AMHERST- HADLEY- NORTHAMPTON- TRANSIT SIGNAL PRIORITY UPGRADES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS

This purpose of this project is to implement a High Priority Transit Signal Priority (TSP) system along the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority’s heavily utilized B43 route; in addition the project has the potential to improve traffic operations on both state- and municipally-owned roadways within the project limits by prioritizing traffic flow along principal arterial roadways over their intersecting streets. The B43 route connects Amherst town center with UMass Amherst, the Route 9 corridor in Hadley (including the Hadley malls), and downtown Northampton. The B43 has one of the highest ridership volumes in the PVTA transit system and could potentially attract additional ridership if service was improved. The deployment of TSP technology is an effective measure to improve the running time for the B43 with minimal effort. The project will include the evaluation and potential upgrade of signal controllers and appurtenances for up to eleven intersections.