BaltimoreLink’s Transit Signal Priority Is Getting Buses Through Downtown Baltimore Faster

Since the launch of BaltimoreLink in June, the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration has installed transit signal priority (TSP) technology on buses traveling along key corridors. TSP allows buses to communicate with sensors on traffic signals upon approach, triggering extended green lights, and shortening red lights — thereby improving travel times and reliability for customers.

“We need to reduce travel time for riders on congested Baltimore city streets and TSP is helping us accomplish that goal,” said MDOT MTA Administrator Kevin Quinn. “With transit signal priority alone, we are seeing time savings of up to 21 percent on some downtown corridors in the morning. Combined with 5.5 miles of dedicated bus lanes in downtown Baltimore, certain routes are seeing a time savings of up to 25 percent, fulfilling BaltimoreLink’s promise of faster, more reliable transit.”

Riders on the CityLink Red traveling southbound from Towson Town Center to downtown Baltimore along York Road and Greenmount Avenue are experiencing reduced travel times of 21 percent, more than seven minutes off their typical 33-minute morning commute.

Riders on the CityLink Green traveling southbound from the Hillendale area to Baltimore’s Penn Station along Loch Raven Boulevard are experiencing reduced travel times of 20 percent, more than five minutes off their typical 25-minute morning commute.

Use of Transit Signal Priority also is bringing an additional benefit of reducing bus emissions due to less frequent stops and lower idling time, supporting MDOT MTA’s policy to conduct its mission in a manner that protects the environment, prevents pollution, and supports conservation of our natural and cultural resources.