Introduction to Global Traffic Technologies
Global Traffic Technologies (GTT) is a prominent leader in the field of smart mobility and traffic management solutions. Established to revolutionize urban transportation infrastructure, GTT is best known for its innovative and widely adopted Opticom™ system, which provides advanced traffic signal priority and preemption services. With decades of experience and a presence in thousands of municipalities across the globe, Global Traffic Technologies has been instrumental in shaping the future of intelligent transportation systems (ITS).
Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, GTT offers cutting-edge technology designed to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and enhance public safety. Its solutions serve a broad range of clients, including emergency services, transit agencies, and municipal governments. The company’s technology enables vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, and public transit buses to communicate directly with traffic signals, ensuring faster response times, safer intersections, and improved route efficiency.
At the heart of Global Traffic Technologies’ success is its ability to integrate vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication with cloud-based analytics and real-time data. This fusion allows cities to implement more responsive and adaptive traffic control strategies, ultimately leading to smarter, safer, and more sustainable urban environments.
Through its flagship Opticom platform, Global Traffic Technologies continues to lead innovation in mobility solutions, helping cities transition to more intelligent, data-driven transportation systems that meet the needs of modern urban life.
Global Traffic Technologies Overview
Company Profile
Global Traffic Technologies (GTT) is a pioneering force in the field of intelligent transportation and traffic management solutions. With a legacy that spans over five decades, GTT has remained at the forefront of innovation, enhancing mobility and safety in urban environments. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, the company has built a global reputation for developing high-quality traffic control and sensing technologies.
Flagship Products: Opticom and Canoga Systems
Global Traffic Technologies is best known for its Opticom™ priority control system, a transformative solution that enables emergency and transit vehicles to communicate with traffic signals, reducing response times and improving safety. GTT also produces Canoga™ traffic sensors. These systems accurately detect vehicles and gather data, leading to smoother traffic and better infrastructure planning. These products are integral to V2I (vehicle-to-infrastructure) communications and are widely used to modernize traffic signal operations.
Global Reach and Community Impact
Currently, Global Traffic Technologies serves more than 3,100 communities around the world, including 41 of the 50 largest cities in the United States. Its technologies play a critical role in enabling faster emergency response, improving public transportation efficiency, and enhancing the overall commuting experience in both small towns and major metropolitan areas.
Organizational Scale and Revenue
Though relatively small in size, Global Traffic Technologies operates with a dedicated team of approximately 45 employees. Despite its modest workforce, the company generates an impressive annual revenue of around $23.8 million, reflecting the value and demand for its innovative solutions in the traffic management industry.
Acquisition by Miovision
In a strategic move to expand its capabilities and market presence, Global Traffic Technologies was recently acquired by Miovision, a leading provider of intelligent transportation systems. This acquisition is expected to strengthen the combined companies’ positions in the smart mobility sector, offering enhanced, integrated solutions to cities and communities striving for more efficient and data-driven traffic management.
With its solid foundation, advanced technology, and growing global presence, Global Traffic Technologies continues to be a key player in shaping the future of intelligent transportation systems.
Mission and Impact of Global Traffic Technologies
Commitment to Safety and Sustainability
Global Traffic Technologies is fundamentally dedicated to building safer and smoother-flowing roads for communities worldwide.The company focuses on delivering solutions that increase public safety, particularly for emergency responders and transit operators, by enabling timely and reliable access through traffic intersections. In doing so, GTT plays a vital role in reducing accidents, enhancing pedestrian safety, and supporting rapid emergency response.
Beyond safety, Global Traffic Technologies is deeply invested in environmental sustainability. Its intelligent traffic management solutions help minimize traffic congestion, which not only improves commute times but also contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by limiting vehicle idling and fuel consumption. This aligns with the growing demand for greener, more sustainable urban infrastructure.
Optimizing Traffic Flow and Resource Use
Global Traffic Technologies designs its systems to maximize the efficiency of existing infrastructure. Rather than requiring cities to undertake costly road expansions or manual signal adjustments, GTT’s technology leverages real-time data to dynamically adjust traffic signal timing and priorities. This leads to improved traffic flow, reduced bottlenecks, and better allocation of city resources—ultimately making urban transportation smarter and more responsive.
Empowering Public Service Agencies
Through its Opticom™ priority control solutions, Global Traffic Technologies empowers emergency, transit, and traffic management personnel by giving them the tools needed to navigate intersections more safely and quickly. For fire departments, ambulances, and police units, this means life-saving time gains during emergencies. For public transit agencies, it ensures reliable, on-time service that enhances the commuter experience.
By consistently delivering impactful and reliable solutions, Global Traffic Technologies fulfills its mission of transforming urban mobility—making cities safer, greener, and more efficient for everyone.
