Thank you for your interest in the Levy to Move Seattle.
Program 21 – Transit Spot Improvements
Our Levy to Move Seattle commitment: Make bus service more reliable through a comprehensive transit improvement program to eliminate bottlenecks in key locations and contribute to the transit improvements on seven transit-plus multimodal corridors, including planning for access and egress improvement in West Seattle.
One way that we reduce congestion is by making transit a reliable, safe, and efficient option.
As Seattle grows and we work toward our bold climate vision, it is even more important to use limited road space efficiently and equitably. Transit can move more people per hour compared to other modes of transportation.
The above chart shows how efficient transit is for people to travel per hour, as compared to other modes of transportation. 600-1,600 people per hour can travel in private motor vehicles; 1,000-2,800 people per hour can travel in mixed traffic with frequent buses; 7,500 people per hour can travel in two-way protected bike lanes; 4,000-8,000 people per hour can travel in dedicated transit lanes; 9,000 people per hour can travel on sidewalks; and 10,000-25,000 people per hour can travel on an on-street transitway, bus, or rail.
Graphic developed by National Association of City Transportation Officials. Click here to see an enlarged image.
The Transit Spot Improvements program has three primary goals:
1 - Reduce travel delay and increase reliability for buses.
SDOT crews painting a red bus-only lane.
To do this, we add:
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Red bus-only lanes, which help keep transit moving by separating buses from other vehicles.
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Transit queue jumps, where buses can go to the front of the line at a signal.
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Transit signal priority, which allows buses and traffic signals to communicate with each other, so the signal can extend the green time or shorten the red time for the vehicle if appropriate.
These help buses avoid traffic congestion, so:
- Buses are more likely to be on-time and may complete a trip in less time.
- People spend less time waiting for the bus and can more reliably know on how long their trip will take.
- Bus schedules can be adjusted to reflect faster trips and, in some cases, more bus service can be added with the time saved.
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2 - Improve safety for transit riders, bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers.
Some intersections are very busy, with people walking, biking, driving, and riding buses or streetcars all at once. Here, it’s even more important to protect our most vulnerable travelers. So, we install:
- Streetcar platform upgrades
- Safety railings
- Yellow tactile strips along streetcar tracks
- Reflective markers and paint to increase visibility of streetcar platforms
- Delineators along streetcar tracks to prevent cars from colliding into a streetcar
At the intersection of E Denny Way & Broadway E, near the Capital Hill Light Rail Station, we installed a bike box for people biking to wait for the signal to change, a diagonal pathway, and a signal for cyclists. These improvements help connect the protected bike lane, and clarify how, and when to use the intersection.
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3 - Improve transit passenger experience by making passenger facilities better.
Together with King County Metro, we are always looking for opportunities to improve the accessibility and comfort of our transportation system. Some of the improvements you’ll see around town include:
- New benches, giving riders the option to sit down while they wait for their bus or streetcar to arrive
- Bus pads and expanded waiting areas, which provide a larger, safe, even place for people to stand while waiting for the bus
Bench located at stop at Martin Luther King Jr. Way S & S Thistle St.
Thank you making this work possible through the Levy to Move Seattle.
What would you like to see in these newsletters? Please tell us by emailing MoveSeattle@seattle.gov. See you in two weeks!
 Approved by voters in November 2015, the 9-year, $930 million Levy to Move Seattle (the Levy) provides 30% of Seattle’s transportation budget to improve safety for all travelers, maintain our streets and bridges, and invest in reliable, affordable travel options.
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Thank you for your interest in the Levy to Move Seattle.
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