Queue Jumper
Sequence at an intersection with a short queue jumper
lane
1. Bus approaches from the
west at 40 mph. All three east bound lanes have red lights.
2. Bus is in right turn lane
slowing to about 20 mph.
Light for this lane goes green while
other two lanes still have red lights.
3. Cars in right lane can
only turn right. The two east bound car lanes are still waiting for a green
light.
4. Bus passes through the
intersection, at 20 mph, into a short bus only lane.
5. Cars in east bound lanes
get the green light.
Bus is ahead of the cars and free to
cruise at 40 mph till the next intersection.
While cars might experience a
3 minute delay at this intersection, the bus riders experience no delay.
A similar effect might be
achieved by coordinating green lights for several east bound intersections,
and letting cars and buses
both cruise at 30 mph through several green lights.
However, car drivers would
adjust to this reduced travel time by starting for work later.
When thousands of drivers
start for work later they clog up the road, leading to slow moving traffic
which then hinders the bus.