An analysis of the Shirley Highway Express-Bus-on-Freeway Demonstration Project

Abstract

One of the most critical urban problems is the ever-increasing demand for transportation facilities. An alternative for reducing the degree of peak-hour congestion is to increase the passenger movement capability of a facility by providing exclusive bus lanes.

The Shirley Highway Express-Bus-on-Freeway Demonstration Project was implemented to test the hypothesis that the provision of rapid and convenient bus service over an exclusive lane would attract significant numbers of automobile passengers. Such a diversion would improve the passenqer movement and relieve the congestion of the facility, thus, resulting in an improved level of service for all travelers.

This study was an evaluation of the project, and the main objectives were:

1. Determine the effects of the busway on bus patronage and automobile travel.

2. Analyze the sources of bus patrons and determine the reduction in automobiles.

3. Use the automobile reduction in comparing the level of service for the existing facility to the freeway without the exclusive busway~

In approaching these objectives, the study identified and evaluated such parameters as travel times, passenger and vehicular volumes, commuter profiles, and occupancy rates. Speed-volume-capacity relationships were used to compare the quality of service on the existing facility to a hypothetical roadway without an operational busway.

The analysis revealed a large increase in bus patronage and a reduction in automobiles and congestion on the Shirley Highway. The existing facility was providing acceptable service, while the demand on the hypothetical roadway exceeded the capacity.