Fischer-Hallman Transit Priority Feasibility Study
The Region of Waterloo is completing a transit priority feasibility study along Fischer-Hallman Road and Bearinger Road. The study aims to make transit faster and more reliable.
The study area includes:
- Fischer-Hallman Road, between New Dundee Road and Laurelwood Drive.
- Bearinger Road between Laurelwood Drive and Westmount Road.
Study areaThe Region’s 2018 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) defines a vision to optimize the existing transportation system and promote transportation choices by increasing transit ridership. In keeping with this vision, the TMP recommends the following projects:
- Widening Fischer-Hallman Road between Columbia Street and Highway 7/8 to add transit lanes.
- Widening Bearinger Road/Fischer-Hallman Road from Columbia Street to Westmount Road (underway).
The study area was extended south of Highway 7/8 to support ongoing development in southwest Kitchener. The study will analyze where transit priority measures are needed and also identify opportunities for better walking and biking facilities to improve access to transit and safety conditions for all road users. With your input, the Region will determine short-term improvements and a long-term vision for Fischer-Hallman Road.
What are transit priority measures?
Transit priority measures (TPMs) are physical, regulatory, and technological changes that reduce transit delays, helping travellers get where they're going faster and more reliably. TPMs include a variety of improvements, ranging from changes to signage and traffic signals to the addition of dedicated bus lanes. TPMs help keep transit vehicles moving, making service more efficient and attractive for travellers. In this study, three types of TPMs will be examined:
1. Regulatory measures
Regulatory measures are transit priority measures that can be applied through existing legislation/regulations, typically through signage and/or pavement markings. Turn restrictions are an example of regulatory measures.
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2. Transit signal priority
Transit signal priority (TSP) prioritizes public transit vehicles at traffic signals to improve travel time and reliability. The Region already uses TSP along the ION route and for buses at King and Victoria streets in Kitchener and in some segments along University Avenue in Waterloo and Hespeler Road in Cambridge.
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3. Physical measures
Physical measures include continuous and/or localized changes to road geometry – how the road is laid out. Continuous measures are implemented at multiple intersections and/or road segments, while localized measures only exist at one locale. These measures include:
- Dedicated transit lanes: Dedicated transit lanes are a portion of the street designated by signs and markings for the preferential or exclusive use of transit vehicles, sometimes permitting limited use by other vehicles.
- Queue jump lanes: Queue jump lanes are dedicated public transit or turning lanes that allows public transit vehicles to bypass traffic queues through a signalized intersection, typically with a receiving lane on the other side of the intersection.
- Diamond lanes: Diamond lanes are reserved for transit use and shared with bicycles, taxis and vehicles with three or more people. These lanes can be reserved full-time or only be reserved for specific times of the day or days of the week.
 Curbside bus lane |  Diamond lane |
 Queue jump lane paired with a near-side transit stop |  Queue jump lane paired with a far-side transit stop |
Public Consultation Centre #1:
The Region of Waterloo invites you to attend an online Public Consultation Centre (PCC) #1 for the Fischer-Hallman Transit Priority Feasibility Study Project. The purpose of PCC #1 will be to provide an overview of the study, provide information on existing conditions, and provide an overview of the evaluation process.
When: Tuesday December 3, 7 p.m.
Where: Online. Zoom link: https://regionofwaterloo.zoom.us/j/92164515496?pwd=LxVj1a3zUCzbv8hCtcnZHkUHKzlBdQ.1
A recording of the presentation will be made available on this webpage.
There will be a survey open until December 17, 2024.