A Comparison of Transit Signal Priority Strategies with Multi-step Detection at Isolated Intersections

Most of the previous studies on Transit Signal Priority (TSP) have assessed benefits of transit and impacts on other road users. However, the typical detection method of TSP contains two steps: Check-in and Check-out. A new... [ view full abstract ]

Most of the previous studies on Transit Signal Priority (TSP) have assessed benefits of transit and impacts on other road users. However, the typical detection method of TSP contains two steps: Check-in and Check-out. A new mechanism of multi-step detection (Advance call 1, Confirmation, advance call 2, and Check-out) to expand the signal timing adjustment scope for near-side bus stops is presented. Four models with multi-step detection are employed: No TSP, TSP, TSP with Phase Rotation (PR), and Custom TSP. The results show that TSP, TSP with PR and custom TSP can be considered for implementation in different scenarios. TSP with PR can provide significant benefits for bi-direction transit, and is especially suitable for trams in terms of average person delay. This study contains a number of instructions on how the described control algorithms based on logic rules can be implemented in traffic controllers.