MBTA Buses & Infrastructure

View attachment IMG_6793.jpegNew wayfinding maps at Dawes Island. I really like how the High Frequently Routes are represented in a different color and how the once that specifically use this bus stop are at full contrast whilst all other routes are faded. This makes it very clear what goes where and how to navigate around. There are also new maps of the Harvard Station interior layout but I apparently neglected to take a picture of them.
 
View attachment 59169New wayfinding maps at Dawes Island. I really like how the High Frequently Routes are represented in a different color and how the once that specifically use this bus stop are at full contrast whilst all other routes are faded. This makes it very clear what goes where and how to navigate around. There are also new maps of the Harvard Station interior layout but I apparently neglected to take a picture of them.
Do they realize all of the maps they are installing will have to be replaced every year when the next BNRD phases go into effect?
 
46 more boarded
That sounds like the effect of combining the 104 and 109 together. I wonder how many people there now have to transfer at Everett Sq to continue to homes and businesses on Ferry St?
 
Do they realize all of the maps they are installing will have to be replaced every year when the next BNRD phases go into effect?
I'm sure they do realize - but - I'm kind of doubtful that they'll replace every single one in a timely manner.
 
Do they realize all of the maps they are installing will have to be replaced every year when the next BNRD phases go into effect?
I believe the plan is to only update maps at stations/stops affected by the current phase of BNRD, as well as all rail vehicles. This seems to be confirmed by this slide from November's board meeting, and the presenter echoed the same remarks when asked about map replacements.

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Do they realize all of the maps they are installing will have to be replaced every year when the next BNRD phases go into effect?


They already seem to have tapped the MPO for that

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This would back up this assertion:
I believe the plan is to only update maps at stations/stops affected by the current phase of BNRD, as well as all rail vehicles. This seems to be confirmed by this slide from November's board meeting, and the presenter echoed the same remarks when asked about map replacements.

View attachment 59173
 
This is somewhat tangential, but one of Boston's participatory budget ideas is for bus stop bench installation. More specifically:
Funding: $450,000

This proposal will allow the City's Transportation Department to install approximately 150 benches at high-ridership bus stops across the City.

The project will prioritize neighborhoods with the greatest need, including lower-income areas and environmental justice zones, while ensuring accessibility for those who may have difficulty standing, such as older adults and individuals with disabilities. Bench designs will be selected based on the context of each location to maximize comfort and usability.

For more information and for budget voting: https://www.boston.gov/departments/participatory-budgeting/ideas-action-cycle-one-proposals
 
Brookline already has TSP for the C branch, there are no street running segments in Newton.
Well, only BC station, but sure (and I believe the last light on the line is in Boston). Boston should do the rest (but the T announcement did not specify the Green Line).
 
Interesting - looks to be a purely software based that doesn't require hardware being deployed to individual intersections. Evidently Boston has centralized control over all of its lights already, and the MBTA OCC knows where every vehicle is, so if they're connected on the backend the ML system they're talking about likely has all the input it needs to know how long / when to give a bus priority... It's fairly straightforward now that I'm thinking about it, but it's absolutely cool that it's being implemented.
 
Route 1A in East Boston was closed for hours Monday after a bus knocked down several utility poles and electrical transformers, officials said.
Just before 3 p.m. , outbound lanes on Route 1A northbound reopened, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation said in a post on X. Southbound lanes are set to remain closed for the Monday evening commute until at least 12 a.m.
 
Evidently Boston has centralized control over all of its lights already
*Most. Whenever a signalized intersection in the city gets replaced/reconfigured it gets upgraded to a controller that communicates with the TMC at City Hall. 10 years ago it was something like 70% of signals in the city were networked. I'm sure there's some small junctions that still haven't been upgraded but I think at this point all the big ones have.
 
Well, only BC station, but sure (and I believe the last light on the line is in Boston). Boston should do the rest (but the T announcement did not specify the Green Line).
I believe the only relevant automobile signals, including the one at Lake & Commonwealth, are in the City of Boston. Tracks enter Newton as they enter the station/yard, so I don't think Newton would need to be involved for TSP.
 
From a BNRD project update email today:

- About 1400 daily riders using the 104 segment to the Airport.
- Phase 1 required 60 additional bus operator hires above prior service (320 total for the routes involved)
 
- About 1400 daily riders using the 104 segment to the Airport.

That's pretty poor ridership for the level of service, no? I know the 104 is kind of leading some TOD coming down the road, do we know what they were aiming for in terms of ridership?
 
That's pretty poor ridership for the level of service, no? I know the 104 is kind of leading some TOD coming down the road, do we know what they were aiming for in terms of ridership?
Last available data for the 104/109 combined via Transitmatters was 7,775 second week of October '24. 1400 is 18% of that from one segment of one of those routes so that's pretty good. Almost 1 in 5 riders. Though I'd assume the ridership from the separated and consolidated routes would be higher lowering the percent a few.
 

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