New Caltrans concept envisions high-speed buses linking major cities from Sacramento to S
New Caltrans concept envisions high-speed buses linking major cities from Sacramento to S
New Caltrans concept envisions high-speed buses linking major cities from Sacramento to S
Caltrans is studying the possibility of high-speed buses traveling up to 140 miles per hour on California freeways, an idea transportation leaders say could one day transform long-distance travel across the state.
“This project is simply exploring long-term possibilities,” said Mehdi Moeinaddini of Caltrans.
The concept envisions connecting locations such as Sacramento, the Bay Area, Los Angeles and San Diego through dedicated freeway lanes, transit hubs and long-distance express bus service.
“Long-distance travel by bus could become an attractive and affordable way to go between California metropolitan areas,” said Ryan Snyder of Caltrans.
Researchers are also examining international examples, including South Australia’s Adelaide O-Bahn busway system and the Netherlands’ Superbus prototype, as part of the study into what could work in California.
One proposal outlined during a recent Caltrans webinar estimated a trip between San Francisco and Los Angeles could take about 3 hours and 12 minutes at speeds around 120 miles per hour.
The preliminary Caltrans review found current U.S. freeways are generally designed for speeds up to about 85 miles per hour, meaning faster bus travel would require significant infrastructure upgrades, dedicated lanes, redesigned vehicles and advanced safety technology. Researchers also pointed to the need for automated driving systems, advanced braking technology and vehicle-to-everything communication systems to help improve safety at higher speeds.
“High-speed buses could, one day, provide some of the speed advantage at a lower cost using existing freeway corridors once the technology is ready,” Moeinaddini said.
Snyder said Interstate 80, Interstate 5 and U.S. 101 are strong candidates for interregional routes, while State Route 99 could serve as an ideal starting corridor because of its connections through the Central Valley, including Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto, Stockton and Sacramento.
The proposal remains in the early research stage, with major questions still surrounding cost, safety and feasibility.
“It might offer as a complementary option alongside existing solutions like rail, not to replace them,” Moeinaddini said.
Caltrans said station construction would likely be one of the most expensive parts of the project, though officials suggested some costs could potentially be offset through station development projects built over portions of freeways.
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