Traffic Signals for Bicyclists and Pedestrians, Transit Expansion, and Improving Transit Service

Part of the Access & Mobility Plan Effort

These three strategies focus on making traffic signals better for people biking and walking, creating new transit lines, and improving transit service. “Making Signals Work Better” helps people biking, walking, and using wheelchairs and/or assistive mobility devices get around safely. “Transit Expansion” adds new transit at, above, or below the street. “Improving Transit Service” adds more bus routes, times, and lanes.

Strategy 10: Make Signals Work Better for Pedestrians and Bicycles

Identify locations where operation of traffic signals should prioritize pedestrian and bicycle mobility, comfort, and safety.

Examples: Before auto traffic signal turns green, give pedestrians and wheelchair users a head start in crosswalks to increase visibility. Implement pedestrian scramble (pictured on the right), which brings all cars to a complete stop when it’s time for pedestrians to cross. A “green wave” allows better timed signals for people on bicycles resulting in a ride with less wait time, especially if the individual follows the MPH set for the signal. This can also give bicyclists additional visibility.

Strategy 11: Transit expansion

Expand the transit system by developing new transit lines above or below street-level traffic.

Example: VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II Project, which will extend BART service 6 miles from the Berryessa Transit Center into downtown San Jose. Or expand light rail lines and buses in their own lanes, potentially underground or above the street.

Credit: BART

Strategy 12: Improving existing transit service

Make it easier to get around on public transit and paratransit by increasing frequencies of service, adding routes, adding bus lanes and signal priority, and having transit run more hours of the day.