Public transport and traffic lights < Traffic lights - SCATS < Using roads

Buses

Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) has developed a system known as PTIPS (Public Transport Information and Priority System) which is a key component of Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority)’s Bus Priority strategy.

PTIPS works closely with SCATS to manage traffic light timing so buses run as close as possible to their timetable. GPS (Global Positioning Systems) and radio data communications deliver information about buses and their location, which can be used to forecast the arrival time of the bus at traffic signals. If a bus is running late, SCATS can alter traffic signal timing to allow the bus to maintain its scheduled timetable, giving bus passengers a more reliable service and letting bus operators schedule their buses more efficiently.

The technology can also be used to forecast arrival times at bus stops, with the potential to provide passengers with real-time information about the arrival of their bus. Currently PTIPS provides information to a SMS service for phones to find out if the bus is on time and what its current schedule time of arrival at bus stops will be.

The initial trial was conducted and successfully run on three strategic bus corridors in metropolitan Sydney: Bondi Junction to Burwood, Miranda to Hurstville, and Liverpool to Bankstown. PTIPS is now fully operational having been deployed on approximately 2,500 state owned buses with the roll out continuing to private bus companies, when this is complete all 4,500 buses will be using PTIPS.

Watch an animation of PTIPS in action

Click on the image (left) to watch an animation of PTIPS in action.
As a bus approaches a set of traffic lights a signal is sent to activate the 'B' light which allows the bus to travel through the intersection before the rest of the traffic. (duration: 18 seconds, file size: 1MB).

NOTE: To view the video you will need Flash 8 or above. Click here to download the latest Adobe Flash player. Videos are best viewed with a high speed (broadband) Internet connection. Users with a lower speed connection (dial-up) may experience delays when viewing videos.

Sydney Light Rail

Each Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) is fitted with a transponder at front and rear which is detected by SCATS as the LRV approaches an intersection controlled by a white T light. The rear transponder terminates the T light.

More information

Public Transport Information and Priority System (PTIPS)

Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) and Ministry of Transport are working on implementing 43 strategic bus corridors across the Sydney metropolitan area.