Safe System Solutions conducted the Road Safety Audits for the trial sites, and it was very reassuring to see so many of our recommendations implemented before the trials went live (quite a few years back now). We pushed for fully controlling some intersections, adding motorcycle underrun protection to existing guardrails, signage and line marking changes, and the list goes on. And most were implemented.
So again, it was good to see that there are now criteria for future sites with motorcyclists in bus lanes (replicated below). But based on this criteria, I can’t see too many more ‘motorcycle in bus lane’ sites coming to Melbourne any time soon.
“Criteria for future bus lanes:
There should be a central median
All intersections along the bus lane should be signalised with fully controlled right turns (or the ability to convert existing signals to fully controls these movements)
Intersection signal phasing should be reviewed to ensure there are no delays to buses and avoid risks to motorcyclists
Preserve bus efficiency and reliability by applying criteria for bus frequency thresholds, motorcycle lane saturation levels, and merge zone geometry, ensuring overtaking and weaving movements are minimised so as not to compromise bus operations.
There should be no median openings (or the ability to close, or control via signals any existing openings)
Sightlines of motorcycles in the bus lane and from adjoining side streets must be adequate for the speed environment, which may require removal of some parking spaces in some circumstances
The bus lane pavement surface should be reviewed to ensure there are no hazards, particularly around pit lids and tram tracks
Guard rails with underrun protection should be present to reduce severity of crashes involving motorcyclists
Motorcycle in bus lane warning signs should be present and able to be installed with adequate spacings to raise awareness of motorists
The potential volume of motorcyclists wishing to use the bus lane should be large enough to warrant the costs of countermeasures and signs.”
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Follow Kenn Beer on LinkedIn for more updates and road safety industry news.
I was just re-reading the Victorian Government’s summary report on the evaluation of motorcycles in bus lanes trial.
Safe System Solutions conducted the Road Safety Audits for the trial sites, and it was very reassuring to see so many of our recommendations implemented before the trials went live (quite a few years back now). We pushed for fully controlling some intersections, adding motorcycle underrun protection to existing guardrails, signage and line marking changes, and the list goes on. And most were implemented.
So again, it was good to see that there are now criteria for future sites with motorcyclists in bus lanes (replicated below). But based on this criteria, I can’t see too many more ‘motorcycle in bus lane’ sites coming to Melbourne any time soon.
“Criteria for future bus lanes:
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Follow Kenn Beer on LinkedIn for more updates and road safety industry news.