ITSVA Annual Conference and Exposition May 2016 A Practical Approach to Transit Signal Priority: A Case Study of Memphis Tom Fox, Director Blacksburg Transit ITSVA Annual Conference and Exposition May 2016

The MATA System 10 Million annual riders Primarily radial system 35 routes (7 key corridors)

The Challenge Strong ridership on 2 Key Corridor routes #50 – Poplar Avenue #42 – Crosstown Significant traffic congestion in those corridors Constrained operating funds – adding service not an option

The Opportunity Federal/FTA competitive grant opportunity GPS-based technology in place Recent experience with similar system on rail trolley fleet Cooperative City Engineering Department Future use by emergency vehicles

The Project Signal priority for buses at traffic signals using Opticom equipment Poplar Avenue – 40 signals; 13 miles Elvis Presley Blvd/Bellevue Blvd – 17 signals; 10 miles Total – 57 signals; 23 miles GPS equipment installed on all 140 fixed route buses Traffic signal cabinets programmed Central Management software Primary benefit is to extend green lights

Implementation Sole source to GTT Technologies Turnkey contract – equipment & installation Vehicle equipment Traffic signal equipment Software & programming cabinets Portion of Elvis Presley Blvd deferred Approximately 15 month duration

Travel Time Improvement 20% travel time improvement on Poplar Ave. Based on 70 route segment samples

Budget Grant funding: Average cost per vehicle: $3,550 Federal/FTA: $759,000 Local/City of Memphis: $176,000 State/TN DOT: $14,000 Total: $949,000 Average cost per vehicle: $3,550 Average cost per traffic signal (including “back office” software and hardware): $8,000

Transferability Available technology Modest cost Priority settings are flexible Buy-in from traffic engineers Buy-in from first responders

Thank you!