News

RTA, NCDOT, and GoTriangle have completed the year-long Freeway And Street-based Transit study for the Triangle.

The proposed Freeway And Street-based Transit (FAST) network concept is a scalable approach to transform our roadways into “multimodal corridors” that could provide significant and sustainable advantages for public transit, along with enhanced access and mobility for all modes of travel. 

The strategic goal of a FAST approach is to institutionalize “transit advantage” infrastructure on our state highway system.

Like bus rapid transit (BRT), this approach can be tailored to meet transit agencies of different sizes.

Initial study findings included an illustrative 2025 FAST network for the Triangle that would complement upcoming investments in bus rapid transit and commuter rail, directly serve RDU Airport and Research Triangle Park, and capitalize on ongoing and future highway projects.

The study subsequently incorporated a “deeper dive” into a US 70 in western Wake County, and the NC 147 / Durham Downtown area for a second location.

NCDOT has already begun advancing a number of policies inspired and informed by the FAST study. NCDOT is updating their roadway design manual to incorporate “transit advantage” infrastructure concepts, and updating the complete streets policy to include expanded transit facility accommodations. 

In addition, NCDOT has posted a FAST vision webpage, which includes links to the statewide FAST approach playbook as well as the Triangle study files. 

The City of Durham, with support from the Durham County Transit Plan, is also working to implement many of the recommendations from the FAST study – having awarded an engineering contract to develop and advance a number of improvements to enhance bus speed and reliability, such as priority transit lanes connecting the Durham Freeway and Durham Station.

RTA thanks all of our local, regional, and state partners for their support and engagement on the FAST effort. We applaud our longtime Leadership Team member VHB for leading the study, as well as the rest of their study team, which included fellow RTA members Stantec and Catalyst Design.

You can find more information here, including FAQs, comments from area transportation partners, and more.

The FAST study has also served as the foundation for the ongoing I-40 Transit Priority Shoulder pre-feasibility effort being led by RTA – more to come on this.

Let’s get moving,