Adam Weber
@awebr.bsky.social
my favorite comment from the meeting (which got picked up by the new haven independent article) was someone claiming that it was “offensive to the neighborhood” to say that “so few vehicles” use the bridge
400 ADT *is* technically very few compared to 8300 ADT on parallel Grand Ave. close it
400 ADT *is* technically very few compared to 8300 ADT on parallel Grand Ave. close it
January 13, 2026 at 6:21 PM
my favorite comment from the meeting (which got picked up by the new haven independent article) was someone claiming that it was “offensive to the neighborhood” to say that “so few vehicles” use the bridge
400 ADT *is* technically very few compared to 8300 ADT on parallel Grand Ave. close it
400 ADT *is* technically very few compared to 8300 ADT on parallel Grand Ave. close it
Yes a full replacement, it’s in conjunction with lengthening the station platforms and providing a new stair/elevator from the bridge to the platform, so it needs a brand new structure to eliminate piers in the railbed and raise track clearance
January 13, 2026 at 12:31 AM
Yes a full replacement, it’s in conjunction with lengthening the station platforms and providing a new stair/elevator from the bridge to the platform, so it needs a brand new structure to eliminate piers in the railbed and raise track clearance
Planned to start construction next year if all goes to the DOT’s schedule
January 13, 2026 at 12:10 AM
Planned to start construction next year if all goes to the DOT’s schedule
At the first public meeting for the replacement of the Court St bridge over State St Station into a pedestrian/bike only bridge, which is super exciting! The designers say almost double the number of pedestrians use the bridge daily compared to cars (800 vs 400)
January 12, 2026 at 11:19 PM
At the first public meeting for the replacement of the Court St bridge over State St Station into a pedestrian/bike only bridge, which is super exciting! The designers say almost double the number of pedestrians use the bridge daily compared to cars (800 vs 400)
Final note: as New Haven in collaboration with CTDOT and its consultants continue designing our BRT, I hope to see center running lanes and physically separated lanes as the default alternative. Knowing how drivers will park in any available curb space they find, curbside bus lanes are not ideal.
January 11, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Final note: as New Haven in collaboration with CTDOT and its consultants continue designing our BRT, I hope to see center running lanes and physically separated lanes as the default alternative. Knowing how drivers will park in any available curb space they find, curbside bus lanes are not ideal.
Reports referenced in the thread:
Van Ness Ave: www.sfmta.com/media/41987/...
Geary Blvd: www.sfmta.com/media/42845/...
Van Ness Ave: www.sfmta.com/media/41987/...
Geary Blvd: www.sfmta.com/media/42845/...
www.sfmta.com
January 11, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Reports referenced in the thread:
Van Ness Ave: www.sfmta.com/media/41987/...
Geary Blvd: www.sfmta.com/media/42845/...
Van Ness Ave: www.sfmta.com/media/41987/...
Geary Blvd: www.sfmta.com/media/42845/...
Overall, when looking to make a true investment in bus lanes, center running should be the default, especially in dense areas with lots of curbside activity. Curb running bus lanes present too many points of failure (parking, mixing traffic, tougher signal separation) to be a quality final product.
January 11, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Overall, when looking to make a true investment in bus lanes, center running should be the default, especially in dense areas with lots of curbside activity. Curb running bus lanes present too many points of failure (parking, mixing traffic, tougher signal separation) to be a quality final product.
Curbside/offset bus lanes are likely fine for a quick build situation, where you want to provide a dedicated bus lane with some simple paint and signing changes only. But cities should be prepared to deploy additional enforcement, as even one car parked in the bus lane will render it useless.
January 11, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Curbside/offset bus lanes are likely fine for a quick build situation, where you want to provide a dedicated bus lane with some simple paint and signing changes only. But cities should be prepared to deploy additional enforcement, as even one car parked in the bus lane will render it useless.
Given this data, I conclude that center running bus lanes are the most effective type for both bus operations and overall street safety. They require more capital construction, but produce a high quality, reliable, self enforcing end result by removing buses from typical downtown curbside conflicts.
