Evaluating the Impact of Curbside Bus Stop on Lateral Characteristics and Speed of Vehicles in Mixed Traffic

The current work attempts to investigate how curbside bus stops can influence the lateral movement characteristics and speed-maintaining behavior of different vehicles on an urban area. Using detailed vehicle trajectory data obtained from a six-lane divided road in Delhi with a curbside stop, the variations in vehicle movement patterns in the presence and absence of buses at the stops are examined. The results indicated a significant reduction in vehicle speeds and lateral separation when the bus stop was occupied, indicating the influence of bus stops in the vehicle movement patterns. Results on lateral placement further depicted a higher reduction in speed when the vehicle travels closer to the bus lane, as compared to when it travels toward the inner lane. Furthermore, the effect of bus dwell time on vehicle speed and lateral placement indicated a decreasing relationship for speed; however, as dwell time increases, vehicles prefer to travel toward the rightmost lane (inner lane). The findings can assist the policy makers to implement rational policies for improving traffic operations near curbside stops.