Intelligent traffic management systems (ITMS) are becoming a key tool in modern mobility and safety strategies worldwide. According to a recent report by Grand View Research, Inc., the global market volume for intelligent traffic control will grow to £48.67 billion by 2033. Analysts forecast an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.8 per cent for the period from 2026 to 2033.

Urbanisation and mobility pressure as drivers

The report cites increasing urbanisation, rising mobility requirements and the growing need for more efficient road transport systems as key growth drivers. Existing transport infrastructures are reaching their limits, particularly in conurbations. At the same time, advancing industrialisation is forcing many countries to fundamentally modernise their transport networks.

Intelligent traffic management systems help to reduce congestion, shorten travel times and provide accurate real-time information to road users and planning authorities. They combine sensors, cameras, data analysis and networked control systems to create integrated platforms for traffic flow, safety and efficiency.

Traffic monitoring as the leading segment

In terms of product comparison, the traffic monitoring systems segment dominated in 2025, achieving a market share of 21.4 per cent. Camera-based monitoring, automatic incident detection, number plate recognition and data-based traffic analysis form the technological basis of this segment. For security authorities and traffic control centres, these systems are an important component in accident prevention, rapid response to incidents and situation assessment.

Geographically, the US market took a leading role in 2025, achieving a 38.2 per cent share of the global market. This strong position is due to extensive investment in smart city projects, traffic monitoring and digital infrastructure. For Europe, however, analysts expect more moderate growth until 2033, partly due to heterogeneous framework conditions and complex approval processes.

Government investment and smart city programmes

Government initiatives to implement smart cities are driving demand for ITMS solutions worldwide. The expansion of intelligent transport networks is seen as the key to relieving congested roads and improving road safety. At the same time, many countries are continuing to invest in traditional road infrastructure in order to gradually expand existing systems with digital components.

One example of this is the contract awarded in 2021 by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to the SNC-Lavalin Group. The company received a three-year contract worth 15 million US dollars to implement a Transportation Asset Management System (TAMS), including software, maintenance and optional support. Such projects are further driving demand for scalable ITMS solutions.

High infrastructure costs as an obstacle

Despite the positive market outlook, high investment costs remain a key challenge. Intelligent traffic management systems require powerful, scalable data infrastructures for real-time processing of large amounts of data. In many regions, this infrastructure is still insufficiently developed. Replacing existing, often analogue technology is costly and slows down the introduction of modern systems.

In addition, there is a lack of standards, technological fragmentation and security-related issues that can slow down market growth. Transport authorities and operators face organisational and technical limitations, particularly when integrating different systems and manufacturers.

Safety as a key argument

From a safety perspective, however, ITMS are becoming increasingly important. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) supports the development of binding regulations for traffic safety, including in the areas of infrastructure, traffic control, and signalling and guidance systems. Intelligent traffic management systems make an important contribution here by reducing accidents, detecting hazards at an early stage, and informing emergency services more quickly.

Opportunities in the USA and China

Analysts see particularly large market opportunities in the USA and China, where massive investments in digital traffic and safety solutions are planned. Both countries are actively promoting the expansion of networked transport systems and are increasingly relying on AI-supported analyses, automated control and integrated safety concepts.

Conclusion

The report by Grand View Research makes it clear: Intelligent traffic management systems are becoming a central element of modern security and mobility strategies. Despite high investment costs and regulatory challenges, the market offers significant growth opportunities – especially for providers of traffic monitoring, sensor technology, video analysis and security-related IT solutions. This opens up new interfaces between traffic, digitalisation and the protection of critical infrastructure for the security industry.