1. Bus Lane with Intermittent Priority

2. Overhead Lane-Use Control Signals
BLIP Concept
Bus Lane with Intermittent Priority (BLIP)
Exclusive bus lane provided when bus is present
BLIP lane controlled with
Overhead Lane-Use Control Signals
In-Pavement Lights

3. BLIP Operations All lanes open to traffic prior to bus arriving.
Approaching bus is detected.
Overhead lane-use control signals activate.
In-pavement lights activate.
Traffic begins exiting BLIP lane.
Bus enters cleared BLIP lane.
As bus clears a block, lane reopens.
This process continues until bus exits BLIP lane.
BLIP lane remains open until next bus is detected.

4. Lane-use control signals
BLIP Concept
Features
BLIP lane
BLIP Start
BLIP End
Signal
In-Pavement Lights
Bus detection
Lane-use control signals
= Lane open to general purpose traffic
= Lane open to bus only

5. BLIP Concept
All lanes open
BLIP Start
BLIP End

6. BLIP Concept Bus approaches BLIP lane BLIP End BLIP Start
Approaching bus detected
Lane-use control signals change
In-pavement lights flash

7. BLIP Concept General purpose traffic exits BLIP lane BLIP End
BLIP Start
BLIP End

8. BLIP Concept
Bus enters cleared BLIP lane
BLIP Start
BLIP End

9. BLIP Concept Bus travels along BLIP lane BLIP End BLIP Start
Lane reopens to general purpose traffic after bus travels through each block

10. BLIP Concept
Return to all lanes open
BLIP Start
BLIP End

11. Key Benefits Bus travel time reduced Bus schedule reliability improved
Exclusive bus lane provided only when needed!
Strategy fits within existing right-of-way
Existing property access maintained

12. Key Challenges Public information/education campaign is required
Requires driver compliance
Enforcement may be needed
Traffic delays may increase under specific conditions

13. BLIP Applicability Transit service can benefit from an exclusive lane
Right-of-way is limited
Balance can be found between transit benefits + traffic impacts
Compatible with Transit Signal Priority to maximize transit benefits

14. Where has it been applied
University Avenue, Lisbon, Portugal
Melbourne, Australia

15. Next Steps
Microsimulation for Feasibility Study