Upcoming SDOT Transit Spot Improvements
Sounder Bruce (via Wikimedia)
It's been a while since we checked in with SDOT's Transit Spot Improvements program. This is a small pot of money for SDOT engineers to make minor improvements to transit operations and rider amenities, which would not otherwise be funded as part of a RapidRide corridor project, an arterial repaving project, or a larger state or federal grant. Some improvements are fully SDOT funded, and some are cost-shared with Metro.
Here's what SDOT has on the docket for 2017. I've omitted a few projects that are purely maintenance of existing facilities, important though that is.
| Location | Schedule | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Olive Way & Boren | Q2 | Install EB queue jump (saving 87 sec/trip). |
| Broadway & Yesler | Q2 | Upgrade signals to improve streetcar turning movements (saving 130 sec/trip). |
| Olive Way, Terry to Minor | Q2 | Install EB peak period transit lane. |
| Aurora Ave, 115th to 145th | Q3 | Refresh transit lane markings. |
| 15th Ave NW & Market | Q3 | Install rear bus pads for RapidRide D. |
| Railroad crossings, TBD | Q4 | "Exempt"/"Tracks out of service" signs to allow Metro buses to avoid stopping at RR crossings. |
| Various, TBD | Q4 | Install protected left-turn signals |
| Various, TBD | Q4 | Install channelization, signs and markings to improve operations. |
| Lake City Way & 125th | Q4 | Install bus bulb. |
| Blanchard St, east of 3rd | Q4 | Install BAT lane (saving RapidRide C 4 min/trip); new RapidRide stop at 6th. |
| 15th Ave NW, Leary to Market | Q4 | Install BAT lane; install ped signal at 53rd. |
| Westlake, Blanchard to Fairview | Q4 | Install red painted transit lanes. |
| Route 60, TBD | Q4 | Provide rear door pads for various route 60 stops. |
| Broadway, Pine to Marion | Q4 | Install SB transit lane, subject to traffic analysis and outreach (saving 55 sec/trip). |
| Terry, Republican to Mercer | Q4 | Rechannelize to improve streetcar operations. |
I don't have too much to say about the project list overall, other than that everything sounds great, and I want more of it, faster. I'm especially happy about the 15th Ave NW ped signal, which will provide benefits far beyound transit. Perhaps missing from the list are heavily-used stops in the Fremont area, and speed and reliability improvements on the Uptown couplet.
One thing, in particular, I'm interested in hearing about in the comments: suggestions for left-turn pockets and other signage and channelization improvements. I'll collect suggestions that seem feasible to me and forward them to SDOT.