Date: July 1, 2020
Author(s): Mark Hansen
Abstract
As congestion worsens in Los Angeles, public transit riders lose countless hours aboard buses stuck in traffic. Expanding the bus lane network can alleviate slow bus speeds to improve transit travel times and the experience of bus riders. Recently, the new peak-period bus lane on Flower Street in downtown Los Angeles demonstrated the effectiveness of bus lanes, decreasing bus travel times by 20% and reducing the variability in bus travel times. To build on this success, LA Metro managers have set out to identify more opportunities for flexible, peak-period bus lanes like the one on Flower Street. Many corridors in Los Angeles feature curb lanes that allow vehicle traffic during peak hours but restrict access to allow for parking in the off-peak. Most of these corridors consist of three peak-period travel lanes in each direction, meaning a new bus lane would reduce general traffic vehicle capacity by only one lane in each direction, and preserve parking in the off-peak. This research uses real-time, publicly accessible bus data to describe the current speed of buses on these types of lanes, known as peak-hour parking restriction (PHPR) lanes, investigate the potential travel time savings of bus lanes, and detail the possible changes in net person throughput.
About the Project
This capstone project was completed in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Master of Urban & Regional Planning at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.