New developments for bus priority at traffic signals in London using iBus

Buses in London play a vital role in the movement of the people in the capital. Recognising their importance, Transport for London (TfL) is continuing to implement a variety of measures to help buses. Among these measures, a recent addition is the implementation of a new automatic vehicle location (AVL) system for the bus fleet - iBus. TfL is now looking into various ways of giving bus priority at traffic signals using this facility. This paper will initially summarise the status of bus priority at traffic signals in London at the point iBus was introduced (2007–09). The paper will continue with a summary of the Research and Development process which has been proceeding alongside iBus commissioning, and results to date. R&D has been ongoing so that best use can be made of the new facilities in iBus for bus priority, once its ‘basic’ operational functioning has been confirmed. In broad terms, the new opportunities concern enhanced bus detection and new priority strategies.