¶ What is Smart Priority?
Kimley-Horn has deployed Centralized Transit Signal Priority (TSP) and Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) with municipalities and counties nationwide. Our signal preemption software system module (“Smart Priority”) provides cloud-based, centralized priority or preemption with no additional hardware required in the controller cabinet. Smart Priority can leverage existing on-board equipment and/or utilize a standalone iOS or Android GPS-enabled cellular mobile device running Kimley-Horn's Smart Priority Traction app.
Smart Priority can be used for a variety of modes, including:
» buses
» emergency response vehicles
» rail / light rail
» automated shuttles
» draw bridges
» horse buggies
» bikes
» pedestrians
Smart Priority can function in 2 ways: Using bus vector data when in proximity to a signal, or by setting up geofences* using KITS.
*Smart Priority does not require geofences to be operable, but the solution does support them for EVP and TSP to allow for more granular control when needed.
When the vehicle is detected by either of these two methods, the Smart Priority service issues the appropriate call to the controller based on the vehicle type using standard NTCIP commands. When the vehicle has exited the geofence zone, or after a configurable amount of dwell time within a zone, the Smart Priority service removes the call from the controller using the communication connection between the Smart Priority cloud and the signal.
¶ Benefits of using Smart Priority
- Increased adherence to schedule and headway
- Historical recording of performance metrics information
- Reduced maintenance costs by leveraging existing TMC communication infrastructure
- Cost effective scalability across large metropolitan areas
- More maintainable than legacy methodology
¶ Decision Flow Diagram
Below is an illustration of how the TSP system works when a bus is approaching the intersection.
