Evaluation of Transit Signal Priority Options for Future Bus Rapid Transit Line in West Valley City,Utah

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of different transit signal priorities (TSPs) for a future bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor in West Valley City, Utah. The goal was to find the optimal TSP strategy for estimated and planned traffic and transit operations. The study used VISSIM microsimulation software in combination with ASC/3 software-in-the-loop simulation. Four models were used in the analysis: no TSP, TSP, TSP with phase rotation, and custom TSP. The results showed that TSP with phase rotation and custom TSP could both be considered for implementation. TSP with phase rotation would provide significant benefits for BRT, with minimum impacts on vehicular traffic. Custom TSP would provide major benefits for BRT in travel times, delays, and stops. However, this strategy has more impact on vehicular traffic. Custom TSP is an advanced strategy that still needs examination and improvement. The study provides a set of instructions on how the described strategies can be implemented in field traffic controllers.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Smith

H.R.

, Hemily

, and Ivanovic

Transit Signal Priority (TSP): A Planning and Implementation Handbook. Intelligent Transportation Society of America, Washington, D.C., 2005.

Gifford

, Pelletiere

, and Collura

. An Analysis of the Issues, Concerns, Needs and Requirements Associated with Traffic Signal Preemption and Priority in the Washington, D.C. Region. Proc., 11th ITS America Meeting: ITS Connecting the Americas. Miami Beach, Fla., ITS America, Washington, D.C., 2001.

Kamdar

Evaluating the Transit Signal Priority Impacts Along the U.S. 1 Corridor in Northern Virginia. Master's thesis. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Falls Church, 2004.

Head

L. K.

Improved Traffic Signal Priority for Transit. TCRP Interim Report No A-16A. TRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 1999.

Langdon

S. M.

Simulation of Houston Light Rail Transit Predictive Priority Operation. ITE Journal, Vol. 72, No. 11, 2002, pp. 28–32.

Zlatkovic

, Martin

P. T.

, and Stevanovic

Predictive Priority for Light Rail Transit: University Light Rail Line in Salt Lake County, Utah. In Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2259, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C., 2011, pp. 168–178.

Zlatkovic

, Martin

P. T.

, and Stevanovic

Evaluation of Transit Signal Priority in RBC and ASC/3 Software-in-the-Loop Simulation Environment. Presented at 89th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 2010.

Winters

K.E.

, and Abbas

M.M.

Optimization of Transit Signal Priority Extensions Along an Uncoordinated Arterial. Presented at 90th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 2011.

, Head

L. K.

, and Ding

A Heuristic Algorithm for Priority Traffic Signal Control. Presented at 90th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 2011.

10.

Martin

P.T.

, and Zlatkovic

Evaluation of Transit Signal Priority Strategies for Bus Rapid Transit on 5600 West Street in Salt Lake County, Utah. MPC-09-213A. Mountain–Plains Consortium, Fargo, N.Dak., 2010.