Project Description

Centralized transit signal priority has been added to all VTA Rapid, Frequent, and Local bus routes. The technology extends green lights, shortens red lights, or changes the order of lights to shorten the time buses wait at intersections. It uses software in a central location, equipment installed on buses, and communications infrastructure to track buses' locations and adjust signals as they approach.

The system needs less hardware than traditional transit signal priority systems. It uses artificial intelligence to analyze location data from VTA buses. This will improve the reliability of VTA buses getting to their destinations on time. We are adding the centralized transit signal priority upgrade at 671 traffic signals.

We are working with the software provider, VTA, and the City of Santa Clara to upgrade routes that cross multiple cities and jurisdictions.

Updates

• October 31, 2025: All routes now use centralized transit signal priority

Contact

If you have any questions or comments about the project, please email our Signal Operations team at: traffic.signals@sanjoseca.gov.

Resources

Learn more about the technology behind centralized transit signal priority.

Funding

This project is funded by the Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) and Bus Accelerated Infrastructure Delivery Fund (BusAID).

Project Map