RIPTA engaged McMahon to develop the Rhode Island Bus Stop Design Guide. The guidelines include bus stop design scenarios that emphasize pedestrian safety and accessibility, and provide recommendations on how RIPTA, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), and local communities, can successfully incorporate transit infrastructure into the state’s roadway network, in accordance with Complete Streets directives.

An important goal of the project was to develop a systematic approach for the inclusion of transit infrastructure in RIDOT roadway design projects, including a timeline for coordination between RIPTA and RIDOT and a standardized review process for both agencies to review the proposed transit infrastructure. Interviews with both RIPTA and RIDOT personnel were conducted to better understand the current process. The development of the guide also involved an extensive public outreach process that gathered input from riders, municipal officials, and other project stakeholders.

The completed Rhode Island Bus Stop Design Guide uses compelling graphics to clearly convey complex information to a public audience. The guide provides eleven bus stop layout scenarios that meet ADA and RIPTA accessibility requirements, and are suitable for a variety of roadway operating environments with varying types of pedestrian facilities. To identify policies and best practices, McMahon reviewed bus stop design manuals created by peer transit agencies and national guidelines, such as those by NACTO and AASHTO that incorporate strong transit elements in Complete Streets design. Elements such as bus stop and passenger amenities placement, bus stop configuration, integration of other modes including pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, transit priority measures, and parking impacts, are integrated into the design guide.