Transit Speed & Reliability

TRANSIT SPEED & RELIABILITY

2020 ANNUAL SPOT IMPROVEMENTS END OF YEAR REPORT

PUBLISHED JANUARY 2021 This page intentionally left blank.

II 2020 Annual Spot Improvements End of Year Report CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ��1

SPOT IMPROVEMENTS ��3

1. Westlake Avenue N & Harrison Street �� 4 2. 24th Avenue S & S Dearborn Street �� 5 3. Airport Way S & S Royal Brougham Way �� 6 4. Latona Avenue NE & NE 50th Street �� 7 5. NE 50th Street & 15th Avenue NE �� 8 6. NE 70th Street & 50th Avenue NE �� 9 7. Grandview Place E & E Garfield Street �� 10 8. SW Alaska Street & California Avenue SW �� 11 9. Interurban Avenue S & 52nd Avenue S �� 12 10. Union Street (4th Avenue - 7th Avenue) �� 13 11. 3rd Avenue & Columbia Street �� 15 12. 16th Avenue SW & SW Holden Street �� 16 13. N 45th Street (N Midvale Place - Stone Way N) �� 18 14. 3rd Avenue & Yesler Way �� 21 15. Westlake Avenue N & Mercer Street �� 23 16. 2nd Avenue Extension S & S Jackson Street �� 24 17. 8th Avenue & Seneca Street �� 24 18. Olive Way & Boren Avenue �� 24 19. 8th Avenue S & S Kenyon Street �� 24 20. Mercer Street & 1st Avenue N �� 24 21. Rainier Avenue S (S Kenny Street to S Frontenac Street) �� 24 22. 9th Avenue & Seneca Street �� 24 23. Carlyle Hall Rd N & Greenwood Ave N �� 24

2020 Annual Spot Improvements End of Year Report III SHORELINE SEATTLE TUKWILA 6 1. WESTLAKE AVENUE N & MAGNUSON GREEN HARRISON STREET PARK KING COUNTY 2. 24TH AVENUE S & S LAKE DEARBORN STREET 3. AIRPORT WAY S & S ROYAL 4 5 BROUGHAM WAY 13 DISCOVERY 4. LATONA AVENUE NE & NE PARK NE 45th St 50TH STREET 5. NE 50TH STREET & 15TH AVENUE NE 99 5 6. NE 70TH STREET & 50TH AVENUE NE 520 7. GRANDVIEW PLACE E & E GARFIELD STREET LAKE 7 8. SW ALASKA STREET & UNION CALIFORNIA AVENUE SW SHOREVIEW 23 5 PARK 9. INTERURBAN AVENUE S & 20 15 52ND AVENUE S ELLIOT 99 Elliot Ave S 1 10. UNION STREET (4TH AVENUE BAY - 7TH AVENUE) 18 11. 3RD AVENUE & COLUMBIA 22 LAKE STREET 10 17 Madison Ave WASHINGTON 12. 16TH AVENUE SW & SW HOLDEN STREET 11 14 16 13. N 45TH STREET (N MIDVALE SHORELINE PLACE - STONE WAY N) 2 14. 3RD AVENUE & YESLER WAY PUGET 3 15. WESTLAKE AVENUE N & SOUND MERCER STREET 90 16. 2ND AVENUE EXTENSION S & S JACKSON STREET 17. 8TH AVENUE & SENECA 5 STREET 5 99 18. OLIVE WAY & BOREN AVENUE JEFFERSON PARK 9

