2013 Session: 347

• An Overview of Shared Bicycle/Bus Lanes in the United States
  Abstract: As urban areas continue to grow in population and traffic congestion increases, more cities are looking for ways to improve multimodal mobility within constrained right-of-way. Where there are at least two through lanes for general traffic in each direction, one option is to designate the outside lanes for shared use by bicycles and buses only. A study was conducted for the Florida Department of Transportation to identify where shared bicycle/bus lanes are presently operating in U.S. cities, describe their design and operational characteristics, identify the benefits and barriers to implementing such facilities, and develop recommendations to consider their use on the Florida State Highway System. The review found that few states and municipalities have design standards for shared bicycle/bus lanes, and that primary issues for design and operation include lane width, operating speed, passing procedures, conflict with right-turning vehicles, and enforcement.
  Authors: Hendricks, Sara Jane; Hillsman, Edward; Koos, Mary Anne; Fiebe, JoAnne
  Authors: Hendricks, Sara Jane; Hillsman, Edward; Koos, Mary Anne; Fiebe, JoAnne
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Public Transportation
  Session: 347
  Paper Number: 13-1217
• Evaluation of Innovative Bicycle Facilities in Washington, D.C.: Pennsylvania Avenue Median Lanes and 15th Street Cycle Track
  Abstract: Two innovative bicycle facilities were installed in Washington, DC during 2010 by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT): buffered center median bicycle lanes on Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest and a two-way cycle track on 15th Street Northwest. Both facilities include dedicated road space with buffers between bicyclists and motor vehicles, signal control, and signs and pavement markings. The facilities were designed to provide increased safety, comfort, and convenience for cyclists. This paper presents the results of a comprehensive study that evaluated the facilities to understand how well they work for cyclists, motorists, and pedestrians in terms of safety, level of service (LOS), behavior, and attitude. The evaluation found that bicycle LOS improved and that bicycle volumes on those corridors nearly quadrupled, well above the rate of city-wide bicycle use. Motor vehicle LOS was largely unaffected. Signal progression was mixed for bicyclists, with contraflow travel on the one-way portion of 15th Street and traveling against the dominant travel direction on Pennsylvania Avenue showing the worst travel time performance. While bicycle crashes increased on both facilities, the crash rate remained similar on 15th Street; Pennsylvania Avenue saw a higher crash rate. In surveys of all travelers on the corridor (bicyclist, motorist, pedestrian) and nearby residents, the perception of the lanes is generally positive for all users and the lanes are seen as a positive addition to the community.
  Authors: Goodno, Mike; McNeil, Nathan Winslow; Parks, Jamie; Trainor, Stephanie Dock
  Authors: Goodno, Mike; McNeil, Nathan Winslow; Parks, Jamie; Trainor, Stephanie Dock
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Public Transportation
  Session: 347
  Paper Number: 13-0519
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Transit Impact Fee: Enabling Statutes and Equity Concerns
  Abstract: This paper reviews four transit impact fee programs in use across the USA to examine the robustness of state and local level enabling statutes, and the strategies used to minimize the fee’s horizontal and vertical inequities. The paper finds that although impact fees are primarily used to fund capital expenses nation-wide, three of the four case study jurisdictions use the fee for funding capital expenses in addition to operating, maintenance and administrative expenses. Furthermore, clear language concerning the eligible uses should help provide robust legal protection if the fee is challenged in court. Finally, while the “nexus” and “rough proportionality” requirements ensure that the fee creates minimal horizontal inequities, no such legal requirements exist regarding the fee’s vertical equity impacts. This lack of legal requirement is reflected in the uneven use of vertical inequity mitigation strategies adopted by the case study jurisdictions.
  Authors: Mathur, Shishir; Smith, Adam Lee
  Authors: Mathur, Shishir; Smith, Adam Lee
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Public Transportation
  Session: 347
  Paper Number: 13-0997
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• An Overview of Shared Bicycle/Bus Lanes in the United States
  Authors: Hendricks, Sara
  Authors: Hendricks, Sara
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Public Transportation
  Session: 347
  Paper Number: 13-1217
• Evaluation of Innovative Bicycle Facilities in Washington, D.C.: Pennsylvania Avenue Median Lanes and 15th Street Cycle Track
  Authors: Trainor, Stephanie
  Authors: Trainor, Stephanie
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation; Poster
  Subject: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Public Transportation
  Session: 347
  Paper Number: 13-0519