Bus turnout
Encyclopedia
A bus turnout, bus pullout, bus bay, bus lay-by (UK), or off-line bus stop is a special zone on the side of the main roadway (or bus/tram lane) for primarily bus
es to stop for a designated bus stop
in order to pick up and drop off passengers. The purpose of the bus turnout is avoid blocking a lane of traffic and to improve passenger safety during boarding and deboarding. Bus turnouts may also be the location of minor bus termini
, and may be extended to accommodate bus stand
s.
Bus turnouts are most often lacking in cities with little or no usable right-of-way
for their construction. In younger cities, particularly in the United States
, where there is sufficient right-of-way bus turnouts are installed on roads either as part of upgrading the road or installed by requirement of the local government during development of the lot.
A disadvantage of bus turnouts is that buses must merge back into the flow of traffic after using the bus stop, which can cause delay to the bus. Although many jurisdictions worldwide have instituted yield to bus laws, motorist compliance with these laws is often non-existent.
In some jurisdictions, bus turnouts can be used as an emergency turnout for the general public to prevent blocking a lane of traffic. However, should a bus attempt to enter the turnout often those using the turnout must make way.
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
es to stop for a designated bus stop
Bus stop
A bus stop is a designated place where buses stop for passengers to board or leave a bus. These are normally positioned on the highway and are distinct from off-highway facilities such as bus stations. The construction of bus stops tends to reflect the level of usage...
in order to pick up and drop off passengers. The purpose of the bus turnout is avoid blocking a lane of traffic and to improve passenger safety during boarding and deboarding. Bus turnouts may also be the location of minor bus termini
Bus terminus
A bus terminus is a designated place where a bus or coach starts or ends its scheduled route. The terminus is the designated place that a timetable is timed from. Termini can be located at bus stations, interchanges, bus garages or simple bus stops. Termini can both start and stop at the same...
, and may be extended to accommodate bus stand
Bus stand
A bus stand is a designated parking location where a bus or coach waits out of service between scheduled public transport services. 'Bus stand' is also often an alternative name for specific bus stops inside a bus station....
s.
Bus turnouts are most often lacking in cities with little or no usable right-of-way
Easement
An easement is a certain right to use the real property of another without possessing it.Easements are helpful for providing pathways across two or more pieces of property or allowing an individual to fish in a privately owned pond...
for their construction. In younger cities, particularly in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where there is sufficient right-of-way bus turnouts are installed on roads either as part of upgrading the road or installed by requirement of the local government during development of the lot.
A disadvantage of bus turnouts is that buses must merge back into the flow of traffic after using the bus stop, which can cause delay to the bus. Although many jurisdictions worldwide have instituted yield to bus laws, motorist compliance with these laws is often non-existent.
In some jurisdictions, bus turnouts can be used as an emergency turnout for the general public to prevent blocking a lane of traffic. However, should a bus attempt to enter the turnout often those using the turnout must make way.
See also
- Bus bulbBus bulbA bus bulb, also called a bus boarder or bus border, is an arrangement by which a sidewalk is extended outwards for a bus stop; typically the bus bulb replaces roadway that would otherwise be part of a parking lane...
- Bus laneBus laneA bus lane or bus only lane is a lane restricted to buses, and generally used to speed up public transport that would be otherwise held up by traffic congestion...
- Bus stopBus stopA bus stop is a designated place where buses stop for passengers to board or leave a bus. These are normally positioned on the highway and are distinct from off-highway facilities such as bus stations. The construction of bus stops tends to reflect the level of usage...