Lane Design Proposal
The 82nd Avenue Transit Project will make riding the bus faster, safer and more comfortable. Beyond the current project design, we’re exploring additional tools to keep buses moving around traffic. These additional tools have costs that could exceed project funding. Below is some preliminary data about how these tools would affect trips for people driving and riding the bus. As we continue to study these tools, we want to hear from you.
Current Project Design
The current project design includes features projected to speed up trips for people on the bus by up to 20%. These features include:
- Consolidation of existing stops to create higher-quality stations near safe pedestrian crossings, with shelters, lighting, real-time bus arrival information and curb ramps
- Transit signal priority (TSP), where buses and signals communicate to prioritize faster trips for people riding the bus
- Higher curbs and longer buses with all-door boarding to make boarding easier and faster
Additional Tools
Even with these improvements, it may be harder for buses to stay on schedule as traffic congestion grows in the future. The project is exploring additional tools to keep buses moving. These tools have costs that could exceed project funding.
Business access and transit lanes (BAT lanes)
- The existing curbside travel lane would be converted into a BAT lane, reserved for buses and right-turning vehicles.
- Car traffic would stay in the inner lanes, and business entrances would be accessible from the outer lanes, as they are today.
- In most locations, the BAT lane would be adjacent to the sidewalk, which puts pedestrians near less traffic.
- BAT lanes can make trips faster and more reliable for people riding the bus and support a more comfortable pedestrian environment.
- BAT lanes can make trips slower for people driving and cause some traffic to reroute onto other streets.
- An example of a BAT lane exists on northbound 82nd Avenue between SE Monterey Avenue and King Road.
Two scenarios are being studied for new BAT lanes in both directions between NE Lombard and SE Clatsop streets: One with some BAT lanes and one with more BAT lanes. These scenarios are described in greater detail below.
Business access and transit lanes (BAT lanes)
Intersection widening
The project team is studying the concept of widening 82nd Avenue near three congested intersections, to make space for BAT lanes and maintain existing lanes for people driving. This would make a longer distance for pedestrians crossing 82nd Avenue.
How do these tools compare with the current transit project design?
To evaluate the potential effects of these tools, we are using a “sample trip” during the projected afternoon rush hours in 2029, the year the project is scheduled to open. The sample trip covers 7 miles of 82nd Avenue between NE Lombard and SE Clatsop streets.
With the current project design, people riding the bus would complete the sample trip 8–9 minutes faster. Travel times for people driving cars would not be affected.
Option: Some BAT Lanes
The “Some BAT lanes” scenario converts an existing lane into a BAT lane for a total of about 3 miles in each direction. Compared to the current project design, this scenario would have the following outcomes for the sample trip:
- Improved bus travel time by 1–2 minutes
- Some improvements to transit reliability
- Improved safety for pedestrians along the BAT lane
- Slower travel time for cars by 1–2 minutes
- Increased traffic diversion: About 15% of drivers during weekday afternoon peak travel times would choose another route (mostly I-205 or other main roads). Safety improvements could be needed on neighborhood streets impacted by more traffic.
- Cost: lowest cost of the additional tools being studied
Option: More BAT Lanes
The “More BAT lanes” scenario converts an existing lane into a BAT lane for about 7 miles in each direction. Compared to the current project design, this scenario would have the following outcomes for the sample trip:
- Improved bus travel time by 3–4 minutes
- More improvements to transit reliability
- Improved safety for pedestrians along BAT lane
- Slower travel time for autos by 3–4 minutes
- Increased traffic diversion: 20–25% of drivers during weekday afternoon peak travel times would choose another route (mostly I-205 or other main roads). Safety improvements could be needed on neighborhood streets impacted by more traffic.
- Cost: At least twice as much as the “Some BAT lanes” scenario
Option: Intersection Widening
The intersection widening concept would widen 82nd Avenue for a few blocks near SE Powell Boulevard, Holgate Boulevard and Foster Road, to make space for BAT lanes while maintaining existing lanes. Compared to the current project design, this scenario would have the following outcomes for the sample trip:
- Improved bus travel time by about 1 minute
- Pedestrians would cross up to 7 lanes on 82nd Avenue at widened intersections
- Faster travel time for autos by about 15 seconds
- Substantial property acquisition: The project would require the purchase of three entire properties, and some businesses would have to relocate.
- Cost: more than four times as much as the “Some BAT lanes” scenario
反馈
We want your input! Your feedback will help inform decisions about where these additional tools could be included in the project. We will continue to consult with 82nd Avenue communities about the design over the next two years.
