Richmond says ‘cutting-edge’ traffic project will make GRTC faster and city safer

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A new "cutting-edge" transportation project will make Richmond's public transit more efficient and help emergency vehicles get around the city faster, according to officials.

On Tuesday, July 29, the city announced its ambitious "Centralized Transit Signal Priority (TSP) and Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) Project," which officials said will equip Richmond with "one of the most advanced, fully integrated traffic signal systems in the nation."

As part of more than a decade of work, all 490 of Richmond's traffic signalized intersections were connected into a centralized transportation management system by the city's Department of Public Works (DPW).

A software system called Econlite Centracs Priority will be deployed that, in part, serves to link traffic signals to both the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) and the city's Emergency 911 Call Center, "ensuring real-time responsiveness for buses and emergency vehicles."

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The city's three "core goals" for this project include boosting transit reliability, increasing the speed of emergency response and providing safe access for all.

Through this new system, GRTC buses will be given priority at intersections, improving public transit efficiency, according to the city.

"Imagine a Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) bus, running just a few minutes behind schedule, approaching an intersection," the city said in a Tuesday press release. "Instead of idling at a red light, the signal extends its green, allowing the bus to glide through and stay on track."

Emergency vehicles like fire trucks will be able to "benefit from real-time [traffic] signal preemption." Traffic signals will "sense" their approach and turn red lights green to clear a path, "shaving precious seconds off response times," according to the city.

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“Every second counts when lives are on the line,” said interim Richmond Fire Chief Jeffrey Segal in the release. “This technology clears the way for our crews, ensuring we can reach emergencies faster and save more lives. It’s a lifeline for our city.”

On the whole, coordinated signals will reduce delays for all travelers -- whether you're "walking, rolling, biking [or] driving," per the city. This helps foster a "safer, more predictable transportation environment," the city said.

The system design and integration phase of this project will begin this fall. An initial 150 intersections to be equipped with this technology.

By the spring of 2027, the city hopes to have all of its intersections tested and this system fully deployed.

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"This project is a game-changer for Richmond’s transportation system,” said Michael B. Sawyer, the city's transportation engineer, in the release. “By integrating cutting-edge technology, we’re not just improving transportation safety — we’re building a safer, more equitable city where transit is more reliable and first responders can act swiftly.”