National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices Bus/BRT Applications Introduction • I am Steve Andrle from TRB standing in for Randy McCourt, DKS Associates and 2019 ITE International Vice President • I co-manage with Claire Randall15 TRB public transit standing committees. • I want to bring you up to date on planned bus- oriented improvements to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) What is the MUTCD? • Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) – Standards for roadway signs, signals, and markings • Authorized in 23 CFR, Part 655: It is an FHWA document. • National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD) develops content • Sponsored by 19 organizations including ITE, AASHTO, APTA and ATSSA (American Traffic Safety Services Association) Background • Bus rapid transit, busways, and other bus applications have expanded greatly since the last edition of the MUTCD in 2009 • The bus-related sections need to be updated • Much of the available research speaks to proposed systems, not actual experience • The NCUTCD felt it was a good time to survey actual systems to see what has worked, what didn’t work, and to identify gaps. National Survey • The NCUTCD established a task force with APTA and FTA • Working together they issued a survey in April of 2018. I am sure some of you received it. • The results will be released to the NCUTCD on June 20 – effectively now • I cannot give you any details until the NCUTCD releases the findings Survey Questions • Have you participated in design and/or operations of bus applications on surface streets? • Are you familiar with the MUTCD? • Have you utilized bus traffic control devices from the MUTCD on your bus project (devices listed)? Survey Questions • Have you observed issues associated with the public’s proper comprehension of bus- related traffic control devices? • Have you experienced issues with left turning traffic, confusion, intrusion into exclusive bus operations? • How would you characterize the crash history you have experienced with surface street bus operations? Survey Questions • Are there possible changes to the traffic control devices on your project that could have the potential to reduce/lower the crash history and improve bus operation? Outreach - Systems Surveyed West • Denver: Flatiron Flyer • Eugene: EmA • Los Angeles MTA: Orange, Harbor, El Monte and Rapid • Oakland AC: Transit Rapid Bus • Orange County: OCTA Bravo • San Bernardino: sbX • Santa Clara: VTA Rapid 522 • Seattle: KC Metro Rapid Ride • Vancouver, WA: the Vine Systems Surveyed - South/Southwest • Atlanta: MARTA Q • Austin: Metro Rapid • El Paso: Brio • Miami: South Miami-Dade Busway • Orlando: Lynx Systems Surveyed – East • Boston: MBTA Silver Line • Harford: CTfasttrak • New York: City Bus • Pittsburgh Busway • Providence: Tunnel • Richmond GRTC Pulse • Upper Darby, PA: Ardmore Busway Systems Surveyed - Midwest • Chicago: Loop Link • Cleveland: Healthline • Grand Rapids: Silver Line • Kansas City: Max • Minneapolis: Metro Red Line Initial Findings • The use of signs that permit a bus movement but exclude a general vehicle movement (bus only) are the most used devices followed by bus signals • A large number of responses observed issues related to effectiveness of bus traffic controls devices in shared/exclusive lanes. Initial Findings • Most of the comments about median/bus lane intrusion were related to failure to obey issues • Crashes were not identified as a "problem", however the one area where they were more common were surface street applications with narrow lanes and right hook issues. Closing • I wanted to take the opportunity afforded by this conference to make you aware of this activity relating to BRT and Busway signage, signals, and pavement markings • I also want to mention some TRB Resources Upcoming TRB Conferences • July 14-17: Asset Management -- San Diego (Has a public transportation track) • September 30- October 3: Rural and Intercity Bus -- Breckenridge • April 7-9, 2019: LRT joint with APTA - Jersey City • April 14-17, 2019: Demand Responsive and Innovative Transportation Services - Baltimore Transit-Related Policy Studies • Just completed -- Evidentiary protection of Transit Safety Information • SR 319 -- Between Public and Private Mobility: Examining the Rise of Technology-Enabled Transportation Services Handy Feature - Snap Searches • Available on TRB Library Tab (Under Resources and Data Bases) • 30 topics and growing • Everything TRB has done on a topic in the last 3- 5 years. Extremely handy! • Don’t see what you want. We’ll build one for you. • http://www.trb.org/InformationServices/TRBLib rary1.aspx Thank You TRB.org Extra Public Transportation Standing Committees • AP000 Transformative Trends in Transit Data • AP010 Management and Performance • AP015 Capacity and Quality of Service • AP018T Task Force on Safety and Security • AP020 Emerging and Innovative Technologies • AP025 Planning and Development • AP030 Marketing and Fare Policy • AP040 Automated Transit Systems • APO45 Passenger Intermodal Transfer Facilities Standing Committees Continued • AP050 Bus Transit Systems • AP055 Rural Public and Intercity Bus • AP060 Paratransit • AP065 Rail Transit Systems • AP070 Commuter Rail • AP075 Light Rail and Streetcar • AP085 Ferry Transportation • ABE50 Transportation Demand Management • ABE60 Accessible Transportation and Mobility •.