19. 8TH AVENUE S & S KENYON Beacon Ave S STREET 8 FOSTER GOLF LINKS 20. MERCER STREET & 1ST Fauntleroy Way SW 99 AVENUE N BLACK RIVER 21. RAINIER AVENUE S (S KENNY SEWARD RIPARIAN STREET TO S FRONTENAC PARK FOREST AND WETLAND STREET) 21 22. 9TH AVENUE & SENECA STREET 518 23. CARLYLE HALL ROAD N & 19 12 405 GREENWOOD AVENUE N LINCOLN PARK 99 SEATTLE TUKWILA IV 2020 Annual Spot Improvements End of Year Report Spot Improvement program 2020 INTRODUCTION expenditures: $377,000. This includes Metro staff time and reimbursed city This annual report describes the spot improvements that were implemented in 2020 through costs to develop conceptual designs, partnerships with local traffic agencies. Spot improvements are low-cost capital investments develop final designs (when needed), aimed at improving bottleneck conditions and operational issues that affect bus travel times construct these improvements, as well and reliability, which results in increased attraction to public transit as a travel mode of choice. as administer the spot improvement The complexity of spot improvements can range from easier projects, such as signal timing program as a whole. adjustments, to more-complicated projects requiring design and public outreach, such as new bus-only lanes. The 23 Spot improvement projects highlighted in this report benefited:

The Spot Improvements Program supports King County Metro Mobility Framework policy » 224,000 weekday riders recommendations to support investments to increase speed & reliability and to support improvements to increase safety. The spot improvement projects utilize a set of transit supportive » 125 bus routes toolboxes identified in theSpeed and Reliability Guidelines and Strategies report. Resulting in: In 2020, we worked with our south King County city partners to identify and approve a set of improvements to support the Renton, Kent, and Auburn Mobility Project (RKAAMP); delivery of » $357,000 in avoided additional these projects is anticipated in early 2021. We also began conceptual design for improvements to operating cost annually; support the North Link Connections Mobility Project (NorCon). operating dollars that would otherwise need to be spent to 2020 was a challenging year for delivering spot improvements due to the COVID-19 pandemic and maintaining schedule reliability. competition for limited city staff and financial resources. The Spot Improvement Program adapted » Improved bus operational safety by focusing on smaller and less complex projects that did not require significant city resources at 10 locations. to implement and batching together projects of similar type. We also initiated a hybrid delivery model where Metro Engineering Services, Construction Management, and on-call contractor can be used to supplement city resources. We plan to continue these adaptations into 2021. Spot improvements can range in complexity depending on the level of jurisdictional The success of each implementation was made possible with the support of cities and their coordination, public outreach, design willingness to make operational changes within their roadway infrastructures and traffic signal work, and funding sources needed. The systems to benefit transit riders. For additional information regarding this program, please contact complexity of the projects presented in Owen Kehoe at 206-477-5811/[email protected] or Logan James at 206-263-3631 / this report are rated on a 1-5 scale, a [email protected]. “1” being the least complex project, for example a signal timing adjustment, to “5” Owen Kehoe Spot Improvements Program Manager for the most complicated of the projects, Capital Planning – Speed and Reliability such as new bus-only lanes. Capital Division – King County Metro LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY

1 2 3 4 5

2020 Annual Spot Improvements End of Year Report 1 SPOT IMPROVEMENTS

2 2020 Annual Spot Improvements End of Year Report LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 24. WESTLAKE AVENUE N & HARRISON STREET 1 1 ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE Buses heading northbound on Westlake Queue Jump & Traffic Signals Avenue N experienced delay when trying to SDOT quickly resolved the detection issue merge back into traffic after serving a stop and put the queue jump back into service just south of the Harrison Street. An existing two days after being notified of the issue. queue jump signal previously allowed buses to bypass northbound queues and merge safely back into traffic, but the traffic detector QUEUE JUMP was malfunctioning, and the queue jump was SIGNAL not getting activated. REPAIRED

PROJECT

METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: C LINE, #40

HARRISON ST

PROJECT PARTNERS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SEATTLE Laura Wojcicki (SDOT) N WESTLAKE N AVE

TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS)

Northbound Delay 3 sec Reduced in the PM Peak 20 BUSES/HR 24,500 RIDERS

2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report 3 252 . 24TH AVENUE S & S DEARBORN STREET LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 2 ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE Eastbound buses turning right were Bus Operations & Parking experiencing difficulty making the turn due Metro worked with SDOT to restrict about two to parked cars southbound on the southwest (2) parking spots southbound on 24th Avenue corner of the intersection. S. Buses now have more space to safely make the eastbound right turn.

