This report explores common strategies that transit systems around the country have utilized to enhance the speed and efficiency of their bus services, and considers their potential for implementation in the Milwaukee area. These strategies may hold promise to improve transit connections for the regional workforce and enhance its appeal to the general population, including those who currently do not use transit. Major sources for our analysis include research conducted by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies and conversations with transit system planners from around the country.
With 17 different bus routes currently using portions of Wisconsin Avenue, and with several years of I-94 highway reconstruction approaching, the east-west corridor may be the ideal place to consider this range of possible bus system enhancements in Milwaukee. A few options include:
- Small Modification: Buses could be equipped with transit signal priority technology, which would allow buses to trigger green lights at busy intersections.
- Larger Modification: Dedicated bus-only lanes could be introduced, and bus-only shoulders that already exist in Waukesha County could be extended into Milwaukee County.
- Major Improvement: BRT could be added to the east-west corridor, providing faster service to the region’s two largest employment centers – downtown Milwaukee and the Regional Medical Center in Wauwatosa.