Innovative strategies for deploying bus lanes are proposed for field tests in Amman, Jordan. The objective is to reduce delays to buses in the network while minimizing delays to other vehicular traffic. The proposed strategies may be far better options than conventional, static bus lanes, given the test site’s large car demand and low bus frequency. The experiment is designed to be conducted in simple, safe ways, without the need for investment in permanent infrastructure.

The authors of this working paper explain that the operation of buses in mixed traffic flow can be impeded by congestion, leading to unreliable and slow service. Similarly, buses that stop frequently for passengers interfere with the flow of general traffic. Dedicated lanes provide a means for buses to bypass car queues, but in cases where bus flow is low, converting a general purpose lane to a bus-only lane will delay car traffic. The authors describe innovative schemes for deploying bus lanes to serve low bus demand intermittently. Strategies to deploy underutilized bus lanes will be systematically examined and field-tested in Amman, Jordan. A final report will include guidelines for deploying underutilized bus lanes that reduce or eliminate bus delays while minimizing the additional delay imparted to cars.