Transit Street Design Guide

Small Transit Shelter

The provision of shelters should be prioritized with the goal of improving comfort for the most passengers. In addition to stops with a moderate number of boardings, shelters should be provided at transfer points, at stops in weather-exposed locations or without nearby potential sheltering locations, and at stops with a relatively high use by senior and child passengers.

At low-volume stops where service is less frequent or only basic coverage service is provided, basic shelters can provide passengers with comfortable seating and vital information. Provision of comfortable shelter and seating can significantly improve perception of wait time and rider satisfaction.

COMFORT

Ensure the waiting passengers can be seen from outside by using glass or open design for the back wall. Include lighting in the shelter, or locate shelters in a well-lit area.

Social safety is a primary consideration at shelters. Use transparent materials to enhance visibility of waiting passengers.

INFORMATION & WAYFINDING

Pole and bus stop signs must indicate critical information including the stop name, route number, stop number, direction or destination, and system logo.

Shelter should include stop name and further system information.

Bus stop signs should be given their own exclusive pole, as opposed to being affixed to existing sign poles.

CAPACITY

Small shelters are used for stops where a relatively small number of people wait at a given time, including stops with high turnover and frequent arriving transit.

Use stop ridership data and observed stop usage conditions, as well as factors such as climate and nearby destinations, to determine level of coverage and capacity needed.

PLACEMENT

Shelters can be oriented open to curb (typical); with its back towards the curb; at the building-side of the sidewalk; or integrated into a building facade.

An 8- to 12-foot wide pedestrian through-zone on the sidewalk, behind or in front of the shelter, is preferred in commercial and high-use settings. Maintain a minimum 5-foot sidewalk clear zone, which may be wider than the ADA standard (PROWAG §R302) in some cases.

A 4-foot wide clear path must be provided for access to any elements such as shelters or informational displays, and any interactive elements such as push buttons.

While the minimum unobstructed boarding area must be 5 feet long parallel to the curb, 8–12 feet of length is preferred to allow for variation in door location in operation. Account for different door locations across the transit fleet.

Trees and other green elements can be integrated into the stop area in line with shelters and outside of clear paths and accessible landing areas, providing shade and a more comfortable waiting environment.

Passengers waiting in shelters must be able to easily see arriving transit vehicles and must be readily visible to operators if transit vehicles stop only on demand.

Placement of the shelter and supporting posts or walls must not conflict with accessible travel paths, boarding areas, and transit vehicle door zones.

Shelters with seating must provide a minimum 2.5- by 4-foot clear space for wheelchair users located entirely within the shelter space. Clear zone must not overlap with the seating area, consisting of seat and a seating zone extending 1.5 feet in front of the seat (ADAAG §R308, 404).

Accessible boarding areas and clear paths may be fully or partially under the shelter canopy, as long as shelter supports or other stop elements do not obstruct them.

Shelters are typically 4 feet deep, though they may be as narrow as 2 feet in constrained conditions.
Narrow shelters typically have only enough space for a covered standing/leaning area and information displays.

All dimensions shown are minimums.