How to Choose the Right ITS Technology for Your City
To choose the right ITS technology, it’s essential to understand that urban mobility is evolving, and cities are facing increasingly complex challenges: rapid growth in vehicle fleets, longer travel times, traffic incidents in critical areas, air pollution, and fragmented transport networks. In this context, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) have become a key tool for local governments to respond with efficiency, technology, and strategic vision. However, acquiring devices alone is not enough — selecting the right ITS technology for each city requires knowledge, analysis, and planning.
ITS solutions encompass a wide range of technologies — from actuated traffic lights and smart controllers to variable message signs, vehicle flow sensors, video analytics cameras, active signage, and centralized management platforms. Each of these can be useful, but their true impact depends on how well they align with the city’s specific needs and whether they can be sustainably integrated into existing infrastructure.
The first step is to clearly define the city or district’s mobility goals. Some cities aim to reduce congestion along major corridors. Others prioritize pedestrian safety in school zones or more precise management of public transportation. Certain regions face unique challenges such as border crossings, mountain roads, or industrial areas with heavy freight traffic. In each case, the technical approach must be tailored to the territory’s operational, social, and environmental priorities.
Another key aspect is understanding the current state of road infrastructure. In many cases, outdated traffic signals cannot be modernized. Wiring may be damaged, poles may be unsafe, or power supply may be insufficient for new devices. That’s why it is crucial to carry out a full technical assessment before implementing ITS — evaluating electrical systems, structural conditions, and connectivity. This diagnostic phase helps anticipate hidden costs and ensures the investment is both viable and scalable.
The city’s technical management capacity also influences the choice. Some municipalities have trained staff experienced in intersection operations. Others lack teams or monitoring platforms. This determines which ITS solutions are appropriate in the early stages. For example, an ATMS (Advanced Traffic Management System) may be ideal for a city with a wide traffic light network, while others may benefit from starting with autonomous controllers programmed locally and maintained periodically.
Interoperability is another increasingly important factor. ITS technologies should not function as closed systems. They must be capable of integrating with other mobility platforms, open data systems, surveillance networks, or public transport infrastructure. Choosing open and connectable solutions ensures the city can scale up its operations without having to replace all previous investments. It also enables collaboration with multiple providers, integration of new features, and more transparent public management.
ITS technology must also be sustainable over time. This means it should include local support, spare part availability, scheduled preventive maintenance, and ongoing technical assistance. In this regard, companies like Soluciones de Tráfico play a crucial role — not just by providing equipment, but by offering a comprehensive service that includes design, consulting, installation, testing, support, and training. This end-to-end model ensures that the system operates efficiently and can be optimized over time.
Finally, there’s one decisive factor that is often overlooked: ITS is also a political decision. Implementing it communicates a future-oriented vision for the city — one grounded in safety, sustainability, and equity. Investing in ITS is not just a technical matter; it’s a clear message that the city cares about the quality of life of its residents, the citizen’s experience in public space, and how resources are managed.
Choosing the right ITS technology for a city doesn’t just mean selecting the right device — it means making informed decisions that address real needs, align with local capabilities, and help build a smarter, more human, and more efficient urban mobility model.
