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Pace Development Guidelines |
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Pace Development Guidelines |
E. BUS TURNAROUNDS
Bus turnarounds are roadway facilities that expedite a bus' return to the service route. These facilities can be used at the termini of routes to turn transit vehicles or they can be incorporated into a development's design to allow transit service to operate onto the site. Turnarounds can improve schedule adherence and service reliability since a continuous route is available for the transit vehicle. (These roadway facilities also provide effective, off-street waiting and service areas for transit users). Site considerations and passenger requirements will determine the location of the passenger waiting area. Examples of bus turnarounds that will accommodate 40-foot buses and meet driver and passenger needs are shown in Figure IV-4.
Bus turnarounds should be designed so the bus can be turned in a counter-clockwise direction to improve the drivers' visual capabilities. Additionally, the design should allow adequate space for a bus to pass a standing transit vehicle. A 30-foot roadway width facilitates service in the event of a mechanical breakdown and permits passing at terminals used by buses from several routes.
The "jug handle" bus turnaround design can be used at appropriate mid-block bus terminal locations to turn a transit vehicle. Proper signage or traffic signals along the roadway and at the turnaround may be needed for traffic control purposes and to expedite the return of the transit vehicle to its route.
The "cul de sac" and "loop" designs are acceptable for developments that do not have internal roadway networks to return a bus efficiently to an arterial roadway. Note, however, that transit operations are most efficient when provided on through streets such as the roadway design in Chapter VI. Therefore, "cul de sac" and "loop" turnarounds are preferred only at the end of bus routes in appropriate locations.
Revised: November, 1999.