Georgia Smart Communities Transit Research Project - Streamlining Suburban Transit
In partnership with the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), Georgia Tech, and the City of Dunwoody, the City of Sandy Springs studied the use of innovative Transit Signal Priority (TSP) technologies along MARTA Bus Route 5.
Transit Signal Priority (TSP) is an operational strategy in which transit vehicles communicate with traffic signals along a route to request minor signal timing adjustments intended to improve transit reliability and travel time.
The Sandy Springs TSP Pilot Project used bus location data published through an application programming interface (API) that provided access to MARTA bus tracking information.
This approach differed from other TSP systems because it did not require additional hardware installed onboard buses.
The project successfully demonstrated TSP functionality and interoperability across jurisdictions. Transit on-time performance and travel times along the route were also evaluated.
Future studies may evaluate additional operational impacts to the broader transportation network.
The Sandy Springs and Dunwoody TSP Pilot Project helps inform communities throughout the metro Atlanta region and may influence how Transit Signal Priority is implemented across Georgia to improve transit ridership, reliability, and operational efficiency.
Project Documents
- Project Fact Sheet (PDF opens in new tab)
- Transit Signal Priority Implementation Plan (PDF opens in new tab)
Events
August 12, 2021
Transit Signal Priority Workshop for Regional Transit Operators
The workshop was held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
September 9, 2021
Final Project Presentation Webinar
The webinar was held from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Sesame Street Live: Elmo's Got the Moves
