BRT Street Configuration Options
There are two configurations for BRT on El Camino Real that VTA deems workable: dedicated lanes and mixed flow. Most BRT projects use some combination of the two configurations—that is, some segments feature dedicated lanes and other segments feature mixed flow.
Dedicated Lane Configuration
In a dedicated lane configuration, the two lanes adjacent to the median (one in each direction) would be converted from a general purpose lane into a BRT-only lane. This would leave two lanes in each direction for cars. The BRT-only lane would have a different pavement color and would only be used by BRT vehicles and emergency vehicles.
Since the BRT lanes would be adjacent to the median, the stations would also be located in the median. The median stations would be split into two platforms, one for each travel direction on opposite sides of the intersection, similar to the split platform light rail stations on North First Street and Tasman Drive.
Since converting to a dedicated lane configuration would require a complete reconstruction of the street, there is an opportunity to make additional upgrades as part of the project. VTA has offered to upgrade signal infrastructure, add new signals or signalize pedestrian crossings, shorten crossing distances at crosswalks by decreasing curb radii or adding curb bulbouts, and install bicycle lanes as part of the project—all if cities prefer. If bicycle lanes were desired, on-street parking could be removed or the median could be narrowed in order to provide adequate space. The graphic below shows a configuration where bicycle lanes have been installed in place of on-street parking.
Mixed Flow Configuration
In a mixed flow configuration, the BRT vehicle would operate in the right lane just like the 522 Rapid Bus does today except it would use curb bulbout stations instead of curbside stations. Curb bulbout stations are extensions of the sidewalk that displace adjacent on-street parking and bring the curb to the edge of the travel lane. Instead of pulling over to the curb, as the 522 Rapid Bus does today, the BRT vehicle would stop in the travel lane to pick up passengers. As such, vehicles behind the BRT vehicle could be delayed by the BRT vehicle for up to 20 seconds while they wait for boarding to finish or they change lanes and could go around the BRT vehicle, when safe.
Since BRT passengers must purchase their tickets at the station prior to boarding, rather than from the bus driver, and may board or exit through any of the three doors, the BRT boarding process with curb bulbout stations is much faster than the current 522 Rapid Bus boarding process. Currently, the 522 Rapid Bus must pull over to the curb to pick up passengers. The passengers board one at a time through the front door and the driver must ensure that all passengers have paid the fare or shown a transit pass. Before the 522 Rapid Bus can resume it's route, it must wait for traffic to clear in the right lane before pulling back onto the travel lane.The Alameda - Mixed Flow Configuration
The Alameda is narrower than El Camino Real and has fewer travel lanes. VTA has proposed a mixed flow configuration on The Alameda with curb bulbout stations that would look like the graphic below.
