Abstract: Signal priority at intersection is the most commonly adopted method to improve the efficiency of modern trams. Aiming at the discrete traffic flow when the modern tram passing through intersections, a specific delay formula is put forward and an active priority benefit model is built based on the reference index of total delay reduction, and the adoption of active priority control strategy is decided according to the results of the model performance. Taking the modern tram T1 Line in the East Lake High-tech Zone of Wuhan City as a reference, the model is simulated and verified. The result shows that the active signal priority has better control effect compared with conventional signal control strategies, but is less effective compared with the green light advance control strategy.