What do you guys think? Does it make sense to improve public transit by making an El Camino Bus-only lane, or is the cost of increased car-traffic too high?
Source: VTA Newsletter
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
El Camino Real BRT Project Update
There are some updates regarding the Bus Rapid Transit Corridor that is currently being planned for El Camino. Instead of just trying to push through the plan to build a dedicated BRT lane through most of El Camino between San Jose and Palo Alto, VTA is now considering and doing environmental impact reports for seven different scenarios. These include from the original plan utilizing a dedicated lane, making everything mixed flow between buses and normal traffic, and several options in between.
What do you guys think? Does it make sense to improve public transit by making an El Camino Bus-only lane, or is the cost of increased car-traffic too high?
Source: VTA Newsletter
What do you guys think? Does it make sense to improve public transit by making an El Camino Bus-only lane, or is the cost of increased car-traffic too high?
Source: VTA Newsletter
IMHO Josh, my answer is no, and this coming from a huge fan of public transportation. Is say this because Caltrain pretty much parallels the ECR corridor AND because express bus service already exists as well. With the millions about to be spent on BRT, will it really be that much different from existing express bus service?
ReplyDeleteAgain IMHO, BRT funding should be redirected to rail transit along the Stevens Creek/W. San Carlos corridor, in either light-rail or monorail form. Probably to late for that; in closing, don't like BRT.
It should speed up the existing bus service substantially, but a whole lane is a lot to invest. I have never used a BRT system before, so will have to try it before really knocking it. Who knows, it may be just as good as Lightrail for a fraction of the price.
DeleteDedicate lane BRT is really good. Check out videos from Transmilenio in Bogota.
DeleteSorry, but this is waste of money by our incompetent and mismanaged transit agencies.
ReplyDeleteThe 22 and 522 have some of the highest ridership in the system, this is absolutely necessary. The "rapid" limited stop 522 ride takes way too long.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind this is one of three corridors that will be built (Stevens Creek and Santa Clara/Alum Rock are the others).
I believe that what slows traffic on ECR is that folks slow down to a near stop to turn in to businesses. Then cars from behinds start moving to the middle lane and then back, and forth etc. I would consider making the right lane for buses and right turns only.
ReplyDeleteI have lived in other metro areas with a long main corridor and the traffic lights are timed to keep traffic moving at a steady 35 miles per hour. I don't understand why they don't just implement this simple measure on ECR.
ReplyDeleteAwesome news! Centerra will finally break ground on Tues. with the start of demolition. They posted tow away sign that read no parking until late 2014. It's a go!
ReplyDeleteAwesome indeed, do you have any other info besides the sign?
DeleteThe parking lot is closing on Monday Aug.19 to make way for construction. You also can check with Sam Liccardo office for when they would break ground. I called Barry Swenson over a week and the half ago, and they told me will be breaking ground in two weeks back then. Well, it has been a week and the half ago since I called them. Now, I'm seeing actions like closing off the parking lot next week and the signs put up. The crew were clearing the walls off with toxics paints and tearing other stuffs inside the building that is to be demolished next week.
DeleteThe dedicated BRT lanes will reduce the number of car lanes on El Camino. To reduce the impact on the number of car lanes, have ONE BRT lane dedicated to both north-bound and south-bound bus traffic. The buses would pull off to the side and wait for a computerized notification. A combination of GPS, sensors within the BRT lane, and computer control to notify bus drivers when the lane is clear. These "Smart" BRT lanes would create a dedicated bus lane, but reduce the impact of existing car lanes when compared to traditional BRT lanes.
ReplyDeleteThis defeats the purpose of dedicated BRT lanes and would lead to slower headways and tons of potential issues.
DeleteMountain View city council already said NO to dedicated lanes.
ReplyDelete