Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), Statewide
In 2025, UDOT contracted with Econolite to provide an industry-leading Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Traffic Signal Detection System. To deliver on this project, Econolite partnered with Ouster, a leading global provider of high-performance LiDAR sensors. The UDOT project integrates Ouster’s LiDAR technology into the State’s Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), leveraging technology to address extreme weather conditions. To meet UDOT’s primary objective to enhance safety and operational efficiency at intersections or midblock locations, the project focuses on improving traffic management through real-time data collection and enhancing intersection safety. By leveraging LiDAR’s precise sensing capabilities, UDOT’s goal is to reduce collisions and protect Vulnerable Roadway Users (VRUs) like pedestrians and cyclists, further realizing smarter, safer, and more sustainable infrastructure and decision making.
Econolite will deploy Ouster’s Bluecity LiDAR system that includes their Gemini Detect perception software. This system will provide real-time insights into traffic flow, road user behaviors, and potential safety risks. The system will also integrate seamlessly with UDOTs existing traffic signal system, including Econolite Cobalt® traffic signal controllers and EOS firmware, offering dynamic traffic signal interventions that improve safety for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Econolite will also ensure that the deployed solution supports UDOT’s traffic signal actuation use case and safety-related applications, such as VRU detection and connected vehicle V2X message protocols. The complete solution integrates the LiDAR system with Econolite’s controllers and firmware, and UDOT’s Roadside Units (RSUs). This will be managed through an ITS Edge software running on an edge computing system. Econolite received an initial order for 15 systems, with another 10 systems expected to be ordered in Q1 2025. Econolite will continue deploying the systems at UDOT’s request through 2029.
