NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell is rolling out new bus lanes from his Choose How You Move Transit Plan, and drivers will soon see the new lanes spread across Nashville.

The queue lane is a 1,400 foot bus lane that allows WeGo buses to bypass queued traffic when it gets backed up. A smart signal with a camera is also near the lane. The signal can read when a bus is at an intersection and allows it to pull in front of cars a few seconds before the rest of traffic.

Deputy Communications Director for the Mayor, Alex Apple, said the new lanes will help improve transit for riders across Nashville.

“When traffic is backed up for some ways, it puts the bus behind schedule and affects its convenience and reliability," Apple said. “So when the bus pulls up to the intersection, the light can read that it’s there for about five-to-seven seconds.”

Apple said once the bus pulls out and gets back into the lanes, the rest of traffic would proceed as normal. 

“This is not only good for transit riders which will find more reliable and on-time service, but it’s also good for drivers because we know transit is more convenient and reliable more people ride," he said.

The queue lanes on Murfreesboro Pike are just the start. The mayor’s office is planning to have more examples of the queued lanes so key corridors can move better.

Apple estimated the city will place 592 smart signals around the city over the next 15 years. He said that over the years, the city has not been able to invest in this type of technology, and now that they have dedicated revenue for it, they’re looking forward to seeing the change.

Murfreesboro Pike is home to Nashville’s highest transit ridership. Nolensville Road and Gallatin Road follow close behind with some of the highest riders. These three corridors are priority areas for the queued lanes since it’s a main road.

“A lot of our main roads, we’ve not had a chance to meaningfully work on or redesign with modern infrastructure in 50-60 years,” Apple said. “Think about how much Nashville has changed in 50-69 years.”

Apple claimed when the city makes improvements, transit ridership increases. 

While it’s going to take some time, Apple said it’s great to meaningfully invest in the city’s transportation infrastructure and help residents get around the city. 

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/middle-tn-neighborhood-news/queue-bus-lanes-are-making-an-entrance-in-nashville/