BUS USE OF HIGHWAYS: PLANNING AND DESIGN GUIDELINES

Abstract

Over 200 bus priority treatments in the U.S. and abroad were reviewed in the preparation of these guidelines for efficient bus utilization of urban highway facilities. This report which complements an intensive report on the state of the art of bus use of highways, presents the principal findings of 10 study tasks and contains significant bus design parameters, concept and criteria, planning and design guidelines for principal bus priority measures, and measures of effectiveness associated with bus highway facilities. The dimensions of bus use are reviewed, the types of priority treatments are categorized (relating to freeways, arterials and terminals), characteristics of successful treatments are described, and the policy perspective is discussed. The selection and application of appropriate types of treatment of specific urban situations calls for realistic assessment of demands, costs and impact. Factors implicit in the selection process are listed. Factors which contribute to achieving bus priority objectives are discussed, and the general sequence of bus priority treatments are set forth. The principals in formulating warrants and the measurement of effectiveness and impacts are discussed. Freeway, arterial, and terminal planning guidelines are detailed. The overall research program of this study included 10 basic studies segregated into four principal phases: orientation; review analysis of current treatments, experiments, and proposals; concept and guideline formulation; and final report preparation. This report recognizes that bus priority facilities become important when (1) economic or environmental conditions make it infeasible to provide additional highway capacity, and (2) there is an expressed desire to envourage public transport use.

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