THE SHIRLEY HIGHWAY EXPRESS-BUS-ON FREEWAY DEMONSTRATION PROJECT/FIRST YEAR RESULTS

FIRST YEAR RESULTS OF THE SHIRLEY HIGHWAY EXPRESS-BUS-ON FREEWAY DEMONSTRATION PROJECT ARE REVIEWED. KEY ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT INCLUDE EXCLUSIVE BUS LANES, NEW FEATURES BUSES, AND PARK-RIDE LOTS COORDINATED WITH THE EXPRESS BUS SERVICE. A BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT AND THE EVALUATION PROGRAM ARE OUTLINED IN DETAIL. ATTAINMENT OF NINE BASIC PROJECT OBJECTIVES IS EMPHASIZED. THESE INCLUDE: INCREASING THE AUTO-TO-BUS MODAL SHIFT, PROMOTING ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF TRANSIT OPERATION, REDUCING TRAFFIC CONGESTION DURING PEAK-PERIODS, INCREASING PEOPLE-MOVING EFFICIENCY OF THE SHIRLEY HIGHWAY, REDUCING VEHICLE-RELATED AIR POLLUTION, REDUCING TRAVEL TIMES FOR MOTORISTS AND TRANSIT USERS, IMPROVING RELIABILITY OF TRANSIT SERVICE, INCREASING PERCEIVED VALUE OF TRANSIT, AND IMPROVING THE MOBILITY FOR YOUNG, OLD, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, AND LOW-INCOME TRAVELERS. PROFILES OF BUS AND AUTO COMMUTERS IN THE SHIRLEY HIGHWAY CORRIDOR ARE PROVIDED AND COMPARED. THE IMPACT OF INNOVATIVE BUS FEATURES IS DISCUSSED. /AUTHOR/