Transit signal priority
Transit signal priority (TSP) modifies the traffic signal timing at intersections to favor transit vehicles. Like any vehicle, a bus or train that just misses a green light must wait until the next green cycle, which can take 30 to 60 seconds or more. By using TSP, delays can be reduced, improving reliability and the customer experience.
TSP has been installed at 163 intersections, with many more planned. In the next few years TSP will be added to most intersections on new METRO lines, and at select intersections on local bus routes.
Looking ahead, Metro Transit will explore “hardware lite” TSP systems that use internet communication between the bus driver, a cloud-based server, and traffic signals to generate and send requests for priority. These promise to provide greater flexibility and faster deployment.