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Bus Lane with Intermittent Priority

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• Bus Lane with Intermittent Priority (BLIP)

• Exclusive bus lane provided when bus is present

• BLIP lane controlled with

In-Pavement Lights

BLIP Concept

Overhead Lane-Use Control Signals

© PTV America 2007

BLIP Operations1. All lanes open to traffic prior to bus arriving.

2. Approaching bus is detected.

3. Overhead lane-use control signals activate.

4. In-pavement lights activate.

5. Traffic begins exiting BLIP lane.

6. Bus enters cleared BLIP lane.

7. As bus clears a block, lane reopens.

8. This process continues until bus exits BLIP lane.

9. BLIP lane remains open until next bus is detected.

© PTV America 2007

Features

BLIP Concept

Bus detection

Signal

BLIP lane

BLIP Start

BLIP End

Lane-use control signals

= Lane open to general purpose traffic

= Lane open to bus only

In-PavementLights

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All lanes open

BLIP Concept

BLIP Start

BLIP End

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Bus approaches BLIP lane

BLIP Concept

• Approaching bus detected• Lane-use control signals change• In-pavement lights flash

BLIP Start

BLIP End

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General purpose traffic exits BLIP lane

BLIP Concept

BLIP Start

BLIP End

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Bus enters cleared BLIP lane

BLIP Concept

BLIP Start

BLIP End

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Bus travels along BLIP lane

BLIP Concept

BLIP Start

BLIP End

• Lane reopens to general purpose traffic after bus travels through each block

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Return to all lanes open

BLIP Concept

BLIP Start

BLIP End

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Key Benefits• Bus travel time reduced

• Bus schedule reliability improved

• Exclusive bus lane provided only when needed!

• Strategy fits within existing right-of-way

• Existing property access maintained

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Key Challenges• Public information/education campaign is required

• Requires driver compliance

• Enforcement may be needed

• Traffic delays may increase under specific conditions

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BLIP Applicability• Transit service can benefit from an exclusive lane

• Right-of-way is limited

• Balance can be found between transit benefits + traffic impacts

• Compatible with Transit Signal Priority to maximize transit benefits

© PTV America 2007

Where has it been applied• University Avenue, Lisbon, Portugal

• Melbourne, Australia

© PTV America 2007

Next Steps• Microsimulation for Feasibility Study