1. 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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

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

10. Thank you!