Street Smart Wins Top Honour for Intelligent Transportation Innovation in Arizona
Street Smart has clinched the prestigious Best Use of an Intelligent Transportation System award at the ITS Arizona 2025 Annual Conference, held at the Mesa Convention Center on October 8–9. The recognition celebrates the company’s cutting-edge approach to maintaining traffic flow and safety using portable intelligent systems at one of the United States’ busiest intersections, Loop 101 and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The project, titled “Portable Traffic Signals and Pedestrian Crossings for Complex Urban Work Zones: A Case Study from Scottsdale, AZ,” showcased a transformative use of temporary signalisation. During major road reconstruction, Street Smart deployed adaptive, networked signal systems that kept vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians moving safely, demonstrating that even large-scale infrastructure upgrades don’t have to bring cities to a standstill.
Keeping Arizona Moving Through Innovation
Over a five-month period, Street Smart’s patented temporary signal system managed more than 12 million vehicle movements, averaging over 100,000 vehicles per day. What set this deployment apart was the complete absence of traditional pole-mounted signals or hardwired connections. Each trailer operated as a self-powered, wireless, adaptive signal system, capable of synchronising in real time across multiple approaches.
The system not only managed complex traffic flows but also integrated temporary pedestrian crossing solutions. Hundreds of pedestrians and cyclists used these crossings daily, protected by intelligent controls that maintained safety and accessibility throughout all phases of the construction. The result was a smooth, incident-free operation, remarkable for such a high-traffic corridor.
Jeremy Peterson, CEO of Street Smart, expressed pride in the project’s success: “Work zones don’t need to mean chaos or compromise. Our portable signal design in Scottsdale shows agencies can keep people moving and protect workers and pedestrians. We’re proud the ITS Arizona community recognised this as a step forward for safer, smarter work zones.”
A Milestone in Intelligent Transportation
The honour from ITS Arizona underscores how intelligent transportation systems (ITS) are redefining traditional work zone management. Historically, temporary signals and detours have been costly, cumbersome, and prone to disruptions. By eliminating the need for fixed infrastructure and leveraging real-time communication technology, Street Smart’s approach exemplifies the next generation of adaptive traffic management.
Srini Goundla, Past President of ITS Arizona, highlighted the project’s impact: “By maintaining mobility and safety for motorists and pedestrians at one of Arizona’s busiest interchanges during this massive construction project, without the costs and inconveniences associated with temporary wooden poles or power sources, this project reflects the spirit of ITS: smart, adaptable, and effective.”
Beyond the award, the project provides a blueprint for municipalities and contractors nationwide seeking scalable solutions for urban infrastructure modernisation. Temporary ITS deployments can drastically reduce delays, fuel use, and emissions by minimising congestion, contributing to safer, greener, and more resilient transportation networks.
Street Smart’s Growing Legacy
For nearly three decades, Street Smart has worked with public agencies and private contractors across the United States to design, deploy, and rent portable traffic control systems. Their suite of solutions spans portable traffic signals, connected work zone ITS, and pedestrian safety systems, all designed to enhance safety while reducing complexity and cost.
What distinguishes Street Smart is its focus on mobility continuity. The company’s portable systems are engineered for quick installation, adaptability, and reliability, even in the most challenging urban environments. From congested highway interchanges to suburban developments, Street Smart’s systems have become essential tools for maintaining safety and efficiency during infrastructure upgrades.
ITS Arizona’s recognition further cements the company’s position as a leader in applied intelligent transportation. The award not only acknowledges engineering excellence but also highlights the broader shift toward smart mobility, a growing global trend where technology drives safety, sustainability, and operational performance.
The Broader Impact of ITS in Modern Infrastructure
Intelligent Transportation Systems are rapidly reshaping how cities manage congestion, safety, and energy consumption. In Arizona, ITS innovations, from connected vehicle corridors to adaptive signal control, are helping agencies respond to rising urban traffic demands without the need for major physical expansion.
Portable systems, like Street Smart’s, play a crucial role in bridging the gap between permanent infrastructure and temporary work environments. Their flexibility makes them invaluable during:
- Highway widening projects
- Bridge replacements
- Utility relocations
- Emergency roadworks and disaster recovery
By using wireless coordination, solar power, and data-driven timing algorithms, these systems enable continuous, efficient movement, minimising driver frustration and enhancing worker safety.
Moreover, integrating pedestrian and cyclist safety features aligns with broader urban mobility goals. As cities shift toward multimodal transport planning, ensuring safe crossings during construction phases becomes paramount. Street Smart’s solution addresses this need head-on, providing an adaptable model for inclusive urban design.
A Future Built on Smarter Work Zones
Street Smart’s success in Scottsdale is more than just an engineering triumph, it’s a vision of what the future of roadwork could look like. Temporary systems that think, adapt, and communicate represent the next frontier of construction zone management.
By blending technology, sustainability, and user-focused design, Street Smart has shown that progress doesn’t have to come at the expense of mobility or safety. Their win at the ITS Arizona 2025 Conference reflects a growing industry recognition that smart work zones are not just possible, they’re essential.
Innovation on the move is what keeps cities alive. When technology meets practical application, every journey becomes safer, faster, and more efficient.