PROJECT S DEARBORN ST METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: #4

PROJECT PARTNERS NO PARKING ZONE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Jonathan Dong, Kelly Hall (SDOT) SEATTLE

24tH AVE S 24tH AVE N

TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAYSAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS)

Restricting parking along 24th Avenue S improves safety for buses and passengers riding along the turn and improves the speed and reliability of buses making the turn. 4 BUSES/HR 150 RIDERS

4 2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 26. AIRPORT WAY S & S ROYAL BROUGHAM WAY 3 2 ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE Buses traveling southbound through the Channelization intersection were experiencing difficulty Metro partnered with SDOT to install crossing S Royal Brougham Way due to a dashed lane lines southbound through the I-90 significant jog (lane offset) between the north intersection, clarifying the travel path for and south legs of the intersection. Cars would both southbound lanes. sometimes cross into the path of southbound buses in the intersection, posing a safety hazard for transit and general-purpose traffic. RAMP TO I-5

PROJECT

METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: #40, #106, DASHED LINE #522, #545 S ROYAL BROUGHAM WAY ADDED

PROJECT PARTNERS

AIRPORT WAY S

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SEATTLE Jonathan Dong (SDOT) N

TRANSIT BENEFITS SAFETY SAFETY ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS)

Channelization enhancements improve safety 500 RIDERS for transit operators and riders, as well as other drivers. The improvement reduces the chances of +Additional benefit to terminal trips headed southbound sideswipe collisions. 25 BUSES/HR to Atlantic/Central Base

2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report 5 274 . LATONA AVENUE NE & NE 50TH STREET LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 2 ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE Northbound buses turning right from Bus Operations & Parking westbound NE 50th Street to northbound Metro worked with SDOT to restrict about Latona Avenue NE were experiencing two (2) parking spots northbound on Latona difficulty making the turn due to parked cars Avenue NE. Buses now have more space to northbound on Latona Avenue NE on the safely make the westbound right turn. northeast corner of the intersection.

NO PARKING PROJECT NE AVE LATONA ZONE

METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: #26

PROJECT PARTNERS NE 50TH ST

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Jonathan Dong, Kelly Hall (SDOT) SEATTLE N

TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAYSAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS)

Restricting parking along Latona Avenue NE improves safety for buses and passengers riding along the turn and improves the speed and reliability of buses making the turn. 4 BUSES/HR 1,410 RIDERS

6 2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 28. NE 50TH STREET & 15TH AVENUE NE 5 2 ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE Eastbound buses turning left were Bus Operations & Parking experiencing difficulty making the turn due Metro worked with SDOT to restrict about two to parked cars northbound on the northeast (2) parking spots northbound on 15th Avenue corner of the intersection. NE. Buses now have more space to safely make the eastbound left turn.

NO PARKING ZONE PROJECT

METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: #45, #71, #73

NE 50TH ST

PROJECT PARTNERS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SEATTLE Jonathan Dong, Kelly Hall (SDOT)

N 15TH AVE NE AVE 15TH

TRANSIT BENEFITS SAFETY BUS DELAYSAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS)

Restricting parking along 15th Avenue NE improves safety for buses and passengers riding along the turn and improves the speed and reliability of buses making the turn. 7 BUSES/HR 5,520 RIDERS

2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report 7 296 . NE 70TH STREET & 50TH AVENUE NE LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 2 ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE Northbound buses were experiencing difficulty Bus Operations & Parking passing stopped southbound cars due to Metro worked with SDOT to restrict about two parked cars northbound on the northeast (2) parking spots northbound on 50th Avenue corner of the intersection. NE. Buses now have more space to safely travel northbound.

NO PARKING ZONE

PROJECT

NE 70TH ST METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: #71, #76

PROJECT PARTNERS 50TH AVE NE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Jonathan Dong, Kelly Hall (SDOT) SEATTLE N

TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAYSAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS)

Restricting parking along 50th Avenue NE improves safety for transit operators and riders and improves the speed and reliability of northbound buses passing southbound cars. 8 BUSES/HR 3,030 RIDERS

8 2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 30. GRANDVIEW PLACE E & E GARFIELD STREET 7 2 ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE Northbound buses turning left were Bus Operations & Parking experiencing difficulty making the turn due to Metro worked with SDOT to restrict parking parked cars westbound on the north side of westbound on E Garfield Street between the intersection. Grandview Place E and 15th Avenue E. Buses now have more space to safely make the northbound left turn.

