RTC Washoe and Kimley-Horn Wins 2025 Transportation Achievement Award Wins 2025 Transportation Achievement Award

The Institute of Transportation Engineers(ITE) has awarded the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County(RTC Washoe) and Kimley-Hornthe 2025 Transportation Achievement Awardin the Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) category. This recognition highlights the Sparks Intelligent Corridors Projectas a national model for modern traffic management and innovation in TSMO.

The Sparks Intelligent Corridors Project-developed by RTC Washoe, in collaboration with the City of Sparks, University of Nevada Reno, Kimley-Horn, and INRIX-representsa forward-looking approach to traffic operations. Instead of relying on expensive roadside infrastructure, the project integrates cloud-based technology, real-time data, and INRIX Signal Analyticsto improve corridor performance along Sparks Boulevardand other adjacent arterials.

The Challenge

Managing traffic in Sparks, NV required balancing complex realities:

• Multiple jurisdictions with different, and sometimes incompatible, signal hardware

• Corridors without existing field devices

• Limited budgets that made large-scale infrastructure upgrades unrealistic

• The time-consuming nature of construction projects, even if funding were available

The solution needed to befast, flexible, and cost-effective.

Innovation Through Data

Sparks, NV chose innovation, data, and experimentation to find a scalable solution that would reduce travel time and enhance regional mobility. This is an iterative process that uses INRIX real-time speed datato measure results. As a small agency, they are taking a "bite sized" approach to one corridor at a time. At the heart of the system is high-resolution vehicle trajectory data provided by INRIX, integrated into the Traction Connect software platform. This combination enables:

• Automatic activation of congestion-responsive signal timing at 10 intersections

• Reduced the need for manual intervention in signal coordination

• Deployment of virtual dynamic message signs to provide travelers with traffic information and alternate routes

By using Signal Analytics, thisapproach not only streamlines traffic operations but also frees staff from time-intensive manual adjustments, allowing them to focus on higher-priority tasks.

Measurable Benefits

Since its implementation, the Sparks Intelligent Corridors Project has delivered tangible benefits:

• Significant reductions in travel time along Sparks Boulevard

• Increased green-light arrivals for mainline traffic

• Automated signal adjustments based on real-time congestion

These improvements demonstrate how Signal Analytics and cloud-based systems can deliver clear benefits to both roadway operators and the public.

Cost-Effective, Scalable, and Secure

Unlike traditional ITS infrastructure, the Sparks Intelligent Corridors solution stands out for its scalability and cost-effectiveness:

• No costly hardware installations by leveraging existing communications infrastructure and cloud data

• SOC 2-compliant data protection ensures security and reliability through Traction Connect

• Scalability across corridors in the region, with adaptability for weather, incident, and other future integrations

This framework makes the solution a replicable model for agencies nationwide, demonstrating how to modernize systems and improve efficiency without requiring major infrastructure investments.

Setting a New Standard for TSMO

By aligning cloud innovation with traffic management, RTC Washoe and its partners have created a replicable TSMO model that reduces congestionandenhances safety.By combining cloud-based intelligence, advanced analytics, and public-private collaboration, RTC Washoe and Kimley-Horn have proven that cities can achieve smarter traffic operations without expensive infrastructure overhauls. The Sparks Intelligent Corridors Project representsa leap forward in real-time operations and smart corridor management.To learn more about Signal Analytics visit inrix.com/products/signal-analytics/. Click hereto learn more about the Sparks Intelligent Corridors Project.