I think they are going to have dedicated lanes for stops and special shelters too. This really is a good first step to real mass transit. Tie it to a circulator trolley downtown and we have a real start.
From the Tulsa Fast Forward site:
http://www.fastforwardplan.org/Portals/0/Documents/Peoria/Peoria_BRT_1-page_map.pdfhttp://www.fastforwardplan.org/Portals/0/Documents/Peoria/PeoriaTransitStudy4-4-2013DRAFT.pdfBelow are some excerpts from the study. It's a bit long but I expect most here would not follow the link.
Corridor-Based BRT (“BRT 10/15” & “BRT 15/20”) Build AlternativesThese alternatives are proposed to operate in mixed traffic, replacing the existing route 105 service within the PRC. Two BRT scenarios were devised in order to compare cost efficiency of operating at a 10 min/15 min or at a 15 min/20 min peak versus off peak service frequency. Infrastructure and technology improvements are the same between alternatives. BRT Alternative features include:
15 hours service operating span (approximately 6am to 9pm) Monday thru Sunday 10 minutes peak / 15 minutes off-peak daily service frequency OR 15 minutes peak / 20 minutes
off-peak daily service frequency
Limited stop frequency ranging from approximately every 1⁄2 mile to 11⁄2 miles from 38th Street North
to 81st Street South and Lewis Avenue. o A local circulator bus will be added to the North end of the alignment to maintain service in
between 38th and 66th Streets.
Traffic signal prioritization at all PRC signalized intersections Branding of vehicles and transit amenities
Significant transit shelters and amenities at end of line or major destinations / activity centers, major
arterials intersections and multimodal transfer points. Minimal transit shelters and amenities will be
installed at other selected stations.
Real time arrival information and passenger information media at shelters Pedestrian crossing protection and sidewalk repair/installation at stations adjacent to major arterial
intersections or multimodal transfer points
Automated ticket vending and pedestrian lighting fixtures along sidewalk approaches to stations
adjacent to major arterial intersections or multimodal transfer points
Dedicated transit lanes deployed only as appropriate in select locations
Dedicated transit lanes restrict travel lane accessibility to transit operations and other designated vehicles, (i.e. – high occupancy vehicles (HOV)). They may be deployed and operated on a continuous basis, or as-needed during peak travel demand or congested periods. Designation of dedicated lanes within the PRC would be achieved through signage, striping and pavement marking only. Construction impacts may include:
o Reduction in roadway capacity by restricting travel lane usage
o May require construction of additional infrastructure to designate transition from mixed use to
dedicated transit lane
Evaluation ResultsThe No Build Alternative has reconstruction. All of the proposed Build Alternatives feature similar elements requiring minor road construction for bus pads at all stations, as well as curb extensions and pull out bays where necessary.
Current traffic volumes and congestion levels along PRC corridor roadways do not support the installation of dedicated transit lanes; therefore, they are currently not included in either of the BRT Alternatives. Pending future traffic conditions, dedicated transit lanes may be considered for installation, as warranted, to support BRT
ServiceFaster one-way travel speeds along the Peoria/Riverside Corridor are hoped to be achieved through a combination of faster passenger boarding capabilities via off-board fare collection and consolidated stops. The removal of the current practice of “flag” stops is highly desired to improve on-time performance and boost productivity but has not yet been decided upon. Having consolidated stops would greatly improve travel times along this corridor. Table 16 tabulates alignment characteristics for the existing Route 105/No-Build scenario, as well as characteristics for each new service alternative. Table 17 details the service characteristics for local/existing service and the proposed alternatives.