January 11, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Given this data, I conclude that center running bus lanes are the most effective type for both bus operations and overall street safety. They require more capital construction, but produce a high quality, reliable, self enforcing end result by removing buses from typical downtown curbside conflicts.
Ridership - both corridors were built in the covid era, so ridership data was presented as a percentage of pre-covid recovery:
Van Ness - 103% recovery, with added challenge of an overlapping van ness route being suspended
Geary - 67% recovery on both the local and rapid routes
Van Ness - 103% recovery, with added challenge of an overlapping van ness route being suspended
Geary - 67% recovery on both the local and rapid routes
January 11, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Ridership - both corridors were built in the covid era, so ridership data was presented as a percentage of pre-covid recovery:
Van Ness - 103% recovery, with added challenge of an overlapping van ness route being suspended
Geary - 67% recovery on both the local and rapid routes
Van Ness - 103% recovery, with added challenge of an overlapping van ness route being suspended
Geary - 67% recovery on both the local and rapid routes
Collisions - looking at both overall collisions and transit related collisions:
Van Ness - overall crashes down 33%, transit crashes down 82%
Geary - overall crash rate unchanged/negligible, transit crashes down 50%
Van Ness - overall crashes down 33%, transit crashes down 82%
Geary - overall crash rate unchanged/negligible, transit crashes down 50%
January 11, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Collisions - looking at both overall collisions and transit related collisions:
Van Ness - overall crashes down 33%, transit crashes down 82%
Geary - overall crash rate unchanged/negligible, transit crashes down 50%
Van Ness - overall crashes down 33%, transit crashes down 82%
Geary - overall crash rate unchanged/negligible, transit crashes down 50%
Transit lane compliance - how often are passenger vehicles breaking the law by entering the bus lanes:
Van Ness - SFMTA does not provide data, likely because center bus lanes cannot be parked in / are median separated and highly discourage it
Geary - 47% reduction after painting bus lanes red
Van Ness - SFMTA does not provide data, likely because center bus lanes cannot be parked in / are median separated and highly discourage it
Geary - 47% reduction after painting bus lanes red
January 11, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Transit lane compliance - how often are passenger vehicles breaking the law by entering the bus lanes:
Van Ness - SFMTA does not provide data, likely because center bus lanes cannot be parked in / are median separated and highly discourage it
Geary - 47% reduction after painting bus lanes red
Van Ness - SFMTA does not provide data, likely because center bus lanes cannot be parked in / are median separated and highly discourage it
Geary - 47% reduction after painting bus lanes red
Reliability - how consistent are the arrival times, which is a function of other traffic & signals delaying the buses:
Van Ness - 45% reduction in variability inbound, 24% outbound
Geary - 24-37% reduction eastbound, 7-11% westbound
Van Ness - 45% reduction in variability inbound, 24% outbound
Geary - 24-37% reduction eastbound, 7-11% westbound
January 11, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Reliability - how consistent are the arrival times, which is a function of other traffic & signals delaying the buses:
Van Ness - 45% reduction in variability inbound, 24% outbound
Geary - 24-37% reduction eastbound, 7-11% westbound
Van Ness - 45% reduction in variability inbound, 24% outbound
Geary - 24-37% reduction eastbound, 7-11% westbound
Now to the SFMTA reports - first up, travel time savings, which is a huge component of providing dedicated bus lanes in the first place:
Van Ness - 26% reduction in travel time outbound, 36% inbound
Geary - 3-7% reduction eastbound, 11-18% westbound
Van Ness - 26% reduction in travel time outbound, 36% inbound
Geary - 3-7% reduction eastbound, 11-18% westbound
January 11, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Now to the SFMTA reports - first up, travel time savings, which is a huge component of providing dedicated bus lanes in the first place:
Van Ness - 26% reduction in travel time outbound, 36% inbound
Geary - 3-7% reduction eastbound, 11-18% westbound
Van Ness - 26% reduction in travel time outbound, 36% inbound
Geary - 3-7% reduction eastbound, 11-18% westbound
Geary Blvd bus lanes are either curbside or offset (between rightmost general lane and on street parking lane) bus lanes, in more of a quick build design. At many intersections, right turning vehicles share the bus lane, and parking requires crossing the bus lane. Bus follows typical traffic signals
January 11, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Geary Blvd bus lanes are either curbside or offset (between rightmost general lane and on street parking lane) bus lanes, in more of a quick build design. At many intersections, right turning vehicles share the bus lane, and parking requires crossing the bus lane. Bus follows typical traffic signals
Van Ness BRT is silver-certified by the ITDP (same as CTfastrak) with intermittent physical separation, signal separation for turn lanes, full red lanes, and median bus platforms that accommodate typical right-side boarding doors. Some designers think center BRT requires left side door buses (false)
January 11, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Van Ness BRT is silver-certified by the ITDP (same as CTfastrak) with intermittent physical separation, signal separation for turn lanes, full red lanes, and median bus platforms that accommodate typical right-side boarding doors. Some designers think center BRT requires left side door buses (false)
To compare the two, I decided to investigate Van Ness Ave (center lanes) and Geary Blvd (curb/offset lanes) in San Francisco, both with SFMTA bus service and in the same geographical area of the city. SFMTA prepared helpful reports on both corridors after implementation.
