When planning a bus stop and parking area, some special considerations should be kept in mind. For one, the sheer size of buses brings with it a number of difficulties. That being said, there are a number of guidelines that have been formulated to best address these difficulties. Following these guidelines will make for a safe bus stop and parking lot.
One such difficulty is when a bus needs to make a turn, or its turning radius. Obviously, a bus needs a lot of space to turn. A parking bus parking area should have enough space to accommodate a minimum inner turning radius of 28 ft and an outer turning radius of 50 ft, with a desirable turning radius of 30 ft inner and 55 ft outer.
Buses are also wider than cars, so its width is also a consideration when designing a parking lot or stop. An entrance way of at least 14 ft is the ideal width to best accommodate buses.
Pavement material is also a consideration since a bus can weigh over 20,000 lbs. As such, the pavement material for bus stops and parking areas should be sturdy enough to accommodate repetitive bus axle loads of at least 24,700 lbs. Concrete is the ideal pavement material since a concrete pavement lasts longer than one made of asphalt.
Since buses usually travel in the curbside traffic lane, another consideration is overhead clearance when planning a bus stop. Overhead obstructions like traffic lights should be a minimum of at least 12 ft above the ground. Curbside obstructions, on the other hand, should not be located within a minimum of 2 ft from the curb edge to avoid being struck by the bus’ mirrors. This includes future curbside modifications.
Another important consideration is accessibility for persons with disabilities.
The proper signage is another important consideration when planning the proper stop or parking lot. An ideal sign to use is one with the wordings "No Parking Bus Stop". Choosing this sign will help warn those who would want to park in that area. When choosing a no parking bus stop sign, make sure you choose one that will last you a long time. An ideal sign material is heavy duty aluminum since signs made from this material are typically rust proof.
Another consideration is where the bus parking lot itself is to be located. If a bus parking lot is located near a residential area, there should be an allocated “buffer zone” between the lot and the residential area. This “buffer zone” is established to minimize the effects of noise pollution on the said neighborhood. This zone varies from state to state, but it is usually 10 ft in width.
While there may be a number of special considerations when planning a bus stop and parking lot, it is important to remember that all these provisions have been formulated to best raise safety levels. Make sure these considerations are met as a life may be saved because of them.
Some Basic Bus Stop and Parking Guidelines