Bus: Bus Stop Planning

Vertical Alignment

Primary Guidance Vertical Alignments shall be designed using the anticipated posted speed as the design speed Vertical Alignments shall be designed to meet the existing topography when practical and balance earthwork which will minimize excessive needs for fill material or hauling of extra cut material. Vertical Alignments on high speed facilities, such as Interstates and arterials should be designed with a maximum vertical grade between 3-7% based on the design speed, context, and terrain of the roadway Vertical Alignments for 3R projects should be evaluated to determine if there is crash or maintenance history to suggest the need for modification. If no crash or maintenance history suggests a condition warranting a change to the existing alignment, the existing alignment should remain

Discussion Bus stops should be designed to be distinct and easily identifiable to customers. At minimum, bus stops shall be designed to meet Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines. Bus Stop Facilities Passenger Boarding Area and Signage At a minimum, a bus stop must meet ADA Accessibility Guidelines and should have standard signing to identify the bus stop location and the routes served. Streetscape improvements such as curb ramps and improvement of longitudinal/cross slopes should be considered to improve access for people with disabilities in accordance with the ADA. Landing pads are provided at stops where the curb service point is separed from the sidewalk by a grass strip in order to accommodate service for customers using wheelchairs. Bus Shelters Bus shelters should be considered at locations with substantial boardings where space permits without impeding sidewalk use and where service quality would be improved. Basic shelter requirements would be modularity, accessibility, vandal resistance, low maintenance, and visual transparency for safety. Bus Pads Bus stops should have a concrete bus pad on roadway that is typically 90 ft. long and as wide as the bus lane. Roadway pavement or bus pads for the bus stop should be evaluated for suitability for the anticipated frequency of bus traffic and to meet requirements of the local jurisdictions . Reinforced concrete pavement slabs should be considered to prevent pavement deterioration due to bus loads and the effects of braking. In situations with low frequency bus service and in consultation with the local jurisdiction, the provision of a concrete pad may be waived. Bus Stops at Park and Ride or Transfer Facilities Where bus stops are a part of a park and ride or transfer facility, site access and on-site traffic for busses should be separated from automobile traffic to the greatest extent feasible. Bus stops located at park and ride or other transfer facilities should incorporate enhanced features that promote improvement in service quality and strengthen connections to other transportation modes. These enhanced features include: Enhanced Signage for wayfinding and transfer information Real Time Information Signage Bicycle Storage* Shelters or Canopy Ticket Vending Machines Enhanced Lighting/Ornamental Fencing for increased safety and security CCTV Trash Receptacles Operator Restrooms See Also Bridge: Horizontal and Vertical Alignment