The Challenge for Tucson, Arizona
In 2021, Tucson partnered with NoTraffic to implement adaptive traffic technology, enhancing both traffic flow and community well-being. Since then, the city has significantly expanded its use of optimization across key corridors and intersections. This study focuses on one of the most critical corridors: Campbell Avenue and Broadway Boulevard. Previously, drivers along this route faced heavy daily congestion, long delays, and pedestrian safety concerns due to outdated, fixed-timing signals. Campbell Avenue, in particular, struggled with chronic gridlock, extended pedestrian wait times, and increased air pollution from idling vehicles -challenges that traditional signal systems failed to resolve.
Goals: Tucson’s Vision for the Project Was Simple but Ambitious
The Tucson project focused on four key objectives:
- Enhance Traffic Flow – Reduce vehicle delays at key intersections to keep Tucson moving.
- Prioritize Safety – Minimize pedestrian wait times and the risk of red-light running.
- Support a Greener City – Lower emissions to improve air quality and reduce Tucson’s carbon footprint.
- Improve Driving Experience – Enhance daily commutes and overall quality of life for residents.
Solution: A Powerful Platform for Traffic Management
Tucson first deployed NoTraffic’s AI-driven mobility platform, later activating Optimization Mode to fully leverage its capabilities. The system’s built-in connectivity enabled a seamless transition from basic detection to full Optimization.
NoTraffic’s all-in-one solution blends AI-driven software with advanced hardware, optimizing intersections to create safer, smarter roadways. Traffic detection sensors continuously track real-time traffic conditions, sending data to the cloud, where Mobility OS aggregates and analyzes it.
Through the Mobility Store, agencies can access data-driven applications, creating a flexible infrastructure that allows real-time traffic adjustments without additional hardware or complex installations.
Tucson leveraged the Optimization Application to enhance traffic flow, reduce congestion, and improve transportation efficiency and safety.
How Optimization Works
Using advanced predictive algorithms, Optimization evaluates thousands of potential future traffic scenarios in real time. Governed by agency policies and objectives, it:
- Simulates traffic conditions up to 120 seconds ahead.
- Dynamically adapts signals to changing traffic patterns.
- Coordinates multiple intersections along a corridor.
- Ensures optimized traffic flow according to agency policies.
Optimization Mode is available through the Mobility Store, allowing agencies to implement software-defined, real-time traffic adjustments without additional hardware.
| Metric | Improvement (%) |
| Control Delay | 19.4% |
| Overall Delay | 23.6% |
| Peak Hour Delay | 16.0% |
| Delay at Key Locations | 24.0% |
| Pedestrian Delay | 37.0% |
| AM Peak Delay | 20.7% |
| PM Peak Delay | 18.4% |
| Red-Light Running Reduction (RLR) | 30.0% |
Result
The deployment of NoTraffic’s adaptive signal control led to significant improvements in efficiency, safety, and environmental impact:
- Traffic Efficiency: 24% smoother commutes by reducing red-light delays, enhancing the driver experience.
- Pedestrian Safety: Pedestrian wait times decreased by 37%, particularly benefiting areas near the University of Arizona.
- Rush Hour Traffic Relief: AM peak delay times dropped by 20.7%, and PM delays fell by 18.4%, reducing frustration for thousands of daily drivers.
- Environmental Impact: Annual CO₂ emissions dropped by 3,710 metric tons, equivalent to planting over 61,000 trees —delivering cleaner air for Tucson residents.
Conclusion: A Model for Agencies Looking to Get the Most from Their Infrastructure
By adopting NoTraffic’s AI-driven solution, Tucson has set a new standard for smart traffic management. The city’s partnership with NoTraffic demonstrates how intelligent technology can drive real, human-centered benefits using the existing infrastructure.
Through reduced delays, improved pedestrian safety, and lower emissions, Tucson has proven that adaptive traffic management is not just possible—it’s transformative. This case study highlights Tucson’s leadership in urban innovation, paving the way for smarter, safer, and greener cities nationwide.
