Far-Side Bus Stops
Far-side bus stops are located immediately after an intersection, allowing the vehicle to pass through the intersection before stopping for passenger loading and unloading. When the bus reenters the traffic stream, the upstream signal regularly generates gaps in traffic allowing buses to reenter the traffic lane. Far-side stops require shorter deceleration distances and provide for additional right turn capacity by eliminating bus blockage within the curb lane on the approach to the intersection. Additionally, the location of the stop encourages pedestrians to cross behind the bus. For these safety and capacity benefits, far-side stops are preferred by IDOT (Bureau of Local Roads & Streets Manual, Special Design Elements, IDOT, pg. 41-4(1), 2006) and Pace if traffic signal and geometry conditions are favorable.