A Proper Busway

[21C101]

This is how to do a busway properly. Its an unguided busway (which means that the emergency services can use it too) and it has proper stations with platforms, canopies, station signs and footbridges, along with GW/CG joint line style "through roads" for non stopping buses.

Once the bus gets to the town centre it does a loop of the city centre streets then goes back down the busway the other way.

(nb these are not my photos)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/beyonddc/5599279229/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/beyonddc/5599275269/in/set-72157626327566567

https://www.flickr.com/photos/beyonddc/sets/72157626327566567

Looks like the canopies have been replaced since East Liberty became my local station for a short while in the '90s. Journey was about 11 minutes for the five mile or so journey into the town centre with a bus every three minutes.

http://www.portauthority.org/PAAC/apps/pdfs/P1.pdf

http://www.portauthority.org/PAAC/apps/maps/P1.pdf

 

[radamfi]

A few days ago I had a go on the South Miami-Dade busway. In theory it should have been wonderful given it is so long (at least 10 miles) with full segregation but there were traffic lights at each intersection where there was no priority. It was very disappointing.

Does the Pittsburgh scheme have priority at lights?

I agree though that you don't need guideways if you can make the road wide enough. We don't have to go far to find a world-class unguided busway. There are lots of great busways in the Netherlands but the Haarlem to Schiphol to Amsterdam Zuid-Oost route is quite spectacular with its lavish viaducts and tunnels and priority at all signals with side roads protected by level crossing barriers.

 

[21C101]

A few days ago I had a go on the South Miami-Dade busway. In theory it should have been wonderful given it is so long (at least 10 miles) with full segregation but there were traffic lights at each intersection where there was no priority. It was very disappointing.

Does the Pittsburgh scheme have priority at lights?

I agree though that you don't need guideways if you can make the road wide enough. We don't have to go far to find a world-class unguided busway. There are lots of great busways in the Netherlands but the Haarlem to Schiphol to Amsterdam Zuid-Oost route is quite spectacular with its lavish viaducts and tunnels and priority at all signals with side roads protected by level crossing barriers.

It doesn't need traffic lights except at the end. Its fully grade separated from the roads and you just zoom between the busway stops at about 60mph.

There are also routes from further out that use it andrun fast, overtaking the suburban buses at station 'through roads'. No signalling at all needed!

 

[martinsh]

Does the Pittsburgh scheme have priority at lights?

I'm glad at least one person knows where East Liberty and this "proper bus" are !!

 

[tramboy]

Most of the Busways in Pittsburgh are useful bits of large infrastructure - something I think you would only get away with in the US. The flyover and Berry St Tunnel at the start of the West Busway are definitely some heavy pieces of engineering.

The one thing letting some of Port Authority's network down however is the end of the other two routes being nowhere near the City Centre - buses from the West still traverse the Fort Pitt bridge, whilst those coming from the Mt Washington tunnel have to negotiate across the river again with other traffic.

Parts of the T are well built, and it gets to the City quickly, but is let down by the somewhat progress averse signalling through the underground sections - especially Gateway - North Shore, where the train constantly stop/starts through the tunnels.

Transport (transit to use the Americanism) in Pittsburgh has always impressed me, yinz don't know how well it compares to networks in the UK. PAAC are ahead of us in terms of infrastructure, and to some regards "smart" ticketing (paper smart cards!), but then behind when it comes to actual fare collection of any sensible nature (how to hold up a train when everyone has to come to the front and pay the driver!)

 

[Stonesourscotty]

Brisbane's Busway Network is amazing can't ever remember having issues with it apart from during State of Origin and Ekka