Innovative Deployments to Enhance Arterials (IDEA)
MTC’s Innovative Deployments to Enhance Arterials (IDEA) is a technical assistance grant program that has been helping cities, counties and transit agencies improve the signal timing of major arterial roadways.
The Bay Area has over 3,500 miles of arterials (high-capacity roads) other than freeways that are used mainly for through travel. Many of these arterials carry heavy traffic and experience significant congestion during weekday peak periods.
IDEA TSP: Transit Signal Priority
The Innovative Deployments to Enhance Arterials Transit Signal Priority (IDEA TSP) program focuses on providing transit signal priority on arterials to make transit faster and more reliable. IDEA TSP funds were awarded to five transit priority projects in fall 2024. The IDEA TSP-funded projects may be completed as early as 2027.
TSP on arterial roadways improves transit travel time and reliability, while minimizing impacts to general traffic, by modifying the signal timing to favor transit only when a transit vehicle is present. By reducing red light delays for transit vehicles, TSP will help buses and light rail vehicles move more quickly, predictably and reliably.
When applied across a network of arterials, TSP can lead to:
- Shorter transit travel times
- More effective transit service that attracts new riders
- More reliable travel times, allowing for seamless transfers
- Lower operating costs and more revenue for transit agencies
- Fewer bus-automobile conflicts, improving safety
- Faster response times for emergency vehicles, which will be prioritized at these intersections
When transit is given priority on our roadways, buses and light rail vehicles are able to transport more people in a less stressful, less polluting and less costly manner. Making transit faster and more reliable also helps to address some of the inequities that exist in the current transportation system.
Staff Contact
Britt Tanner, IDEA TSP Program Manager
Phone: 415-778-4414
Email: btanner@bayareametro.gov
The Bay Area has over 33,000 directional miles of arterials and local streets, and approximately 11,000 traffic signals. Traffic congestion, especially during peak hours, can cause delays, safety hazards and air pollution.
