Liverpool is getting new traffic light technology that can prioritise buses that are running late.
Intelligent Transport System (ITS)’s altered signal timings will be introduced at 31 junctions along the 86 and 86A bus routes in April.
The project is being delivered by the Liverpool City Region Bus Alliance and Liverpool City Council, financed through the Local Growth Fund.
ITS works by either extending the green signal as a bus approaches to allow it to continue without stopping, or by shortening the red light stage, allowing the bus to move sooner.
The technology uses Merseytravel’s existing real time information to identify if a bus is late, which avoids the cost of fitting additional equipment.
Bus users in Liverpool have said reliability is one of the key factors determining their satisfaction with the bus, and the perception of poor punctuality is preventing potential new users.
Howard Farrall, Arriva Merseyside MD, says: “This exciting new development will allow us to improve the punctuality of our buses, which can often be impacted by external factors such as congestion, and help to further improve our passengers' journey.”
The Liverpool City Region Bus Alliance, a partnership between Merseytravel, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Arriva and Stagecoach, is also looking at other ways this can be tackled. ITS is one approach alongside other initiatives such as improvements along the A59.
