RTA Partner in TSP Work

November 18, 2015

The CTA just issued this important press release about two express routes returning next month.   The RTA is a partner in the technology that makes this possible, called transit-signal priority  or TSP.

TSP upgrades traffic signals to provide faster, more efficient bus operations. Through TSP, buses communicate with signal controllers to hold green lights longer or shorten red lights to allow buses to proceed through the light, which improves bus reliability with minimal impacts on overall traffic.

Our Executive Director Leanne Redden spoke about this earlier this year.  “The RTA is funding technology to speed up buses and create efficiencies to benefit riders across the region,” said Redden. “We are proud to partner with the CTA, CDOT and other transportation stakeholders to secure this funding and facilitate this important project.”

Redden went on to note that in 2012, the RTA secured a $36 million federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) grant and is providing $4 million in local match to fund program management, engineering and implementation of the program.   She explained that approximately half of these funds have been committed to CTA.

TSP work is spearheaded by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) in partnership with the RTA.   Read more