July 19, 2024
Bus Stop Design: What Makes a Good Bus Stop?
This year, the City of Gainesville and RTS applied for and was awarded a federal grant to improve hundreds of RTS bus stops. Not only did they want to elevate the stop’s comfort, sheltering, and seating, but they also wanted to make sure they were in line with the latest ADA requirements to provide easy accessibility to all local citizens.
To accomplish this goal, the city hired JBPro to evaluate the stops and design any needed improvements. Our team was able to provide recommendations and designs for over 100 bus stops across Gainesville. From finding ways to improve accessibility to accounting for stormwater and environmental aspects, we coordinated with the City of Gainesville and RTS staff to better our RTS bus stops.
Throughout this project, our team got the opportunity to further our knowledge of what it takes to make a good bus stop design for the public. Today, we’ll be sharing some of the insights we gained from working on this project with the City of Gainesville!
5 Considerations for a Successful Bus Stop Design
In our experience, five key factors make a successful bus stop.
1. Accessibility through ADA Compliance
When designing a public good, accessibility should be your top priority. Public goods, especially ones like transportation, are there for everyone, and accessibility measures ensure that no one is hindered in using or enjoying that benefit. That’s why accessibility was one of the first things we looked at when evaluating the RTS bus stops.
Accessibility with bus stops goes beyond just allowing someone to get on the bus—it also extends to the waiting area itself. You want to make sure there is plenty of space for everyone to wait at the stop comfortably and safely. For example, does the stop’s seating allow space for wheelchairs to take shelter under the awning? Is there a ramp on the sidewalk for easy accessibility? If the answer is no to any of these questions, the bus stop requires some accessibility updates.
Furthermore, it is also important to stay up-to-date with the most recent ADA compliance requirements for a bus stop. This includes features such as a minimum 5-by-8-foot passenger boarding area with a level, hard surface for wheelchair access and a raised curb.
2. Adequate, Comfortable Shelter
A good bus stop design will account for two factors:
1. How many people will be using the stop at any one time.
2. Providing protection and shelter from weather conditions and/or the sun.
The second factor is especially important for bus stops in Florida, as we’re known to have frequent thunderstorms and powerful UV rays. No one wants to wait at a stop where they’re risking getting wet or sunburnt. Furthermore, people may become discontent if a busy bus stop only provides two or three seats.
People like convenience. The more comfortable and convenient an amenity is, the more likely people are to use it. If we want to encourage people to use public transportation, designing for comfort and space is essential. There are several ways to incorporate these elements into a bus stop’s design, including:
- Ample seating (even providing extra if the stop is particularly busy or popular)
- Siding and roofing that protects from the sun, wind, and rain
- A nearby trashcan to reduce the presence of litter
- Lighting for extra safety and visibility at night
- Extra space under the shelter for strollers, wheelchairs, or standing-room
3. Visible, Good Location
A good bus stop is one where people need one—and where it’s visible enough that people will use it. Busy intersections, popular destinations (such as shopping centers, schools, or plazas), and areas in the city with high foot traffic make ideal spots for bus stops. However, even in these popular locations, you’ll want to make sure your bus stop is clear and visible.
For example, a sign on the curb is easy to miss, especially at night or when you’re in a hurry. In some cases, buildings or even trees can block a bus sign from being easily spotted. A full shelter with a roof, siding, and perhaps even a bus map is much harder to miss.
This is far more than a convenience issue—pedestrians in a rush to find their bus stop may make reckless decisions, such as crossing traffic. Or if they miss their stop, they may panic and rush towards a moving bus to try and “catch it.” Clear visibility of a bus stop helps prevent these behaviors and protects pedestrians in the long run.
4. Sturdy Construction
Bus stops are long-term structures, and their design should take this into account. You want to design and build a structure that can withstand the harsh elements that come with being outside, especially during Florida’s hot summers and hurricane season. This often comes down to what materials you decide to use. For example, weaker metals or glass/plastics may rust, scratch, or become fragile over time. Additionally, bus shelters can be damaged or become airborne debris if not adequately anchored, sized, and fabricated to resist high wind speeds. Areas along Florida’s coast require all exterior coverings on bus shelters to be made out of shatter-resistant materials.
One of the best ways to build a sturdy, long-lasting bus stop is to work with an experienced civil engineering team like JBPro. Our engineers will be able to recommend both strong and cost-effective solutions for your project, so you can build for durability while remaining within budget. Plus, a team of civil engineers will help ensure your project can withstand the test of time.
5. Easy to Maintain
If bus stops are to be long-lasting, a good bus stop design must also account for its maintenance over time. Even if you choose the best materials, maintenance will always be needed eventually. However, the easier the stop is to maintain, the longer it will last.
When you’re designing your bus stop and selecting materials, make sure you consider the cost to replace or maintain each part. Our suggestion is to design the bus stop in a way that allows for individual parts to be replaced, avoiding the need to rebuild or dismantle the entire structure just to fix a single component like the siding or awning.
Complete Your Next Project with JBPro
JBPro has been providing our services to the Gainesville and Alachua area for over 25 years. Over the years, we have won awards and earned several certificates—all in pursuit of serving our community to the best of our ability. Our team was honored to help Gainesville better its bus stop designs, and we’ve helped complete other transportation projects in our city. We can help you too. Have your next project designed to the highest possible quality. Call JBPro today!