Factors Contributing to Bus Lane Obstruction a nd Usage in NYC: Does Design Matter?

摘要

This study quantitatively assesses both the design and environmental factors impacting theobstruction and usage of bus lanes in New York City (NYC), and compares the effectiveness ofdifferent bus lane designs. Specifically, it addresses the question of whether recent movementsaway from curbside lane configurations toward offset lane configurations and from whitemarkedlanes toward red-painted lanes are justified by their impacts on bus lane obstruction andusage. In order to test this, 61 bus lane segments around NYC were sampled, capturing diversityacross levels of both design and environmental variables. Because design variables were found tointeract with environmental variables in unpredictable ways, regression statistics were used totest the significance of the isolated effects of these variables on obstruction and usage. Highpedestrian volume, taxi presence, and curbside lane configuration were all found to significantlyincrease the rate of bus lane obstruction, with markings color showing no significant effect. Highvehicular volume, low rates of obstruction, local bus type, offset lane configuration, and redmarkings color were all found to significantly increase the rate of bus lane usage. Though cityagencies cannot completely control the environmental factors affecting obstruction and usage,the quantitative evidence presented here that offset lane configurations and red markingspositively affect usage, and to some extent obstruction, should help justify current designphilosophies and guide future design choices.