Determination of Transit Bus Stop Spacing: A Case Study of Route 1 in San Francisco

This paper presents a methodology for identifying new bus stops or eliminating excess bus stops based on factors such as ridership, transfer points, and existing bus shelters or infrastructure, as well as public input to determine user preferences for locations to include. This methodology was developed and applied to the proposed consolidation of bus stops on Route 1 along the California Avenue corridor in San Francisco. The research shows that increasing stop spacing distances increases walking distances, but in places with high transit and stop density, most access distances will not be beyond a five to ten minute walk. In general, European cities with high transit mode shares recommend stops every 1300 feet. American guidelines recommend stops between approximately 800 to 1300 feet. The literature reveals that fewer stops can lead to more reliable service. Time savings on the route can also translate into significant cost savings for agencies. The case study route was evaluated based on information from the literature. The yearly savings from the stop consolidation can be as much as $340,000 to $930,000 per route. The methodology is considered generic enough to be generally applicable elsewhere.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • The DVD lists the title of this paper as: Determination of Transit Bus Stop Spacing: Case Study of Route 1 in San Francisco.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Cooper, Erin
  • Nuworsoo, Cornelius Kofi
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 90th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2011-1-23 to 2011-1-27
• Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: DVD
• Features: Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 19p
• Monograph Title: TRB 90th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers DVD

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bus stops; Bus transportation; Case studies; Consolidation; Spacing; Walking distance
• Geographic Terms: San Francisco (California)
• Subject Areas: Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01333029
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 11-3882
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Mar 21 2011 2:13PM