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In this 2011 Past Presidents' Award paper the author modeled transit signal priority (TSP) and queue jumpers at six signalized intersections for the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in the City of Pleasanton, California. Vehicle actuated programming to model green extension, early green, and queue jumpers along the 2-mile-long corridor were used Two VISSIM models were developed for the alternative analysis: one with TSP operation and right-turn queue jumpers only and the other with TSP operation and both right-turn and left-turn queue jumpers. A maximum of 10 percent of the cycle length for extended green/early green to avoid deteriorating level of service for the rest of the traffic was used. It was found that TSP and queue jumpers helped reduce bus travel time by 30 percent without adversely affecting automobile traffic in the corridor. TSP and queue jumpers are most beneficial when congestion levels are higher. Intersections with higher v/c ratios for the corresponding through movement offer higher travel time savings for the bus when the intersection has TSP or queue jumpers. The VISSIM models will serve as planning tools to further understand TSP operation and queue jumpers in a BRT system.
Introduction
The FederalTransit Administration (FTA) encourages cities to consider and evaluate the benefits of implementing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Bus travel time savings, increases in bus ridcrship, and impacts on traffic operations need to be analyzed to evaluate the need to implement BRT. As part of FTA's Small Start Grants Program, the City of Pleasanton, CA, USA, received funding to evaluate a BRT system along the existing Bus Route 10. A VISSIM microscopic simulation program was used to analyze the proposed BRT operations. The VISSIM animations created as part of this study helped explain BRT operations and benefits to the general public and get them involved in corridor planning.
Project Overview
A key objective in the 2-mile-long Route 10 BRT project is to attract increased patronage and efficiently utilize Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority's (LAVTA) resources by expediting bus progression. Queue jumpers, preferential treatment of buses at traffic signals, traffic signal coordination, far-side bus stop locations, and off-board fare collection are strategies to expedite bus service through the corridor. Route enhancements would build upon LAVTA's Automatic Vehicle...