This section provides guidance for the design of transit stop elements, including sidewalk approaches, landing pads, bus pullouts and bus shelters.
(A) Sidewalk and path approaches. Pedestrian connections should be designed to provide the most direct route to transit stops to avoid out-of-direction travel. Direct routes will also reduce damage to landscaping by providing pedestrians with other preferred routes. Connections should be a continuation of the sidewalk and path system to reduce dead-end paths. At transit stops, sidewalks should be provided at a minimum to the nearest intersection or to the nearest section of existing sidewalk. It may also be necessary to wrap a sidewalk around a corner to join an existing sidewalk on a side street. If a transit route does not have complete sidewalks, it is still important to provide a suitable area for waiting passengers.
(B) Landing pads. At permanent bus stops, the ADA requires an eight- by five-foot landing pad to accommodate disabled users. For bus stops along streets without curbs, the roadway shoulder should be at least eight feet wide to serve as the landing pad.
(C) Bus pullouts. Where traffic conditions warrant a bus pullout at an intersection, a far-side location is preferred. The needs of passengers boarding or exiting the bus should not conflict with the needs of pedestrians and cyclists moving through the area. A curb extension helps pedestrian crossing movements, prevents motorists from entering the bus pullout area, and reduces conflicts with thru bicyclists. Each pullout should be designed to meet roadway conditions and bus characteristics. Where parking is allowed on streets, a curb extension can be placed within the parking lane so that passengers may board or exit the bus without stepping into the street. This also makes it easier to meet ADA requirements (the bus pulls up right next to the curb).
(D) Bus shelters. A standard-size bus shelter requires a six- by ten-foot pad. The shelter should be placed at least two feet from the curb when facing away from the street and at least four feet when facing toward the street. The adjacent sidewalk must still have a five-foot clear passage. Orientation of the shelter should take into account prevailing winter winds. Sidewalks separated from the roadway with a planter strip offer a unique opportunity to provide a bus shelter out of the path of passing pedestrians.
(Ord. passed 6- -2009)