The N.C. Department of Transportation and its partners are continuing efforts to improve roads for public transportation with the Freeway, Arterial, Street and Tactical Transit Vision Study.
Known as FAST 2.0, the study will make recommendations to create a more timely and efficient public transportation system in the Triangle region.
The study will include a review of proposed Bus Rapid Transit corridors (dedicated lanes that do not interrupt the flow of traffic and provide more efficient service for riders), and other roads in the Triangle region. There may also be an examination of potential connections in additional counties in the metropolitan area.
The FAST 2.0 vision study area includes Chatham, Durham, Johnston, Orange and Wake counties.
Public engagement for FAST 2.0 will occur in mid-2025 and the study is expected to be released in June 2025. FAST 2.0 will build upon the findings outlined in the FAST 1.0 study, which was released in September 2022.
- Improve the quality of life for all residents in the Triangle region
- Provide safe, reliable and high-quality transit services
- Enhance bus-based mobility and ensure equitable access to regional transit
- Provide competitive transit choices to connect the community and increase economic opportunities
- Address the diverse needs of residents by providing faster and more convenient service and better connectivity between different modes of public transportation
- Cater to both local needs and regional connectivity
- Evaluate opportunities to prioritize buses and Bus Rapid Transit regionally
- Improve connectivity across the region by coordinating transit projects.
- Assess the regional transportation network for efficiency and effectiveness
- Assess the regional transportation network for efficiency and effectiveness.
- Create direct Bus Rapid Transit connections to Raleigh-Durham International Airport from the Research Triangle to other cities in the region.
- Choose one freeway and five arterial corridors for transit priority infrastructure enhancements
- Evaluate the application of various transit priority infrastructure improvements for the selected corridors.
- Propose transit infrastructure projects and develop a sequenced implementation plan.
- Suggest changes to local, regional and institute NCDOT practices for integrating transit within highway planning and design
- Leverage existing regional transit working groups (such as Metropolitan Planning Organization and GoTriangle transportation committees) to continue coordinating regional transit planning with NCDOT.
The regional transportation network was reviewed through data analysis of existing conditions and with input from stakeholders to identify challenges, gaps and opportunities in the existing transit system. Future analysis will lead to identification of locations where transit infrastructure should be considered.
This map shows the priority corridors that are part of the regional network that were identified and analyzed in-depth as part of the project.
The Freeway & Street-based Transit Vision Study, now called FAST 1.0, focused primarily on public transit improvements in the Research Triangle Park in Wake County. The study explored Bus Rapid Transit, Bus On Shoulder System and other road improvements.
When FAST 2.0 is complete, recommendations from both studies will be used statewide and tailored to meet the needs of rural and urban transit agencies.
Read FAST 1.0 Study
Bus Rapid Transit
Creating a Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT, system that gives priority to buses on roads at intersections and at dedicated bus lanes. BRT would enable buses to get commuters to their destinations quicker by bypassing rush-hour traffic, for instance.
Bus On Shoulder System (BOSS) & other road enhancements
Beefing up features already being used such as the Bus on Shoulder System in which certain buses are allowed to travel on the shoulders of designated interstates and highways to keep them on schedule.
Transit signal priority, etc.
Adding transit signal priority and queue jumps at intersections so buses would be able to bypass stopped traffic and access specially designated lanes so they can stay on time.
Increasing bus stops & stations
Increasing the number of bus stops and stations with near level boarding so people can board buses faster.
What Action is NCDOT Taking?
NCDOT recently updated its
Complete Streets policy to more fully
incorporate public transportation, and is actively revising the State Roadway Design Manual to include transit-supportive infrastructure elements supported by the results and objectives of the FAST study.