NO PARKING ZONE

PROJECT E GARFIELD ST METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: #10

GRANDVIEW E PLACE

PROJECT PARTNERS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SEATTLE Jonathan Dong, Kelly Hall (SDOT) N

TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAYSAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS)

Restricting parking along E Garfield Street improves safety for buses and passengers riding along the turn and improves the speed and reliability of buses making the turn. 8 BUSES/HR 2,630 RIDERS

2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report 9 318 . SW ALASKA STREET & CALIFORNIA AVENUE SW LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 3 ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE Eastbound buses were experiencing difficulty Bus Operations, Parking & Signage CALIFORNIA AVE SW maneuvering eastbound on SW Alaska Metro worked with SDOT to install signage Street approaching 42nd Avenue SW due to to enhance the existing parking restriction a midblock pinch point created by an angle midblock. The new signs read “no stops” and in the lane lines and cars parked illegally in – beyond a simple “no parking” restriction the midblock “no parking” zone. Buses would – prohibit vehicles from stopping curbside have to slow down and carefully cross the (e.g. for pick-up/drop-off activities). SDOT lane line, encroaching in the adjacent lane or also installed red curb paint to clarify the risk hitting a parked vehicle. “no stops” zone. SDOT may also consider adjusting lane lines in the future to further improve eastbound transit maneuverability.

PROJECT METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: C LINE, #37,

#50, #55 ST SW ALASKA

PROJECT PARTNERS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Jonathan Dong (SDOT) SEATTLE N 42ND AVE SW N TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS) Eastboud 7 sec Delay Reduced in the PM Peak The improved parking restrictions also enhance safety for transit by reducing the chances of collisions between eastbound buses and parked cars. 12 BUSES/HR 7,060 RIDERS

10 2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 32. INTERURBAN AVENUE S & 52ND AVENUE S 9 4 ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE Southbound buses departing Tukwila Park Queue Jump, Traffic Signals, Signage, & & Ride struggled to merge left before the Channelization intersection at Interurban Avenue S and Metro worked with the City of Tukwila to 52nd Avenue S to continue southbound, and install a southbound queue jump in the curb experienced delays when traffic was heavy. lane. The queue jump signal is activated Right-turning cars would use the middle when buses pull up to the stop bar and southbound lane at the intersection, weaving allows buses to bypass adjacent southbound INTERURBAN AVE S with buses trying to go through. traffic congestion. A new signal was installed for buses, as well as signage and pavement markings indicating that general purpose vehicles in the curb lane must turn right at 52nd Avenue S.

PROJECT

METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: #150, #154

QUEUE JUMP PROJECT PARTNERS 52ND AVE S SIGNAL ADDED

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TUKWILA Scott Bates, Cyndy Knighton (City of Tukwila) N TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS)

Southbound 8 sec Delay Reduced in the PM Peak

Southbound 9 sec Delay Reduced in the AM Peak 5 BUSES/HR 2,700 RIDERS

2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report 11 4TH AVE 1033. UNION STREET (4TH AVENUE - 7TH AVENUE) LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY BUS 4 LANE ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE ADDED The end of joint operations in the Downtown Metro worked with SDOT to implement signage and channelization Seattle Transit Tunnel resulted in several improvements at two intersections on Union Street to reduce westbound high-ridership, high-frequency bus routes transit delay and provide reliable access to the bus zones. At 6th moving from a dedicated, grade-separated Avenue/Union Street, the right-most travel lane was converted from right of way to downtown Seattle surface a through lane to a right-turn-only lane for traffic, with an exception 5TH AVE streets in traffic. Union Street (a one-way that allows buses to travel through to access the bus zone on the far westbound street) became the new pathway side of the intersection. At 4th Avenue/Union Street, a shared through- UNION ST for all of these relocated routes, so there right turn lane (adjacent to a right-turn-only lane) was converted to was a need to ensure fast and reliable transit a through-only lane to reduce delay for westbound buses and access connections between the I-5/Union Street the far side bus zone. Removing the dual westbound right turn at 4th off-ramp and bus lanes on 2nd Avenue and Avenue/Union Street also reduced the risk of conflict between right- 3rd Avenue. turning traffic and pedestrians using the northern crosswalk ofthe intersection. PROJECT 6TH AVE METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: #41, #74, BUS #101, #102, #150, #301, #522, #550 LANE ADDED

