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    1. Technology
    2. Miscellaneous

    SamTrans completes transit signal prioritization pilot project in East Palo Alto

    Aug. 25, 2022
    The new technology allows buses to move more efficiently on San Mateo County roads, bypassing traffic and ensuring riders get to their destination faster.
    Related To: San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans)
    SamTrans
    Tsp Picture3 Samtrans 6307915eb4e0b

    A pilot project for a cloud-based transit signal priority system (iTSP) was completed successfully by SamTrans in East Palo Alto, Calif., allowing bus riders to move through the high traffic corridor more easily and efficiently.  

    For the pilot project, the coalition deployed LYT’s Artificial Intelligence-powered TSP technology, called LYT.transit, on a corridor consisting of four signalized intersections in East Palo Alto. iTSP allows traffic lights to hold for a few additional seconds when a bus is coming, allowing it to pass through and stay on schedule, while also ensuring its passengers are not overly impacted by traffic. Traditional transit signal prioritization systems use sensors and transponders to determine when a prioritized vehicle is approaching an intersection, holding the light so it can pass through uninterrupted as the existing TSP system on El Camino Real does already. By contrast, iTSP predicts the arrival time of buses using advanced machine-learning algorithms based on historical travel time and real-time traffic conditions, and communicates with signals using existing network infrastructure, requiring less hardware installation and lower costs. 

    The pilot reduced northbound intersection delays by 45 percent, while southbound intersection delays dropped 19 percent. This amounted to an 18 percent reduction in travel time for northbound buses and a seven percent reduction for southbound buses. These are substantial improvements which would help to improve on-time performance and make buses more competitive with single occupancy vehicles for local transportation needs.  

    “Our solutions keep transit vehicles moving for a more reliable and consistent rider experience, while minimizing the impact to other road users. Better transit helps to build better communities and increases the quality of life for all residents. We’re excited about the results we saw during our pilot in one of the area's most congested corridors,” said Tim Menard, CEO and founder, LYT. “Traffic management systems driven by Artificial Intelligence and machine learning principles are now benefitting entire regions and transforming cities into places where people can live, work and move more freely.”   

    With more than $178,000 of funding from the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG), SamTrans partnered with Sustainable Silicon Valley (SSV), the city of East Palo Alto and LYT on this four-month pilot program, which ran from November 2021 through February 2022.  

    “We want to keep transit on the cutting edge of the latest technology,” said SamTrans Board Chair Pete Ratto. “iTSP has shown itself to be a great tool in accomplishing that goal.” 

    SamTrans recently implemented non-cloud-based TSP infrastructure on El Camino Real which has been operational since 2021. El Camino Real is the home of the ECR, which is the most popular route in the SamTrans system. The LYT/SSV team will present the project findings in a Special Presentation to the City of East Palo Alto City Council at the September 20th, 2022, City Council meeting. SamTrans will be considering future investments in TSP technology as part of a future countywide TSP plan.