Introduction of PTPS into Sapporo city and effects of its operation

A public transportation priority system (PTPS) was introduced into the National Highway Route 36 within the City of Sapporo through the joint efforts of the Hokkaido Prefectural Police HQ and local bus companies. The Police HQ began operating the system in 1996 and subsequently expanded it in 1997. This paper outlines the configuration and functions of the PTPS and reports the results of the system operation, which were verified to be favorable due to the two-way optical communication between infrared beacons and in-vehicle units mounted on respective fixed-route buses.