Public safety, emergency vehicle prioritization, and reducing urban congestion are but a few of the goals of intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). ITS provides real-time traffic incident detection, connected traffic lights, and integrated public transit data, potentially saving billions annually in lost productivity and fuel, and supporting key sustainability and compliance initiatives.
At Cisco, our industrial networking and security solutions are driving the modernization of roadways by enabling the next generation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Our solutions provide the secure, reliable, and scalable connectivity essential for putting roadside data to work – improving safety for all, with real-time roadside responsiveness, and operational efficiency.
We will be at the ITS World Congress 2025 in Atlanta (Aug 24-28) to showcase how we can help you build a durable ITS networking backbone that provides resilient connectivity for digital signage, digital roadways, traffic management systems, and pedestrian safety. Be sure to check out our real-time interoperability demonstration across multiple vendors on the exhibition floor, featuring Q-Free’s Kinetic Mobility ATMS integrating live intersections, RSUs, and live camera feeds using a Cisco network.
Visit us at Booth #1741 we’d love to hear where you are on your roadway’s modernization journey.
Let’s talk briefly about how we can help:
Digital Signage: Enhancing Traffic Communication and Data Utilization
Modernized roadways depend on dynamic communication. Digital signage, connected by Cisco’s industrial networking solutions, delivers real-time messages about traffic conditions, hazards, and route options to drivers and pedestrians. By utilizing secure connectivity-even in remote or harsh environments-these systems ensure that critical messages are transmitted without interruption. Through collaboration with leaders like Daktronics, Cisco enables digital signs to both receive up-to-the-minute updates and transmit critical situational data back to traffic management centers, thus transforming roadside data into actionable insights while maintaining the highest standards of cybersecurity.
Digital Roadway: Securing and Connecting the Modern Infrastructure
The digital roadway is at the heart of roadway modernization, interconnecting traffic signal controllers, cameras, weather sensors, and more. Cisco’s ruggedized, space-efficient devices withstand extreme roadside conditions (tested to National Electrical Manufacturers Association, [NEMA] TS2) while providing seamless, secure connectivity. With SD-WAN and its configuration catalog, you can deploy quickly and at scale. To combat the rise of cyber threats targeting transportation infrastructure, Cisco integrates advanced cybersecurity features-including Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW), intrusion detection/prevention (IDS/IPS), and network segmentation-directly into its industrial routers and switches.
In addition, Cisco industrial routers give you visibility into connected roadway assets and their security posture to help you secure your operations. They also come with zero trust remote access capabilities to empower remote experts and secure their activities. Encrypted tunnels (IPsec) further safeguard the vast amounts of data generated and shared by these connected devices, ensuring that modernization does not come at the expense of security. As a result, agencies can confidently leverage roadside data to optimize operations and respond to incidents in real time.
Traffic Management Systems: Real-Time Efficiency Through Data and Security
Cisco’s networking enables traffic management systems, including those from Q-Free, to leverage real-time, data-driven control of signals and roadside devices. Modern roadways require connected infrastructure that not only supports remote management and dynamic signal adjustments but also collects a wealth of operational data. This data, protected by Cisco’s robust security framework, feeds into AI and analytics platforms for optimizing traffic flow, prioritizing emergency vehicles, and reducing congestion.
Too often, allowing 3rd party access to ITS systems results in a high degree of security exposure. With Cisco’s secure remote access to roadside cabinets for contractors and vendors, 3rd party access can be securely allowed for a virtual truck roll – resulting in fewer physical maintenance visits and greater operational resilience, all while protecting critical systems from evolving cyber threats.
Pedestrian Safety: Data-Driven Protection for Vulnerable Road Users
Modern roadways prioritize the safety of all users, especially pedestrians. Cisco’s connected infrastructure integrates video analytics and smart detection (radar/lidar/microwave detection), ensuring that data from cameras and sensors is used to adapt signal timings and enhance intersection safety. Reliable, secure connectivity means these systems operate around the clock and are shielded from cyber threats, supporting real-time responses and long-term safety improvements. By putting roadside data to work, transportation agencies can identify risk patterns and implement targeted interventions to protect pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.
Conclusion: A Foundation for the Future of Roadways
To make transportation systems intelligent you need secure and resilient connectivity. Cisco’s industrial networking and security solutions are essential to the ongoing modernization of roadways-transforming legacy infrastructure into intelligent, data-powered, and cyber-resilient transportation networks. Our networking solutions for ITS bring the expertise and innovation of enterprise networking into our secure, industrial networking – all proven in ITS environments. Cisco enables transportation agencies to harness the full value of their roadside data. The result is safer roads, more efficient operations, and a robust foundation for future innovations such as connected and autonomous vehicles.
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