In transport engineering nomenclature, a counterflow lane or contraflow lane is a lane in which traffic flows in the opposite direction of the surrounding lanes.
Contraflow lanes are often used for bicycles or bus rapid transit on what are otherwise one-way streets. In a sample configuration for busses, a street might have four lanes: the outermost lanes are reserved for buses in both directions, while the center two lanes are available for general traffic in only one direction. Thus, the street functions as two-way for buses, but one-way for all other vehicles.
Contraflow lanes can also be used to extend the capacity of separated limited-access roads when there are physical constraints. For example, part of the southbound HOV lane on I-5 between Seattle and Tacoma is a contraflow lane on what is otherwise the northbound side of the highway.
In certain situations, reversible lanes will be contraflow for a portion of the day. The Exclusive Bus Lane in the Lincoln Tunnel is a contraflow lane for buses during the morning peak period.
Read more about Contraflow Lane: Bicycle Contraflow Lanes
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