Changeable shared bus lane scheme for intersections based on lane signals

Abstract To address situations in which the bus lanes at intersections are idle for long periods, this paper proposes a changeable shared bus lane scheme for intersections based on lane signals. This scheme set up two GPS monitoring points for buses in the bus lane of the intersection to monitor the bus approaching the intersection. The lane signals linked to the monitoring points provide car drivers with a signal of whether they can enter the bus lane. This paper establishes an optimization model to maximize the number of vehicles entering the bus lane and uses numerical example simulations to discuss in detail the optimal monitoring point locations in different situations. Without affecting the bus, we obtain the optimal monitoring point setting schemes for several common situations and compare the total delay for ordinary vehicles in the bus lane of the lane-based signal scheme and a baseline case (without the lane-based signal). The results show that this scheme can effectively reduce vehicle delays at intersections. Finally, we discuss the limitations of this scheme and directions for future research.