Dedicated Bus Lanes Beating Congestion in Portland

Jonathan Maus shares news of travel data on the changes in traffic since Portland, Oregon unveiled its "first significant dedicated bus/bike lane" on SW Madison six months ago.

"Despite being only four blocks long, TriMet data shows the project has had significant positive impacts on bus speeds," according to Maus. "According to data released this week, lines 2, 6, 10 and 14 have seen a decrease in delay during the evening rush by 68%, 26%, 60%, and 76% respectively."

Another dedicated bus lane, completed more recently, has also produced trip-shortening results, according to Maus: "On NW Everett between 5th Avenue and the Steel Bridge, TriMet’s Line 4 had seen a 14% average speed decrease in the last 10 years. A bus lane project completed back in August has resulted in a significant decrease in delays — between 25% and 34% — for five of the six lines that use the street. On TriMet’s Line 8, the new lane cut evening commute travel time by more than a minute and a half."