TransCore's intelligent transportation systems (ITS) unit has teamed with the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) to design and develop the first automated connection protection system that reduces the number of passengers who miss their transfer from the city's light rail system to the city bus. The system is now installed at all 20 TRAX stations, the city's light rail system, and is used on select routes. Initial results show that on average eight buses are held each day, with a minor deferment in departure. Using GPS and radio technology, rail arrival and departure information is automatically relayed to the connection protection system. The system correlates the expected time of train arrivals with connection departures. Then the system determines when to hold a bus and how long a bus can wait. An automated message is sent to the bus driver instructing him to wait until a specific time for the arriving train. Information is relayed between trains, buses and the transit authority through mobile data terminals, which are mounted on both trains and buses. The terminals on trains contain a GPS receiver that provides location information via a 900 MHz radio.
TransCore and UTA reduce missed transfers with system
Initial results show that on average eight buses are held each day, with departures delayed from three to 15 minutes.
More Management

People Movement: New NTSB Vice Chair, HDR, and More
METRO’s People Movement highlights the latest leadership changes, promotions, and personnel news across the public transit, motorcoach, and people mobility sectors.
Read More →
San Diego Transit Agencies Propose Fare Hike to Close Budget Gaps
The agencies, San Diego MTS and NCTD - San Diego Railroad, which share a fare system (PRONTO), proposed the changes to help address their respective financial sustainability strategies.
Read More →
Inside Monterey-Salinas Transit’s New Approach to Ridership Recovery
See how the agency is aligning service with shifting travel patterns, delivering ridership gains while advancing equity across its system.
Read More →
Inez Evans Benson on Rethinking Transit Through Customer Experience
The WSP leader discusses why agencies must look beyond satisfaction metrics and take a more holistic, community-driven approach to service.
Read More →
Alstom Delivers First Multilevel III NJ TRANSIT Commuter Railcar
The delivery marks the first car in a 374‑vehicle order and begins the arrival of a new generation of higher‑capacity, more reliable, and more comfortable trains for one of the country’s busiest commuter rail systems.
Read More →
Cincinnati Metro Begins Countywide Bus Stop Sign Upgrade
Metro launches a 24-month project to replace 3,700 bus stop signs, introducing improved visibility, QR-enabled rider info, and expanded amenities across Hamilton County.
Read More →
San Francisco's BART Breaks Multiple Records for Post-Pandemic Ridership in March
BART recorded 5,403,140 exits in March, making it the highest monthly ridership since the pandemic and surpassing the previous high set in October 2025 (5,346,890 exits).
Read More →
Transit Leader Rod Diridon Sr., ‘Father of Modern Transit’ in Silicon Valley, Dies at 87
See how the longtime public servant and transportation visionary helped shape Bay Area transit systems and championed rail development nationwide.
Read More →
Intercity Bus Industry Outlook: A Mix of Apprehension & Optimism
Industry leaders see both promise and peril ahead as intercity bus travel rebounds, but unpredictable market forces threaten to reshape the sector.
Read More →
Philadelphia's SEPTA Celebrates New Ardmore Station
The station was rebuilt as part of SEPTA’s Station Accessibility Program, making it fully ADA accessible with new elevators, ramps, and high-level platforms.
Read More →
