I-71 Bus on Shoulder Pilot Project

July 2007

Metro has partnered with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), ARTIMIS, the State Highway Patrol and the Federal Highway Administration to test transit buses using the left shoulder on I-71 between Kenwood and Kings Island during heavy traffic congestion.  The pilot program begins Monday, July 23, 2007 and will be for one year.

The goals are to reduce traffic by encouraging the use of Metro and to fully utilize the capacity of the highway system.

Background

The 11.7-mile corridor to be tested will be on I-71 between Kenwood and Kings Island, served by Metro's Rt. 71X Kings Island Express and Rt. 72 Kings Island.

While this program is new to Greater Cincinnati, it is modeled after the experience of other states that are successfully running Bus on Shoulder programs in urban areas. Experience in 10 other states - including Virginia, California and Minnesota, which has more than 250 miles designated for Bus on Shoulder -- has been very positive. Columbus started a similar pilot project last November.

Operating snapshot

• The pilot project has been approved by the Federal Highway Administration, ODOT, and the State Highway Patrol.
• Metro buses will use the left shoulder, so exits and on-ramps aren't affected.
• The only buses allowed on the shoulder are Metro buses.
• Emergency vehicles use the shoulders and Metro buses must yield to them.
• All Metro bus operators using shoulders are receiving special training.
• The shoulder will not be used unless traffic slows below 30 mph.
• A bus on shoulder will not exceed the speed of traffic by more than 15 mph.
• The maximum bus speed on the shoulder is 35 mph.
• If traffic is stopped, the bus will not exceed 15 mph.
• If the shoulder is obstructed in any way, the bus must re-enter the highway.

Shoulder selection

ODOT, the Federal Highway Administration and Metro carefully reviewed this section of I-71, which experiences "predictable congestion delays" with the running speed of the highway less than 35 mph often enough to justify the use of the shoulder. The I-71 shoulders in this area are 12-ft. wide (except for one small section that won't be used) and the pavement can handle the weight of the buses.

Metro buses only

Metro buses are the only buses allowed to operate on the shoulder because Metro bus operators are trained professionals who are held accountable to the operating rules of the pilot program. Metro's radio control center is directly connected to ARTIMIS to receive real-time information about road conditions.

Signs

ODOT is installing the necessary signs along the corridor to guide bus drivers and warn motorists. The main signs will have black lettering, on white background, which means they carry the force of law. The main signs will read "Shoulder. Authorized Buses Only" and will be installed about every half-mile along the corridor on the outside shoulder where the buses will travel.

Other signs such as "Begin," "End," "Watch For Buses On Shoulder," and bus arrow signs will be located along the corridor to show bus operators which parts of the shoulder are available for bus use and advise motorists they may encounter a bus on the shoulder. ODOT is installing almost 60 signs for the pilot program.

ODOT's role

ODOT is responsible for the operation of the freeways and has the technical expertise necessary to determine which sections of freeway are eligible for buses to use the shoulders, making ODOT the logistical partner in the group. ODOT played a major role in determining if the infrastructure was conducive to buses using the shoulder and then helped narrow down the best corridor to test the program. ODOT is also installing the signage for the program.

ODOT is responsible for the maintenance of the I-71 corridor and will increase maintenance activities along this corridor during the pilot program. When possible, the designated shoulders will receive maintenance priority over other shoulders for removing debris.

ARTIMIS' role

ARTIMIS is a partner in this project and will assist with communications from the Operations Control Center, which is connected via a fiber optic communication path to Metro's Radio Control Center. ARTIMIS staff coordinated the implementation of the project with ODOT and Metro.

Evaluation

The partners will meet monthly to discuss the program. At the end of the one-year pilot period, the project will be evaluated as to the impact on transit operations, highway operations and safety, and recommendations will be made.