January 11, 2026 at 4:12 PM
To compare the two, I decided to investigate Van Ness Ave (center lanes) and Geary Blvd (curb/offset lanes) in San Francisco, both with SFMTA bus service and in the same geographical area of the city. SFMTA prepared helpful reports on both corridors after implementation.
A very quick research study into the effectiveness of curbside bus lanes vs center running bus lanes (thread):
I have heard designers present both types of bus lanes as having the same operational benefits, but I don't believe that's true. My hypothesis is that center is better than curbside.
I have heard designers present both types of bus lanes as having the same operational benefits, but I don't believe that's true. My hypothesis is that center is better than curbside.
January 11, 2026 at 4:12 PM
A very quick research study into the effectiveness of curbside bus lanes vs center running bus lanes (thread):
I have heard designers present both types of bus lanes as having the same operational benefits, but I don't believe that's true. My hypothesis is that center is better than curbside.
I have heard designers present both types of bus lanes as having the same operational benefits, but I don't believe that's true. My hypothesis is that center is better than curbside.
thanks @wtnh.bsky.social for reporting the real headline about the ICE protest in hartford. who cares that a federal employee committed a hit and run, a broken window deserves the headline more!
January 10, 2026 at 11:52 PM
thanks @wtnh.bsky.social for reporting the real headline about the ICE protest in hartford. who cares that a federal employee committed a hit and run, a broken window deserves the headline more!
got a smart bike trainer a few weeks ago and have been getting into Zwift - it’s actually a lot more fun than i thought and totally beats just not riding at all during the winter
January 10, 2026 at 4:44 PM
got a smart bike trainer a few weeks ago and have been getting into Zwift - it’s actually a lot more fun than i thought and totally beats just not riding at all during the winter
checked out the new CTrail model on its last day of open house - very comfortable and exciting! each car will have a restroom, destination board, tables, and bike racks. only concern is that i hope they amend the bike area to allow a bike or two to stay on the ground, no way my ebike can go vertical
January 6, 2026 at 5:56 PM
checked out the new CTrail model on its last day of open house - very comfortable and exciting! each car will have a restroom, destination board, tables, and bike racks. only concern is that i hope they amend the bike area to allow a bike or two to stay on the ground, no way my ebike can go vertical
my favorite bird fact is that if you hear a bird and think “wow that is a really annoying bird” it’s 100% a blue jay
January 6, 2026 at 1:37 PM
my favorite bird fact is that if you hear a bird and think “wow that is a really annoying bird” it’s 100% a blue jay
based on the current pattern of subtracting 2, the next logical funny number will be 65
January 3, 2026 at 1:04 AM
based on the current pattern of subtracting 2, the next logical funny number will be 65
observing an extraordinary collection of very rotund birds in the backyard. almost perfect orbs
December 31, 2025 at 5:12 PM
observing an extraordinary collection of very rotund birds in the backyard. almost perfect orbs