For years, San Francisco has set aside transit-only lanes. However, with a fresh coat of red paint, the city has seen significant service improvements.
For many San Francisco riders, the Muni Metro light rail and buses are often blocked by cars entering their dedicated lane. Previously, only stencils within the lane marked this restriction. However, a three and a half block length of north-south running Church Street carrying both the Muni Metro J-Church and 22-Fillmore lines received a red coat of paint to highlight its transit-only nature.
As reported on by Matt Johnson of Greater Greater Washington, less than two months after this urban intervention, "San Francisco's transit operator, SFMTA, reported that travel times on the 22 and the J were down 5% and on-time performance for those lines had increased 20%," a significant improvement for the daily 15,000 riders of these lines. Indeed, many American cities are following San Francisco and New York's example and painting their transit-only lanes red.
According to Aaron Bialick of StreetsblogSF, seven weeks after this fresh coat, "SFPD and SFMTA parking enforcement officers have handed out 26 citations to drivers so far for violating the transit lanes, according to the SFMTA." Despite the clear demarcations, drivers are still trespassing into the transit-only lanes.
FULL STORY: Red paint keeps drivers out of San Francisco's bus lanes
San Francisco Transit-Only Lane Controversy Heating Up
Public opinion is split on the red transit-only lanes found around San Francisco. Next week, the public will get a chance to air their grievances, or defend their territory.
A Bold Addition to 'Transit-First' San Francisco Streets
In an effort to improve on-time performance of Muni, San Francisco has begun painting transit-only lanes a shade of Golden Gate Bridge red.
San Francisco's Red Carpet Transit Lanes to Continue Through March Evaluation
San Francisco's red, transit-only lanes are a demonstration project. The lanes first appeared in 2013 and were supposed to last two years, with state and federal regulators to determine whether they would continue. The state evaluation began Dec. 6.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service