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Subsections:

Transit Lanes
Transit lanes are a portion of the street designated for the exclusive use of transit vehicles. This section focuses on the selection, design, and operational or management requirements of specific transit lane varieties.

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Offset Transit Lane
Also known as “floating” or “parking-adjacent” lanes, offset transit lanes place transit vehicles in the right-most moving lane, but are offset from the curb by street parking, curb extensions, or raised cycle tracks.

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Curbside Transit Lane
Curbside transit lanes can be implemented with varying levels of separation, increasing service capacity and allowing riders to board directly from the curb.

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Rail Lane, Side-Running
Streetcar and light rail lines can be configured in the right-most travel lane, either curbside or offset by parking. Whether in dedicated or mixed-traffic lanes, rail paths must be kept clear from all but the briefest obstructions.

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Center Transit Lane
Center transit lanes can play a key role in creating high-quality transit service, especially where traffic congestion may significantly affect reliability. While traditionally found on streetcar streets, center transit lanes can be used with buses as well.

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Peak-Only Bus Lane
A peak-only bus lane can operate as a dedicated bus lane at peak travel periods and provide general curbside uses at other times. Wider lanes can enable an effective bicycle lane off-peak adjacent to parking.

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Shared Bus-Bike Lane
Buses and bicycles often compete for the same space near the curb. Although not a high-comfort bike facility, in appropriate conditions, bus-bike lanes are an option on streets where dedicated bus and bicycle facilities cannot be provided.

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Contraflow Transit Lane
Contraflow lanes are typically applied to transit routes to create strategic, efficient connections, but may also be applied to longer corridors in some types of street networks.

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Transitways
Transitways are running ways dedicated to the exclusive use of transit vehicles, protected from incursion by physical separation. Transitways often involve a higher level of investment than transit lanes, but provide the highest level of transit reliability, speed, and comfort.

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Center Transitway
Center transitways are separated from other vehicle traffic by vertical separation elements, and prioritizing transit movements at intersections and providing a high level of capacity and reliability for bus or rail service.

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Side Transitway
Side transitways maintain the enhanced capacity and flow of fully separated transitways while enabling pedestrians to board directly from the sidewalk. They may also create enhanced boarding areas and buffer active users from vehicle traffic.

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Lane Elements
The physical and operational characteristics of transit vehicles create special demands for designing transit lanes. The use of color, selection of pavement and marking material, and means of separation contribute to the success of transitways.

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Pavement Materials
Though often dependent upon cost, durability, and contextual considerations, pavement material selection impacts the productivity and accessibility of all modes over the life cycle of each resurfacing.

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Green Transitway
Green transitways transform the character of a transit street, providing large planted areas along and between tracks or bus guideways. They represent one of the best examples of the coordinated pursuit of mode shift, water sustainability, and quality of life

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Pavement Markings & Color
Red or terra cotta colored pavement highlights the prominence of the transit system, while at the same time visually enforcing dedicated transit space. Implementation of “red carpet” treatments supports on-time performance and reliability.

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Separation Elements
Vertical elements increase separation and prevent incursions on transitways. The level of separation provided depends upon available width, traffic conditions, and local laws or traffic conventions.

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Signs & Signals
Sign, signals and markings standards vary by state and may have changed since the time of publication, and should be checked during the design process.

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Lane Design Controls
At the outset of any redesign project, the project team sets forth key criteria governing the street design. These “design control” parameters critically shape decision making.

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Design Vehicles
While transit goals and street design strategies should not solely cater to pre-determined transit vehicle types, transit vehicle selection directly affects street design decisions and constraints. Use transit design vehicles to accommodate comfortable and safe design speed.

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Vehicle Widths & Buffers
Street users and vehicles occupy different amounts of space depending on their size and speed. Lane design should accommodate transit vehicles at a speed that is safe within the overall street context, supporting consistent and reliable operations.

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Design Speed
An active approach to design speed uses speed as an output affected by geometric design rather than an input alone. Setting a target speed for transit and general motorized traffic can proactively create a safe walking and riding environment.

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References