Description
Bus on shoulder allows transit buses to use designated shoulders of highways or arterials during periods of congestion, enabling them to bypass traffic and maintain schedule reliability. This cost-effective strategy improves transit speed and performance without requiring major roadway expansions.
Implementation Details
- Collaborate with Marin Transit and Caltrans to conduct a feasibility study for bus on shoulder implementation.
- Evaluate potential corridors that would be best served by bus on shoulder.
Mitigation Potential
Improving transit service reliability and speed will subsequently improve the convenience of transit and encourage people to rely less on private vehicles. The impact on VMT will vary on the methods of improvement. While there is no direct quantification method for this strategy as it is relatively new, linked transit strategies may be used if this strategy is paired with new transit service. Quantification for increasing transit service frequency may be used if this strategy allows for reduced headways and therefore increased service.
Linked Strategies
Equity Considerations
Transit improvements should prioritize areas with high concentrations of transit-dependent populations, including low-income residents, seniors, and essential workers. Late-night and weekend service is critical for shift workers. Equity goals should include minimizing headways in underserved areas and ensuring accessible transit for riders with disabilities through ADA-compliant infrastructure and real-time info tools.
Funding Sources
Requires a fair amount of funding for service expansion and repaving the shoulder in some cases. Funding sources include the Solutions for Congested Corridors Program (California Transportation Commission), the Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Grants; Low or No Emissions Bus Grants (Federal Transit Administration), the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (Caltrans), and the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (Caltrans).
Implemented in TAM Area
Current TDM Implementation
TAM is currently progressing on the implementation of a 10-mile southbound bus on shoulder transit lane along US-101 from Novato to San Rafael. This project is funded by an FTA grant following a feasibility study that TAM conducted in 2021.
TDM Benefit Locations
The in-progress Novato to San Rafael bus on shoulder project will provide precedent for future opportunities to implement this TDM measure, potentially in the northbound direction or along other segments of US-101.