Measuring the Impact of Streetscape Changes on Bus Service

MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) is a public agency in New York State that operates public transportation in New York City. The NYCT Department of Buses manages an extensive bus network serving the five boroughs. A unique challenge facing NYCT is that buses operate on crowded, changing streets where they share space with a growing number of other users. NYCT Buses enlisted a Capstone team to analyze how streetscape changes in the past five years have impacted the speed and reliability of bus service. The team selected twenty locations citywide to study the effects of streetscape changes such as bike lanes, turn restrictions, and speed reduction treatments. The team analyzed bus performance and safety data, researched best practices in other cities, and conducted interviews with select NYCT staff and external stakeholders. Based on the compiled data, the team developed a comprehensive report with recommendations for public street changes that will enhance bus service.