Philadelphia is currently in the process of preparing to launch a new pilot program that uses technology that would give SEPTA buses at traffic signals, writes Mike DeNardo for KYW Newsradio.
In the city’s latest effort to help improve bus speed and reliability, the pilot would allow SEPTA buses to get longer green lights or shorter red lights.
Through GPS technology, a bus that approaches a signalized intersection would be given priority with an extended green light. The system will use software from California-based firm LYT, along with Philadelphia’s existing traffic signal controllers.
The pilot program is expected to be tested at 20 intersections within the city, specifically in the area bounded by Callowhill and South streets, along with Broad and 6th streets.
“What we hope to see is improvements in the overall times because buses are moving more smoothly through these very congested areas,” said SEPTA spokesman Andrew Busch. “We’ll see how the pilot performs and what the data looks like once we start getting it back. But there’s a number of routes that could benefit from this technology.”
While no final decision has made on which buses will test the system, Busch indicated Route 47 as a possibility due to its high ridership.
Read more about Philly’s newest plan to for its bus routes in KYW Newsradio.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on PHILADELPHIA Today in March 2025.
