As a new 2.7 mile dedicated bus lane opens in Austin, transportation planner Ralph Trapani of Parsons Transportation Group says to watch for 'empty-lane syndrome': the tendency of drivers to use open lanes illegally when in bad traffic.
"This occurs when drivers are caught in a traffic jam in one lane of traffic, and they don't see enough vehicles using the empty dedicated bus lane next to them, so in frustration they illegally jump into the bus lane.
Any driver found to be in the bus lanes illegally will face a $100 fine and three points against his or her license. The busway system even includes a pullout specifically designed for drivers to pull over when they see lights in their rear view mirrors.
'When the bus lanes get open, I suspect we'll see more of that,' Trapani said.
Drivers can use the bus lane as a right-hand turn lane in specific locations, but they have to wait until they reach dashed lane lines to move into the bus lane. They cannot use the bus lanes from where they start at the airport to make a right-hand turn to go up to Tiehack.
Trapani estimated there will be about 22 RFTA buses using the bus lane during the peak morning rush hour, and as transit service expands in the valley, that number could rise to 53 buses per hour by 2013."
Thanks to Reconnecting America
FULL STORY: ‘First rural busway’ in U.S. dedicated today

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.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Bend, Oregon Zoning Reforms Prioritize Small-Scale Housing
The city altered its zoning code to allow multi-family housing and eliminated parking mandates citywide.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

LA Denies Basic Services to Unhoused Residents
The city has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for trash pickup at encampment sites, and eliminated a program that provided mobile showers and toilets.
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.
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