PRIORITY RULES OF THE ROAD FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT VEHICLES

In recognition of a concern for further information on legislative initiatives that provide public transit vehicles priority over normal traffic flow, a study was commissioned to determine the type and extent of priorities given to transit as a general rule of the road in other countries and to identify priority treatments with potential applicability to the Canadian/North American environment. Various priority measures have been identified in the report, including parking bans at bus stops, priority for buses leaving stops, exemptions for buses from prohibited turns, priority for transit vehicles in the traffic flow, and exemptions from specific vehicle size and weight limitations. The measures are assessed to determine the beneficial impact to public transit operations and the inconvenience to motorists. In addition, observance of the priority measures and their enforcement is noted, as well as the general public perception and overall impact of the measures. Based on the assessment, it is determined that the most applicable measure to the Canadian/North American environment is the provision of priority to public transit vehicles in the general traffic flow when the vehicle is attempting to merge into traffic after leaving a transit stop. Standard regulations and vehicle signage for such a measure are presented and various conclusions are also presented to support the implementation of the measure. (Author/TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)

  401-1111 Prince of Wales Drive
  Ottawa, Ontario  Canada 
• Authors:
  • Geehan, T
• Publication Date: 1986-1

Language

• French

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 58 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Buses; Exemption; Laws; Public transit; Size; Size and weight regulations; Traffic flow; Turning lanes; Weight
• Uncontrolled Terms: Restrictions
• Old TRIS Terms: Priority treatment
• ITRD Terms: 647: Merging traffic; 648: Priority (traffic); 744: Public transport; 1544: Traffic regulations; 313: Urban area
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00478507
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Jan 31 1989 12:00AM