Key Products and Solutions by Global Traffic Technologies
Opticom Traffic Signal Priority Control System
The flagship solution from Global Traffic Technologies is the Opticom™ Traffic Signal Priority Control System, a market leader in emergency vehicle preemption (EVP) and transit signal priority (TSP). This advanced system allows authorized vehicles—such as ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, and public buses—to communicate directly with traffic signals, ensuring green light priority as they approach intersections. This smart mobility technology is crucial in reducing delays and improving safety across urban road networks.
Widespread Implementation Across North America
The Opticom system has been widely adopted, with installations in nearly 180,000 intersections and vehicles throughout North America. This extensive deployment is a testament to the trust and effectiveness of GTT’s technology in real-world environments. Cities and municipalities rely on this system to streamline traffic management and support critical services that depend on timely and safe roadway navigation.
Enhancing Emergency Response and Safety
One of the most impactful benefits of the Opticom system from Global Traffic Technologies is its proven ability to enhance emergency response capabilities. By giving emergency vehicles priority at traffic signals, the system can reduce crashes at intersections by up to 70% and improve emergency response times by as much as 25%. These improvements are not only life-saving but also vital in reducing property damage and improving outcomes in crisis situations.
Boosting Transit Efficiency and Sustainability
In addition to serving emergency services, the Opticom system also supports public transportation through its Transit Signal Priority (TSP) functionality. This feature enables buses and other transit vehicles to maintain better schedules, which helps cut operating costs, increase ridership, and reduce delays. Furthermore, for cities investing in zero-emission vehicle fleets, TSP improves battery efficiency by minimizing idle time and ensuring smoother transit flow, supporting broader environmental goals.
Through the Opticom Traffic Signal Priority Control System, Global Traffic Technologies continues to lead the way in developing innovative traffic management solutions that elevate safety, enhance operational efficiency, and support sustainable transportation systems.
Canoga Traffic-Sensing System by Global Traffic Technologies
Advanced Traffic Detection Technology
The Canoga™ Traffic-Sensing System, developed by Global Traffic Technologies, is a high-performance solution designed to complement the company’s flagship Opticom™ system. Utilizing inductive loop and non-intrusive detection technologies, Canoga provides precise, real-time vehicle detection at intersections and along roadways. This system plays a crucial role in capturing traffic patterns and enabling intelligent signal control across urban and suburban environments.
Seamless Integration with Opticom
When used in conjunction with the Opticom Traffic Signal Priority Control System, the Canoga system creates a more comprehensive traffic management solution. While Opticom focuses on vehicle priority and preemption, Canoga enhances these capabilities by delivering accurate traffic flow data. This integration ensures that signal timing adjustments are not only responsive to priority vehicles but also aligned with real-time traffic volumes, leading to more balanced and efficient intersection management.
Improving Signal Control and Intersection Safety
The Canoga system from Global Traffic Technologies enables traffic engineers and city planners to make informed decisions based on real-time data. By detecting the presence, speed, and movement of vehicles, the system helps optimize traffic signal phasing, reduce congestion, and improve safety for both motorists and pedestrians. This results in smoother traffic flow and fewer delays at key intersections.
Flexible Deployment and Applications
Designed for versatility, the Canoga Traffic-Sensing System can be deployed in a variety of settings, from busy urban intersections to rural highways. It supports a wide range of applications, including vehicle classification, speed enforcement, and data collection for traffic studies. This makes it an essential tool for municipalities looking to enhance the effectiveness of their intelligent transportation systems.
With the Canoga Traffic-Sensing System, Global Traffic Technologies reinforces its commitment to smart mobility by delivering innovative, data-driven solutions that elevate traffic management and support safer, more efficient transportation infrastructure.
Priority Control as a Service™ and Cloud-Based Solutions by Global Traffic Technologies
Scalable and Flexible Traffic Management
With the introduction of Priority Control as a Service™ (PCaaS), Global Traffic Technologies has taken a major leap toward modernizing traffic management through cloud innovation. PCaaS is a centralized, cloud-based platform that delivers smart, scalable traffic control without the need for complex, on-premises infrastructure. This solution is engineered for the dynamic needs of urban areas and transit organizations, delivering superior flexibility through simple upgrades, remote operation, and swift deployment.
Support for Hybrid and Distributed Systems
One of the key strengths of Global Traffic Technologies’ cloud-based offerings is their ability to support various technology architectures. Whether a city uses distributed hardware, a centralized control center, or a hybrid approach, the PCaaS platform can integrate effortlessly into existing frameworks. This interoperability ensures that agencies can adopt modern solutions without overhauling legacy systems, protecting prior investments while embracing future-ready technology.
