Design LRT Signal Priority Strategy to Improve Arterial Traffic Mobility

In this research we studied the impact of Transit Signal Priority (TSP) on the arterial mobility. For the purpose of experiment we have chosen the 111^th Street corridor in Edmonton. Recently the LRT extension was carried out and the LRT passes through this intersection. What is peculiar to this intersection is that shopping mall, the LRT and transit bus stations are all located close-by. Moreover, the transit buses have to cross the LRT tracks for entry and exit from the station. For the purpose of analysis and optimizing the LRT crossing signals, we used the Ring Barrier Controller (RBC) and Vehicle Actuated Programming (VAP) in VISSIM. The three options explored were (a) LRT preemption, (b) LRT prediction priority (c) LRT/Transit Bus priority. In options (b) and (c), the arrival time of the LRT is predicted in advance and the signal phases are modified to ensure uninterrupted passage of the LRT. This leads to better performance as there is lesser number of signal changes compared to the first option. In the absence of dedicated bus lanes option (b) was found to be most beneficial.