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Pace Development Guidelines |
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Pace Development Guidelines |
D. BUS BERTHS
Bus berths are recessed bus stop areas designed to accommodate more than one transit vehicle. Similar in concept to bus turnouts, bus berths provide convenient, off-street service points and bus staging areas that do not interfere with traffic movement. The bus berth should be constructed with concrete landing pads to prevent the buckling of pavement. To avoid confusion to motorists and bus drivers, bus bays should be clearly defined with pavement markings and identification signs. Where necessary for operating efficiency/ or to meet highway standards, bus berths should be barrier separated from the adjacent roadway. Barriers may be particularly important on high speed roadways.
Bus berths can be used in areas where transit routes intersect and bus waiting areas are appropriate. These transit facilities should be located at mid-block locations rather than intersections to avoid conflicts with turning vehicles and to take advantage of gaps in traffic produced by traffic signals. Bus berth designs also can be incorporated into transportation center, transfer facility and park-n-ride site plans for passenger loading and unloading as well as for bus layovers.
To allow buses to more effectively re-enter traffic, bus berths should be designed so that vehicle operators have clear rear-vision capabilities. Bus berth widths of 15 feet--with appropriate pavement markings and signage--are desired for more effective and proper vehicle maneuverability where no barrier separation exists. Typical dimensions for bus berths can be found in Figure IV-3. However, Pace will evaluate barrier separation needs on a case by case basis.
The bus berth dimensions described in Figure IV-3 are for 40-foot buses. Since many factors are involved in the design and location of these facilities, developers should consult Pace for assistance during the site plan development stage.
Revised: November, 1999.