Real-Time Priority Requests and Schedule Optimization
The PCaaS platform by Global Traffic Technologies empowers transit agencies and emergency services with real-time priority control capabilities. Vehicles equipped with GTT’s systems can send live priority requests to intersections, enabling faster, safer passage through traffic signals. In addition, the platform supports advanced schedule management, allowing transit agencies to dynamically adjust priorities based on route adherence, time of day, or special events. This results in improved punctuality, reduced fuel usage, and better service reliability.
Enhanced Efficiency Through Cloud Integration
By leveraging the cloud, Global Traffic Technologies ensures that its PCaaS solution is always connected, always up to date, and capable of processing vast amounts of traffic data quickly and securely. Cloud integration enhances not only system performance but also remote diagnostics, monitoring, and analytics, giving traffic managers greater visibility and control over their networks—anytime, anywhere.
With Priority Control as a Service™, Global Traffic Technologies is reshaping how cities approach intelligent transportation. The platform brings together real-time data, cloud computing, and mobility intelligence to drive safer, greener, and more efficient urban movement.
Recent Developments
Strategic Acquisition in 2023
In 2023, Global Traffic Technologies (GTT) was officially acquired by Miovision, a Canadian-based company specializing in AI-powered traffic management systems. The deal, valued at $107 million, marked a significant milestone in the intelligent transportation industry. With this acquisition, Miovision aimed to expand its technological capabilities and integrate GTT’s leading traffic control systems—most notably the Opticom™ platform—into its existing suite of smart city solutions.
Strengthening Market Presence Across North America
The acquisition dramatically increased Miovision’s footprint, extending its reach to nearly 100,000 intersections throughout North America. By combining Miovision’s expertise in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cloud-based traffic platforms with the proven vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) solutions from Global Traffic Technologies, the merged company offers cities and municipalities a more comprehensive, connected, and data-driven approach to traffic management.
Seamless Transition and Enhanced Capabilities
Following the acquisition, GTT’s employees, product teams, and leadership transitioned to Miovision, ensuring continuity and strengthening the combined workforce. This strategic alignment has led to enhanced product development, improved integration between platforms, and a greater focus on customer support and innovation. The shared mission of both companies—making traffic flow safer, faster, and more efficient—continues to guide their collaborative efforts.
A Unified Vision for Safer, Smarter Transportation
The merger between Miovision and Global Traffic Technologies represents more than a business transaction—it is a unified step forward in reshaping how cities manage mobility. By leveraging GTT’s Opticom system alongside Miovision’s AI-powered technologies, the combined entity is better positioned to tackle modern traffic challenges, from reducing emergency response times to cutting carbon emissions and minimizing congestion.
This recent development not only strengthens Global Traffic Technologies’ legacy of innovation but also opens the door to future advancements in smart mobility, where data, intelligence, and connectivity work together to transform urban transportation.
Benefits and Performance Highlights of Global Traffic Technologies Solutions
Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP): Enhancing Response and Safety
At the core of Global Traffic Technologies’ mission is the commitment to saving lives through smarter mobility solutions. The Opticom™ Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) system provides green light priority to authorized emergency vehicles, significantly improving their ability to navigate intersections quickly and safely.
- Reduces Crash Rates by Up to 70%: By granting emergency vehicles a green signal before they reach an intersection, Opticom helps prevent dangerous cross-traffic incidents, dramatically lowering the risk of collisions.
- Improves Response Times by Up to 25%: With faster intersection access, ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles can reach emergency scenes more swiftly—crucial when every second counts.
- Real-Time Vehicle Detection and Prioritization: Advanced algorithms and GPS-based technology allow the system to detect approaching vehicles in near real-time and initiate priority control efficiently.
- Seamless System Integration: The EVP solution is designed to work with existing vehicle and traffic signal infrastructure, reducing the need for extensive hardware upgrades.
- Incident Priority Feature: This intelligent setting allows preemption to be used only during high-priority calls, minimizing disruption to regular traffic flow while still ensuring critical responses receive priority.
Transit Signal Priority (TSP): Boosting Efficiency for Public Transport
Global Traffic Technologies also delivers powerful benefits for public transportation systems through its Transit Signal Priority (TSP) functionality, aimed at making buses and transit vehicles more punctual, efficient, and environmentally friendly.
- Reduces Average Signal Delays by 43%: Transit vehicles experience shorter wait times at intersections, leading to more predictable schedules and increased passenger satisfaction.
- Decreases Red Light Stops by 22%: By reducing the number of times a bus is forced to stop at red signals, TSP helps maintain smooth, consistent movement through urban corridors.
- Contextual Priority Allocation: The TSP system evaluates various dynamic factors—such as time of day, passenger load, and vehicle lateness—to determine when and how to grant signal priority, ensuring balanced traffic optimization.
- Supports Zero-Emission Fleets: For transit agencies shifting to electric or hybrid buses, TSP reduces stop-and-go conditions, thereby extending battery life and improving energy efficiency—a key advantage in meeting environmental goals.