PROJECT PARTNERS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 7TH AVE BUS Jonathan Dong (SDOT) SEATTLE LANE N ADDED TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS)

Westbound Delay Reduced in the 10 sec AM Peak Between Convention Place and 2nd Avenue 35 BUSES/HR 16,220 RIDERS

12 2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 34. 3RD AVENUE & COLUMBIA STREET 1 11 ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE Due to deceased peak period traffic volumes Traffic Signals (impacted by the pandemic), SDOT was SDOT increased the eastbound left turn phase running off-peak signal timing plans in the by five (5) seconds, allowing more than one peak period in Downtown Seattle. As a coach to safely complete the eastbound left result, the eastbound transit-only left turn turn per cycle. signal on Columbia Street at 3rd Avenue was receiving shorter green times than usual during peak periods. Since transit volumes were not significantly lower along Columbia Street, buses were delayed because only one coach could make it through the intersection per cycle. PROJECT

QUEUE METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: C LINE, #21X, JUMP PHASE #55, #56, #57, #120, #125 LENGTHENED COLUMBIA ST 3RD AVE PROJECT PARTNERS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SEATTLE Laura Wojcicki (SDOT) N N TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS)

Eastbound Transit 9 sec Delay Reduced

35 BUSES/HR 11,590 RIDERS

2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report 13 35. 16TH AVENUE SW & SW HOLDEN STREET LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 12 3 ISSUE would result in left-turning vehicles blocking Buses traveling northbound and southbound the lane for through vehicles and buses. through the intersection of 16th Avenue SW & SW Holden Street experienced IMPROVEMENTS MADE long delays due to traffic congestion during the peak periods, which had been Traffic Signals and Channelization exacerbated with the closure of the West SDOT implemented channelization Seattle bridge in March 2020. The traffic improvements on the northbound and congestion was primarily caused by a southbound approaches at the intersection to high volume of left-turning traffic on 16th create a left-turn-only pocket lane to separate Avenue SW that shared the single travel left-turning traffic from through traffic and lane with through traffic and buses. The buses. They also implemented signalization combination of a single travel lane and the improvements to establish a protected turn high volume of traffic in both directions signal phase for these movements. PROJECT

METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: #125, #128

SW HOLDEN ST PROJECT PARTNERS LEFT TURN PHASE ADDED ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AVE 16TH Jonathan Dong, Laura Wojcicki (SDOT) SEATTLE N N TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS) Northbound Delay Reduced in the 6 sec Weekday Midday Period Between SW Holden Street and SW Austin Street 10 BUSES/HR 4,450 RIDERS

14 2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 36. N 45TH STREET (N MIDVALE PLACE - STONE WAY N) 5 13 ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE An existing westbound bus lane on N Midvale Channelization Place approaching Green Lake Way N provided In combination with an intersection an effective traffic bypass for Route 44 trolley reconfiguration and pedestrian safety buses, but the lane was not long enough and improvement project led by SDOT, the buses were getting stuck in traffic on N 45th westbound bus lane was extended along N Street between Stone Way and Midvale Place Midvale Place. and N 45th Street all the way during peak periods. to Stone Way N. To support the new bus lane and roadway channelization, Metro shifted the overhead trolley wire to match the new

configuration. SDOT provided a funding STONE WAY N STONE contribution for the trolley modification, while Metro’s Trolley Capital Program funded the majority of the work. N MIDVALE PL PROJECT BUS LANE METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: #44 ADDED

