The bus lanes can be installed quickly, requiring minimal time and resources and offering a good return on investment, says a new report.
Laura Bliss reports on a new UCLA report that looks at "tactical transit lanes" in cities across the country. TTLs are dedicated bus lanes that are cheap and easy to install, often only requiring some paint or cones to separate the lane from other traffic.
"Based on interviews and surveys of dozens of city planners, [UCLA researchers] found that TTLs are often much shorter than BRT—less than a mile long, in many cases—and targeted to dense commuter corridors rather than being spread across entire regions," writes Bliss.
Some cities have put the lanes in as temporary, pilot projects to gauge their effectiveness and to garner public support. Outcome measures have shown decreased bus travel times, increased reliability, and improved traffic safety.
Enforcement is essential to the success of TTLs and cities need to get federal approval when necessary, notes Bliss. "But according to the report, even if they’re short, cheap, and a little DIY, dedicated lanes can also do a lot to smooth commutes, and brighten opinions about buses as they do."
FULL STORY: To Build a Better Bus Lane, Just Paint It
Boston Bus Lanes Improving Commute Times and Reliability
Data from the Boston area shows that dedicated bus lanes are helping to get buses moving.
Van Ness BRT Speeds Travel by 36%, Earns Silver Designation
The San Francisco rapid bus line is making transit on the corridor more reliable and reducing traffic crashes and congestion.
Bus Lanes as Traffic Calming
Dedicated bus lanes on busy arterials can act as traffic calming mechanisms to reduce speeding.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
_24_-_Fifth_Avenue_Bus_Lane.jpg){kind=link}
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie