How does transit signal priority work?

Public transport vehicles are prioritized at traffic signals. Transit Signal Priority fits well with other priority options currently running, such as bus lanes, priority means, and more.

 

How does transit signal priority work?

The primary purpose of priority for public transport at traffic signals are:

  • Reduce the time taken to pass through crossings - Buses and trams pass through many signalized crossings. Calculating the total delay at all the crossings can add many minutes to the overall trip time. It is one of the significant causes of passenger frustration and increased operating costs. The objective is to align the bus with the green time better and thereby decrease delays.
  • Reduce the change of time taken to pass through a crossing - The amount of time passing through the intersection depends on whether the signal is green or red. It may need extra time to be added to the schedule, thus adding to resource costs. Minimization of variance is often the main reason for executing traffic signal priority for public transport vehicles.
  • Allows buses and trams to make movements not allowed to general traffic - It is usually implemented in union with other traffic management measures such as the entrance to busways, bus-only streets, or at cut-throughs at roundabouts.

 

The main techniques used are:


  • Adjust the stage or signal program phasing/timing when the public transport vehicle is recognized at or near the crossing.
  • The green period can be extended for a few more seconds until the vehicle has passed through.
  • If the signal is red - the conditions can be reduced so that the public transport vehicle gets a green light at the earliest occasion.
  • Adjust the stage phasing - change the sequence of the phases. 

 

Below-mentioned is some Advantages of Traffic Signal Priority for public transport vehicles:

  • Less delay at crossings, thereby reducing the overall running time
  • Less variance of time spent stopped at traffic signals, and hence enhance service security
  • Less vehicle support specifications and operating costs
  • Better customer satisfaction

 

Below-mentioned is some Advantages of Traffic Signal Priority for public transport vehicles:


  • Priority is not meant for everyone at any time. A balance needs to be maintained between the public transport vehicles and overall traffic.
  • One must maintain good working associations with the traffic authorities.
  • When numbers are very high and combined headways are more common than period lengths, only confined bus or tram section trips will receive preference.
  • The exact location of vehicles & transponders can be time-consuming, while maintenance of the hardware, especially loop detectors, can be costly. If we can't perform it correctly, it cannot get the desired priority and impose unnecessary delays on other traffic.

 

Get in Touch:

location: Manufactured By STC, Inc. 1201 W. Randolph St, McLeansboro, IL 62859

phone: Richard D’Alessandro: (214) 607-0100

Fax: (214) 607-0105

Email: info@emtracsystems.com

Web: https://www.emtracsystems.com/

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