PROJECT PARTNERS

N 45TH ST

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SEATTLE Jonathan Dong, Janet Loriz (SDOT) N N TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS) Westbound Delay Reduced in the Weekday PM Peak 15 sec Period Between Stone Way N and Green Lake Way 6 BUSES/HR 4,620 RIDERS

2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report 15 1437. 3RD AVENUE & YESLER WAY LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 3 ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE High volumes of Metro buses on 3rd Avenue Channelization & Pedestrian caused buses to queue southbound on 3rd Improvement approaching Yesler Way. Oftentimes, two Metro worked with SDOT to shift the or more 60-foot articulated coaches would southbound stop bar south closer to the queue between the stop bar at Yesler Way Yesler Way crosswalk, providing enough room and the crosswalk to the north at Jefferson for two 60-foot coaches to fit without blocking Street, but there was only enough room for the Jefferson Street crosswalk. one 60-foot coach to fit without the second JEFFERSON ST blocking the crosswalk. This resulted in either coaches blocking the crosswalk or longer southbound queues. PROJECT 3RD AVE METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #7, #10, #11, #13, #14, #15, #17, #18, #19, #21, #24, #26, #27, STOP BAR #28, #29, 33, 36, #37, #40, #43, MOVED #47, 49, #62, #70, #116, #118, #119, CLOSER TO #124, #131, #132, D LINE, E LINE INERSECTION PROJECT PARTNERS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SEATTLE Jonathan Dong, Kelly Kobashigawa (SDOT) YESLER WAY N

TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS)

Southbound Delay 3 sec Reduced in AM Peak Period

Improved channelization enhances safety for people crossing 3rd Avenue at Jefferson Street. 62 BUSES/HR 39,640 RIDERS

16 2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 38. WESTLAKE AVENUE N & MERCER STREET 15 5 ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE Metro buses were delayed when trying to use Queue Jump & Traffic Signals the northbound queue jump because it was Utilizing Regional Mobility Grant (RMG) effectively only five (5) seconds long. Buses funds provided by WSDOT, Metro and SDOT were unable to clear the intersection before partnered to replace the existing 2-section the queue jump phase ended, and only one display with a 3-section white bar-style bus could make the jump per cycle. Buses that display. A middle white triangle indication was missed the queue jump had to wait a whole added to accommodate a clearance interval. QUEUE JUMP cycle or merge back across heavy northbound This allows the signal timing to accommodate a longer queue jump phase, allowing more SIGNAL traffic, resulting in transit delay. than one bus to use the queue jump per UPGRADED phase.

PROJECT

METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: C LINE, #40 WESTLAKE AVE N WESTLAKE

PROJECT PARTNERS MERCER ST

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SEATTLE Jonathan Dong, Laura Wojcicki (SDOT) N

TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS)

Northbound Delay 3 sec Reduced in the Weekday Midday Period The queue jump also provides reliability benefits during congested periods. 20 BUSES/HR 24,500 RIDERS

2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report 17 1639. 2ND AVENUE EXTENSION S & S JACKSON STREET LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 2 ISSUE police resources and the logistical difficulties General purpose traffic was illegally using the of issuing citations without causing further existing bus lane on 2nd Avenue Ext Street blockages of the bus lane. approaching S Jackson Street. The bus lane was clearly marked with “bus only” legends and IMPROVEMENTS MADE signage, but non-transit vehicles would still Bus Lanes use the lane, especially during peak periods SDOT added red bus lane pavement markings and prior to sporting events at the nearby along 2nd Avenue Ext S between S Main stadiums. This delayed buses and made it Street/3rd Avenue S and S Jackson Street. difficult for multiple buses to serve the stop This helps clearly indicate that the curb lane at S Jackson Street simultaneously. General is for buses only, all day, every day. The only purpose vehicles can block bus movement, general purpose traffic allowed in the lane is cause delays to bus riders, and render the bus traffic immediately turning right. Red paint lane ineffective. Furthermore, enforcement of has been proven to reduce the number of bus-only lanes is challenging due to limited vehicles violating the bus-only restrictions.

