Median Bus Lane

Usage: Limited

A dedicated travel lane for buses designed to run in the middle of the street either along the curb of a median, such as on Woodhaven Boulevard in Queens, or the center of the street, such as on Edward L. Grant Highway in the Bronx.

Edward L Grant Highway and W 170th Street, Bronx
Gun Hill Road, Bronx

Benefits

  • Separates buses from curb conflicts, allows for median bus stops/bus boarding islands, and removes right-turn conflicts
  • Enhances bus speeds and reliability by keeping buses separate from mixed traffic congestion and reducing the need for buses to merge at bus stops
  • Provides means for emergency vehicles to bypass traffic

Considerations

  • May require removal of travel lane, parking lane, or the repurposing of channelized space 
  • Turn restrictions or dedicated turn signal phases may be required

Application

  • Consider on all streets with high bus volumes or bus ridership and sufficient roadway width
  • Avoid on streets where the roadway geometry prevents the safe operation of a bus lane in conjunction with other necessary uses of the roadway  
  • Median bus lanes are implemented on streets with a main line and service road design
  • Center-Running bus lanes are implemented on streets with chronic double-parking issues and on streets where boarding islands can be accommodated

Design

  • Review Pavement Markings
  • Typically 11 to 12 feet in width
  • Color Surface Treatment is preferred
  • Bus Boarding Islands are generally needed to accommodate boarding and alighting; accessible boarding areas must be included for bus passengers at Bus Stops
  • A median or center-running bus lane should be considered on two-way streets when sufficient right-of-way is available, and the operation of the bus lane (including pedestrian movements) can be safely managed
  • For median or center-running bus lane designs, left turns across the bus facility should either be prohibited or provided a protected signal phase
  • Automated enforcement can be utilized to issue bus lane violations, such as vehicles occupying bus lanes or double parking
↑