Introduction

The City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), in collaboration with the MTA, has successfully implemented an advanced Transit Priority System (TPS) project for buses along two major transit corridors in the Los Angeles Region. The TPS Project was developed by LADOT, and has received nationwide media attention. Furthermore, LADOT has received several awards for creativity and innovation from prominent organizations.

The TPS project is a critical element of the Metro Rapid Bus Demonstration Program that was jointly developed by LADOT and MTA. The initial phase of the Metro Rapid Bus was deployed on June 24, 2000, when the Metro Red Line subway was extended to the North Hollywood Stations in the San Fernando Valley. The purpose of the Metro Rapid Bus Demonstration Program is to offer rail-type frequent and high quality transit services connecting the terminus of the Red Line to major destinations in the outlining areas. The TPS project serves to improve the on-time performance of the Metro Rapid Bus by adjusting the signal timing at intersections for buses as their approach is detected. The TPS is also used to provide real-time next bus arrival information to passengers waiting at bus stations and assist bus fleet management by recording the travel time for each bus run. The Metro Rapid Bus program features limited stops and new low-floor clean-air buses.

Project Description

The TPS project involves adjusting timing of traffic signal on two of the most heavily traveled transit corridors in Los Angeles: Ventura Boulevard and Wilshire/Whittier Boulevards. The Ventura Boulevard Corridor, consisting of 88 signalized intersections and 16-miles of roadway, connects the Metro Red Line Station at Universal City to the Warner Center, a major commercial and business center in the West San Fernando Valley. The Wilshire/Whittier Boulevard Corridor, consisting of 123 signalized intersections and 14-miles of roadway, traverses through the central part of the Los Angeles Basin and connects East Los Angeles with the Central Business District, and the Cities of Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. Wilshire Boulevard is a prime business district with extensive commercial office buildings, museums and retail stores. Whittier Boulevard serves as a major east-west arterial in East Los Angeles and is fronted by a mixture of retail stores and residential area. These two streets are connected by the one-way street couplet of Fifth and Sixth Streets in the downtown Central Business District. The County of Los Angeles and the Cities of Beverly Hills and Santa Monica are not participants of this demonstration project, although the Metro Rapid Bus route extends 12 miles outside the City of Los Angeles.

The TPS Project also includes control of dynamic passenger information signs at selected bus shelters along the Metro Rapid Bus routes. These highly visible LED signs inform passengers of the estimated arrival times of the next Metro Rapid bus. The arrival time information is computed by the system based on the actual speed of the bus and is accurate to within one minute. LADOT staff also developed the sophisticated algorithm that calculates the arrival time.

Last Modified: Tuesday, August 05, 2003

Related Items: Appendix A - Project Implementation