'Hybrid' Bus Rapid Transit Design Preferred in Tacoma, Washington

A hybrid design (some protected lanes and some mixing with car traffic) is the preferred option for a planned bus rapid transit route on Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, Washington.

1 minute read

April 19, 2019, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell

via The Urbanist / Pierce Transit Median Bus Lane

"Pierce Transit is moving ahead with a hybrid design for 14 miles of bus rapid transit (BRT) on Pacific Avenue [in Tacoma, Washington], including 3.6 miles of center-running dedicated lanes," reports Doug Trumm.

The Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners recently approved the hybrid plan, highlighting the pedestrian safety benefits of the options in discussions leading uo to the vote.

Still, the hybrid also makes room for cars by not using bus-only lanes along some of the route. It might have been even more of a car-friendly design, according to Trumm. "The other remaining option was business-access transit (BAT) lanes–in which buses share the right lane with turning motorists and scofflaws–throughout. Pierce Transit’s technical advisory committee recommended the all-BAT option. However, generally, transit advocates and urbanists preferred the hybrid option, in part for the transit oriented development potential it would unlock."

The $155 million project is expected to open in 2022.

FULL STORY: Tacoma’s Pacific Avenue Hybrid Bus Rapid Transit Advances

Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in The Urbanist

Infrastructure Transportation Washington Tacoma Pierce Transit Bus Rapid Transit Transit Planning View More

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