3RD AVE 3RD S 2ND AVE EXT PROJECT METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: #1, #2, #3, PROJECT PARTNERS #4, #7, #10, #11, #13, #14, #21, #36, #43, #47, #49, #70, #74, #101, #102, #111, #116, #118, #119, #124, #131, #132, #150, #162, #212, #218, #301, #522, BUS LANE #550, #554, D LINE, E LINE ADDED

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SEATTLE Jonathan Dong (SDOT) S JACKSON ST N N TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS) Southbound Delay Reduced in the PM Peak Period for Most- 6 sec Delayed through Trips Between S Main Street and Jackson Street 159 BUSES/HR 36,630 RIDERS

18 2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 40. 8TH AVENUE & SENECA STREET 17 2 ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE Westbound buses were experiencing Bus Operations & Channelization difficulty turning right onto 8th Avenue when SDOT shifted the southbound stop bar back, southbound vehicles were stopped at the providing more room for buses to safely make stop bar. The stop bar and centerline was the westbound right turn. The stop bar shift previously adjusted to better accommodate was accompanied with a “no turn on red” sign westbound right turns, but buses were still to keep right-turning vehicles from pulling having to either cross the centerline on 8th ahead of the new stop bar location. Avenue or wait for southbound traffic to clear before turning due to the tight curb radius.

STOP BAR PROJECT MOVED BACK METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: #64, 309

PROJECT PARTNERS

8TH AVE SENECA ST SIGN ADDED ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (SOUTHBOUND) SEATTLE Jonathan Dong, Kelly Kobashigawa (SDOT) N

TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAYSAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS)

Westbound right turns are now easier for buses to make, enhancing the safety of buses, transit riders, and other drivers by reducing the chances of collisions between buses and southbound vehicles 4 BUSES/HR 700 RIDERS

2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report 19 1841. OLIVE WAY & BOREN AVENUE LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 1 ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE Eastbound buses were experiencing delay Signage when traffic queues on Boren Avenue – Metro worked with SDOT to install a “do not particularly northbound approaching Howell block intersection” sign for northbound traffic SIGN ADDED Street – extended through the Olive Way at the intersection, reducing the chances of (NORTHBOUND) intersection, blocking eastbound traffic when eastbound buses being blocked. northbound and southbound signals were red.

PROJECT OLIVE WAY METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: #41, #257, #311, #522, #545 OLIVE WAY

PROJECT PARTNERS

BOREN AVE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Jonathan Dong (SDOT) SEATTLE N

TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS)

Eastbound 4 sec Delay Reduced in AM

Fewer intersection blockages also provides benefits to eastbound general purpose traffic. 22 BUSES/HR 10,850 RIDERS

20 2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 42. 8TH AVENUE S & S KENYON STREET 2 19 ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE Northbound buses turning left were Bus Operations & Parking experiencing difficulty making the turn due Metro worked with SDOT to restrict about two to parked cars westbound on the northwest (2) parking spots westbound on S Kenyon corner of the intersection. Street. Buses now have more space to safely make the northbound left turn.

NO PARKING ZONE

PROJECT

METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: #132 S KENYON ST

PROJECT PARTNERS 8TH AVE S AVE 8TH

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SEATTLE Jonathan Dong, Kelly Hall (SDOT) N

TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAYSAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS)

Restricting parking along S Kenyon Street improves safety for buses and passengers riding along the turn and improves the speed and reliability of buses making the turn. 2 BUSES/HR 1,460 RIDERS

2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report 21 2043. MERCER STREET & 1ST AVENUE N LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 3 ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE Northbound buses turning left were Bus operations – parking experiencing difficulty making the turn due Metro worked with SDOT to restrict about to parked cars westbound on the northwest three (3) parking spots westbound on Mercer corner of the intersection and westbound Street. Buses can now make the northbound queues from Queen Anne Avenue N. Parking left turn into the righthand westbound lane at along Mercer Steet is only allowed during all times of day. peak periods, and westbound, only between 1st Avenue N and the bus stop to the west. NO PARKING ZONE PROJECT

METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: #1, #8, #32, D LINE

PROJECT PARTNERS MERCER ST

1ST AVE N

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Jonathan Dong, Laura Wojcicki, Kelly Hall (SDOT) SEATTLE N

TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS)

Northbound Left Turn 8 sec Delay Reduced 24 BUSES/HR 14,060 RIDERS

22 2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 44. RAINIER AVENUE S (S KENNY STREET TO S FRONTENAC STREET) 21 5 ISSUE S KENNY ST (BAT) lanes at selected locations in the Rainier Rainier Avenue S is a congested traffic and Beach neighborhood. transit corridor and has a history of frequent traffic collisions. The City would like to reduce IMPROVEMENTS MADE the number of traffic lanes on Rainier Avenue S SPENCER ST Bus Lanes to reduce speeding and improve the overall In 2020, SDOT extended the existing BAT safety of the corridor; however, this could lanes. Northbound on Rainier Avenue, 0.8 lead to additional transit delays and unreliable miles of BAT lanes were added between S operation if transit speed & reliability S GRAHAM ST Frontenac St and S Kenny Street. Southbound improvements are not installed along with on Rainier Avenue, 550 feet of BAT lanes any reductions in the number of traffic lanes. were added between S Spencer Street and S In 2019, SDOT converted general-purpose Graham Street. These BAT lanes were painted travel lanes to Business Access and Transit red.

S MORGAN ST PROJECT METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: #7 S WARSAW ST

S HOLLY ST PROJECT PARTNERS

S WILLOW ST ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SEATTLE Jonathan Dong (SDOT) S FRONTENAC ST N

TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS)

Northbound 17 sec Delay Reduced per trip Southbound 9 sec Delay Reduced per trip 57 BUSES/HR 11,160 RIDERS

2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report 23 2245. 9TH AVENUE & SENECA STREET LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 2 ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE Northbound buses were experiencing difficulty Bus Operations & Channelization turning right onto Seneca Street when SDOT shifted the westbound left turn stop bar westbound left-turning vehicles were stopped back, providing more room for buses to safely at the stop bar. The stop bar was not set back make the northbound right turn. from the intersection, tightening the turn radius for buses. Parked cars along 9th Avenue LEFT TURN further complicated the turn, and buses were STOP BAR having to either cross the centerline on 9th MOVED BACK Avenue or wait for the westbound left turn pocket to clear before turning.

PROJECT

METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: #303

PROJECT PARTNERS

SENECA ST 9TH AVE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Jonathan Dong, Kelly Kobashigawa (SDOT) SEATTLE N

TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAYSAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS)

Northbound right turns are now easier for buses to make, enhancing the safety of buses, transit riders, and other drivers by reducing the chances of collisions between buses and westbound vehicles. 5 BUSES/HR 600 RIDERS

24 2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY 46. CARLYLE HALL ROAD N & GREENWOOD AVENUE N 23 3 ISSUE IMPROVEMENTS MADE Westbound buses were experiencing difficulty Bus Operations & Channelization turning left onto Greenwood Ave N when Shoreline shifted the northbound stop northbound vehicles were stopped at the stop bar forward, shifted the centerline east, bar. Northbound vehicles were pulling into the and added a striped median to keep cars intersection for better visibility when turning, closer to the curb and out of the path of tightening the turn radius for westbound westbound left-turning traffic. By clarifying left-turning buses. the appropriate stop position for northbound traffic, the new channelization provides more room for buses to safely make the westbound left turn.

PROJECT

METRO ROUTES IMPACTED: #331

Carlyle Hall Road N

PROJECT PARTNERS STOP BAR, CROSSWALK AND MEDIAN ADDED ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SHORELINE Kendra Dedinsky (Shoreline) N Greenwood Ave N

TRANSIT BENEFITS BUS DELAY IMPROVEMENTS ROUTE BENEFIT DAILY PASSENGER BENEFIT ( =1000 PERSONS)

2020 Annual Hot Spot Improvements Report 25