6 mi initially expanding to 12 mi When general traffic drops to 35 mph BBS buses allowed to run 15 mph faster Opened on Sep.
From page 7...
... . Although the segment is relatively short, the passenger and motorist perception of travel time savings is substantial, as buses move at 25 mph past traffic stopped in the general traffic lanes.
From page 8...
... Georgia, Atlanta Metro Area The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and Georgia DOT opened a BBS operation on September 12, 2005, for the GA-400 freeway between the North Springs Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) rail station and Mansell Road (Figure 7)
From page 9...
... SR-520 is basically a 60-mph posted-speed limit, four-lane freeway connecting Bellevue to Seattle. Buses and HOVs are allowed to operate at the posted speed while using the shoulder.
From page 10...
... Special speed restrictions are not posted for the shoulder lane operations, allowing buses to operate at the full posted speeds. Travel time and reliability performance has been good on both BBS projects.
From page 11...
... The Special Use Lane Study recommended further analysis of an Express Core System that would consist of buses using shoulders on the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike, SR-826 (Palmetto Expressway) , and SR-836 (Dolphin Expressway)
From page 12...
... The bus use of shoulders concept that is currently under study is envisioned to limit bus speeds to a maximum of 35 mph when using the shoulder. Only public buses traveling in 12 the peak direction of travel would be allowed to use the shoulders, and special training would be given to bus drivers.
From page 13...
... Caltrans led the preparation of the signage and striping plans and processing National Environmental Policy Act 1989 environmental clearance for the project, and the MPO and transit operator developed the bus operating plan and a training program for bus drivers. It is understood that in some places the travel lanes were restriped to provide 10-ft minimum shoulder widths.
From page 14...
... No special speed restrictions are defined and buses are allowed to operate up to the posted speed at 14 their discretion. The buses normally get on and off at most interchanges to make station stops and the BBS operation helps to minimize conflicts with traffic at the ramps.
From page 15...
... -- travel time savings reported as "minor." • Esconde Road to Onewa Road a.m. peak BBS (2000)
From page 16...
... -- travel time savings reported to be "moderate." Northwest Motorway BBS • Lincoln Road to Patiki Road a.m. peak BBS segments (1996)
From page 17...
... Because no physical barriers would be constructed between the shoulder lane and the right-most general traffic lane, buses could merge into general traffic lanes to bypass obstructions along the shoulder. Advisories to bus drivers could also address the maintenance staging and snow storage concerns.
From page 18...
... This study did not address the more controlled concept of allowing only buses to use the shoulder lanes. NCHRP Report 369 cautions against using the right shoulder, particularly for segments with high truck volumes.
From page 19...
... Their research is aimed specifically at making it easier and safer for Metro bus drivers to operate on narrow shoulder lanes. The research is addressing virtual mirror and virtual bumper systems, as well as the lane keeping assist concept.


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