BUS STOP DESIGN & ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES APRIL 2017 Developed for Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) & Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) This document was prepared and published by the Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and is prepared in cooperation with and/or with financial assistance from all or several of the following public entities: the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), and the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), as well as, the City of Memphis, Shelby County, the Memphis Area Transit Authority, and DeSoto County, Mississippi. This financial assistance notwithstanding, the local governments in the contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the official view or policies of the funding agencies. It is the policy of the Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) not to discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, national origin or disability in its hiring or employment practices, or in its admission to or operations of its program, services, or activities. All inquiries for Title VI and/or the American Disabilities Act, contact Alvan-Bidal Sanchez at 901-576- 7156 or [email protected]. Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 1-1 Purpose and Need ............................................................................................................................ 1-1 Federal Accessibility Mandates .................................................................................................... 1-2 General Design Principles ................................................................................................................ 1-3 Corridor-Based and Individual Bus Stop Projects ...............................................................1-4 Local Plans..............................................................................................................................................1-4 Outreach Efforts .............................................................................................................................. 1-5 Stakeholder Meetings ....................................................................................................................... 1-5 Bus Stop Survey ................................................................................................................................... 1-7 Build Your Own Bus Stop Survey ................................................................................................ 1-9 2. CHARACTERISTICS OF BUS STOPS AFFECTING SITING AND FOOTPRINT ...... 2-1 Choosing Bus Stop Locations .................................................................................................... 2-2 Environmental Context ................................................................................................................ 2-2 Land Use/Activity Generators ..................................................................................................... 2-2 Roadway ................................................................................................................................................. 2-2 Connectivity .......................................................................................................................................... 2-2 Demographics ...................................................................................................................................... 2-3 Additional Environmental Considerations .............................................................................. 2-3 Location Relative to Intersection ........................................................................................... 2-4 Near-side ................................................................................................................................................ 2-4 Far-side ................................................................................................................................................... 2-4 Mid-block ................................................................................................................................................ 2-5 Transit Context ............................................................................................................................... 2-7 Boarding Volume ................................................................................................................................ 2-7 Stop Spacing .........................................................................................................................................2-8 Transfer Activity ................................................................................................................................. 2-9 Coordination with Other Curbside Uses ...............................................................................2-9 Parking .................................................................................................................................................... 2-9 Driveways ............................................................................................................................................... 2-9 Public Involvement ....................................................................................................................... 2-10 3. BUS STOP TYPES .......................................................................................................................... 3-1 Far-Side ............................................................................................................................................... 3-1 High Volume .................................................................................................................................... 3-1 Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates | i Low Volume .................................................................................................................................. 3-4 Near-Side ........................................................................................................................................... 3-7 High Volume ......................................................................................................................................... 3-7 Low Volume ........................................................................................................................................ 3-10 Mid-Block ......................................................................................................................................... 3-15 High Volume ....................................................................................................................................... 3-15 Low Volume ........................................................................................................................................ 3-18 Stops after Bus Turns ................................................................................................................. 3-21 Opportunities for Bus Lanes ................................................................................................... 3-26 Stops Located Adjacent to Bus Lane ................................................................................ 3-27 Sites Appropriate for Bus Turnouts .................................................................................... 3-30 Stops Located along Bus Turnout ....................................................................................... 3-31 Sites Appropriate for Curb Extensions .............................................................................. 3-33 Stop Located along Curb Extension .................................................................................. 3-34 Stops Located Adjacent to a Protected Bike Lane ....................................................... 3-34 Superstop........................................................................................................................................ 3-38 Bus Rapid Transit Station ........................................................................................................ 3-42 Trolley Station .............................................................................................................................. 3-44 Park and Ride ................................................................................................................................ 3-44 4. BUS STOP ELEMENTS................................................................................................................ 4-1 Landing Pads .................................................................................................................................... 4-1 Bus Pads ............................................................................................................................................ 4-2 Shelters .............................................................................................................................................. 4-3 Seating ............................................................................................................................................... 4-8 Trash Receptacles ........................................................................................................................