Together, the EVP and TSP systems offered by Global Traffic Technologies form a highly effective framework for safer, smarter, and more sustainable mobility, reinforcing the company’s position as a global leader in traffic management innovation.
Contact and Location Information for Global Traffic Technologies
Headquarters Address:
Global Traffic Technologies is headquartered at:
7800 Third Street North
St. Paul, Minnesota 55128, USA
This central location has served as the operational base for the company’s extensive development, support, and distribution of its flagship Opticom™ and Canoga™ systems, which are used in thousands of communities around the world.
Phone Numbers:
- Main Line: (651) 789-7330
- Toll-Free Support: (800) 258-4610
These lines are available for inquiries related to technical support, product information, and customer service, reflecting Global Traffic Technologies’ commitment to reliable and responsive communication with its partners and clients.
Official Website:
For detailed product information, customer resources, and updates, visit:
👉 www.gtt.com
Note: As Global Traffic Technologies is now a part of Miovision, the website redirects to Miovision’s integrated platform, offering a unified experience for exploring GTT’s traffic solutions alongside Miovision’s broader intelligent transportation ecosystem.
PRO and CONs
✅ Pros of GTT’s Opticom System
1. Improved Emergency Response Times
- Grants green light priority to emergency vehicles, reducing travel time by up to 25%.
2. Increased Public Safety
- Decreases intersection crash rates for emergency vehicles by up to 70%.
3. Enhanced Transit Efficiency
- Reduces signal delays and improves schedule adherence for public transportation.
4. Environmental Benefits
- Minimizes fuel consumption and emissions by reducing idle time and traffic congestion.
5. Scalable and Compatible
- Integrates easily with existing traffic infrastructure and supports cloud-based expansion.
6. Proven Reliability
- Deployed in over 3,100 communities, including major U.S. cities with high traffic demands.
❌ Cons of GTT’s Opticom System
1. Initial Cost
- Requires upfront investment in hardware and integration, which may be a challenge for smaller municipalities.
2. Maintenance Requirements
- Sensors and transmitters require regular maintenance to function optimally.
3. Data Privacy Concerns
- Real-time vehicle tracking and communication may raise data security or privacy concerns.
4. Dependency on Infrastructure
- Performance can be limited if intersections lack compatible hardware or network connectivity.
5. Training and Management
- Emergency and transit personnel need proper training to effectively use the system, requiring time and resources.
FAQs
1. What are the main features of GTT’s Opticom system?
The Opticom system by Global Traffic Technologies provides traffic signal priority for emergency vehicles and transit buses. Key features include:
- Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP): Grants green lights to emergency vehicles, reducing delays and improving safety.
- Transit Signal Priority (TSP): Prioritizes transit vehicles to minimize delays and improve schedules.
- Real-time Vehicle Detection: Uses advanced algorithms to detect and prioritize vehicles at intersections.
- Seamless Integration: Compatible with existing traffic signal infrastructure, minimizing the need for new hardware.
2. How does GTT’s technology help reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
GTT’s technology helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by:
- Reducing Idle Time: By minimizing waiting times at traffic signals, Opticom cuts down on fuel consumption for both emergency and transit vehicles.
- Supporting Zero-Emission Fleets: Transit Signal Priority (TSP) improves the efficiency of electric and hybrid buses, reducing energy consumption and increasing battery efficiency.
- Improved Traffic Flow: Optimized traffic flow leads to reduced congestion, thereby lowering overall vehicle emissions in urban areas.
3. What are the benefits of Miovision acquiring GTT?
The acquisition of GTT by Miovision offers several benefits:
- Expanded Network: Miovision now has access to Opticom and other GTT technologies, increasing its reach to over 100,000 intersections across North America.
- Enhanced Product Development: Integration of GTT’s expertise with Miovision’s AI-powered traffic management systems leads to improved solutions.
- Improved Customer Support: Combining resources results in better support and services for municipalities and transit agencies.
- Stronger Focus on Smart Mobility: The merger supports the development of smarter, safer urban transportation through integrated technologies.
4. How does GTT’s Opticom system improve emergency response times?
GTT’s Opticom system improves emergency response times by:
- Granting Green Lights: Emergency vehicles receive priority at intersections, minimizing delays.
- Up to 25% Faster Response: Studies show that Opticom can reduce emergency response times by up to 25%, helping first responders reach their destinations more quickly.
- Real-Time Detection: Advanced algorithms detect emergency vehicles in near real-time, ensuring priority signals are activated without delays.
5. What cities have implemented GTT’s Opticom system?
GTT’s Opticom system is widely implemented across over 3,100 communities worldwide. Notably, it has been adopted in 41 of the 50 largest U.S. cities including:
- New York City
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Dallas
- San Francisco These cities benefit from enhanced emergency vehicle response times and improved public transit efficiency through the system’s advanced traffic signal priority technology.
