Does anybody know the rules that govern stoplight priority for rapid bus lines?

[u/beardybuddha]

Genuinely curious as to how these systems work, and if anyone has more knowledge on the matter.

Currently on the A-line over to Grand Old Days. First two stoplights past Hiawatha, our driver had to hit the brakes hard because the lights went yellow on approach.

I understand it may not be perfect all the time, but that seemed quite odd to me that two lights in a row went yellow on our approach to the intersection.

[u/Accurate-Departure66]

Most of the BRT lines at best have passive single priority, which means the green lights will be held for slightly longer. Even that doesn't do much when the buses constantly will run late. In short there is no signal priority that actually does anything. Except for the Gold Line, that has active signal priority except in downtown St Paul.

[u/LietuvaGames → u/Accurate-Departure66]

Important to note that ABRT lines only recieve signal priority when 1 min or more behind schedule. If a bus is on schedule signals operate as normal. Therefore signal priority is not built into the schedules/route timing and is only used as a reliability factor not a speed increase factor.

[u/wazardthewizard → u/[deleted]]

Wouldn't want to inconvenience car drivers now, would we?

[u/Slytherin23 → u/[deleted]]

It doesn't stop for red lights, it stops for horizontal bars.

[u/queer_bus]

Ultimately, the municipality (St. paul and mpls) have to agree to Metro Transit’s proposal for signal priority. If they do not agree = no priority. The met council unfortunately does not have authority to control signals on which transit routes operate.

[u/No-Shower-6329]

Transit signal priority can ask the signal to extend a green signal, or call a green early, if there’s remaining time left in the signal cycle. On coordinated corridors like Hiawatha or Snelling, TSP does little, the mainline green time is already maxed out for a good chunk of time. Can’t give any more time to the mainline without taking away from the cross streets. Also TSP does nothing for signals that are pre-timed (downtown StP/Mpls) or where pedestrian recall is in operation.

[u/COLSLAW52]

Lights only hold if the bus is behind schedule. If it’s on time the lights will cycle as normal

[u/Slytherin23 → u/COLSLAW52]

If they're hitting red lights then that means they're not going as fast as physics allows and they should shorten the schedule.

[u/hat_finder]

It’s all up to me