Study: Bus Lanes Boost Speeds for Both Buses and Cars

A new study shows that repurposing car traffic lanes for transit can improve speed for all users. 

As Eric Murphy explains in State Smart Transportation Initiative, “Without dedicated bus lanes, riders get the worst of both worlds: their bus will be stuck in the same traffic as if they were driving, leading to longer waits and longer trips. That encourages them to drive instead, making congestion worse. In contrast, setting aside dedicated road space for buses lets them move faster, encouraging drivers to take the bus instead. Researchers say at least 40% is the sweet spot on busy routes.”  Prior research shows that bus lanes make roads safer even when buses aren’t there. 

The study found that with moderate traffic, more space for bikes can improve road performance. “Finally, the researchers say that in addition to dedicated bus lanes, allowing buses ‘limited, well-managed access to general-purpose lanes’ during periods of high demand can further reduce travel times and complement the benefits of bus-only lanes to system performance.”