Title: THE CASES FOR AND AGAINST BUS-CARPOOL LANES IN PENNSYLVANIA
Abstract: This study presents a summary of the analysis and evaluation of exclusive bus-carpool lanes on several Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, expressways and arterials. The study was initiated by a November 1973, promulgatation from the Environmental Protection Agency regarding final Transportation Control Strategies for Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The paper presents a summary of the analysis of the traffic operational and safety problems associated with exclusive lane operations. The major difficulties with implementation, as well as advantages and disadvantages of the bus-carpool lanes are identified and discussed. Major conclusions of the analyses and recommendations for each corridor analyzed are presented also. Some of the major difficulties and disadvantages of bus-carpool lanes identified include: the reduction of overall capacity of the expressways; removal of business parking within abutting local municipalities; decreased travel speeds for nonexclusive lane operation resulting in increased air polluton, accidents, etc.; large diversion of nonexclusive vehicles to alternate arterial routes causing increased congestion; hazardous weaving operations; difficulty in policy enforcement of exclusive lane; large capital expenditures for minimal or no benefit; undesirable diversion from parallel rail routes if carpool service is improved; and increased potential for accidents. Some of the major advantages of exclusive bus-carpool lanes identified include: high volume occupancy vehicles are given priority and are able to expedite travel; auto trips are eliminated and people are diverted to buses and carpools with a resulting reduction in the number of vehicles in the CBD; provision of a direct connection to the CBD from various suburbs; travel times for exclusive vehicles may be reduced in certain corridors; and reduced fuel consumption due to the reduction in vehicles traveling into the CBD. /Author/
Publication Year: 1976
Publication Date: 1976-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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