An integrated control strategy for urban roads: a dynamic shared bus lane strategy combined with transit signal priority control

Urban traffic congestion remains a pressing challenge, requiring integrated signal control and lane management. This study proposes a strategy that combines a rule-based dynamic shared bus lane (DSBL) controller with modified NEMA signal control featuring transit signal priority. DSBL permits general vehicles to use the bus lane based on demand, while the signal controller adjusts phase timings to serve buses and maintain intersection efficiency. An enhanced cell transmission model captures intersection flow dynamics and supports coordinated operation. Simulations at a single intersection under eight saturation levels show that the proposed strategy reduces delay and congestion, with the largest gains under oversaturated conditions, compared with intermittent bus-priority lanes, DSBL with fixed-time signals, and dedicated bus lanes with fixed-time signals. Dynamic lane sharing consistently outperforms non-sharing schemes. Sensitivity tests further indicate that larger bus headways and longer approach links can reduce total passenger delay.