What transportation professionals really want to fix
At a glance
At the 2025 Joint ITE International and Florida Puerto Rico District Annual Meeting and Exhibition, GHD invited transportation professionals to share their biggest traffic frustrations, their vision for connected vehicle data and the challenges they wish someone would solve. With more than 50 responses from engineers, planners, academics and agency leaders, the survey revealed a strong alignment with GHD’s Transport Mobility report “[Re] Generation of mobility” and our shared mission with Compass IoT to make data-driven decisions more accessible and impactful.
Common traffic frustrations: Safety, congestion and signal timing
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Unsafe driving behavior
Speeding, tailgating and failure to use turn signals were common complaints. One respondent noted that “most of our collisions are caused by single-car accidents with people just going too fast,” and another called out “unsafe driver behavior” as a persistent issue.
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Reactive safety culture
Several professionals expressed concerns about the reactive nature of agency responses to traffic incidents. One respondent summed it up clearly, “My biggest pet peeve is our agencies’ focus on reacting to crashes, not proactively addressing safety problems.” In contrast, others highlighted the lack of near-miss data as a barrier to systemic safety improvements.
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Congestion and delays
From long waits at intersections to construction-related backups, congestion was the most frequently cited frustration. “Getting rid of traffic congestion during construction” was a top concern, and others emphasized the need for “traffic signal optimization” to reduce delays.
Connected vehicle data: Providing proactive insights to improve safety and efficiency
When delegates were asked how they would use real-time connected vehicle data, respondents overwhelmingly focused on safety and operational efficiency:
Near-miss detection
Many saw value in identifying undocumented safety risks, such as near misses, that traditional crash data overlooks. One person emphasized the need to “change the driving culture in the US to make Vision Zero a possibility,” and others pointed to “speeding” and “capacity, delay” as key areas for improvement. While near-miss analysis can help predict collisions, examining breaking patterns, queue formation, speed fluctuations and momentum changes (g-forces) along a vehicle’s travel path also provides valuable insights. These insights reveal areas where driver behavior consistently leads to violations, as well as potential design or operational issues, highlighting opportunities to improve safety and overall traffic operations.
Signal timing and corridor optimization
Several participants highlighted the potential to improve traffic flow by dynamically adjusting signals based on real-time conditions, as is the goal of adaptive traffic signal operation. A respondent called out “poor signal coordination” and the need for “coordination between multiple jurisdictions on corridor issues.” Practitioners can use large volumes of connected vehicle data to analyze individual vehicle trajectories and improve performance at intersections along corridors, whether within one jurisdiction or across many. This data enhances operations at all times of day and throughout the year, providing a clearer and more continuous view than traditional collection methods.
Pedestrian and cyclist exposure
Respondents also noted the importance of understanding how vehicle speeds affect vulnerable road users. One key concern was “pedestrian and cyclist exposure to vehicle speeds,” with many calling for funding strategies that prioritize safety outcomes over maintaining the status quo. With connected vehicle data, we can gain valuable insights into vehicles’ reactions and driver behavior when vulnerable road users are present, or even when they aren’t. We can analyze data during school start and end times, around sporting or community events and along commuter routes with non-motorized travel to better understand risks and exposure. Understanding how drivers interact with local area traffic management treatments allows agencies to develop broader plans to solve speeding through appropriately matched treatments that result in lower overall roadway speeds rather than spot reductions that can lead to adjacent increases.
Compass IoT includes tools that help agencies detect conflict zones, assess pavement quality and monitor driver behavior, and thus captures data that traditional traffic counts often miss. These insights reinforce the value of combining Compass IoT’s connected vehicle data with our technical knowledge to empower planners in making proactive, data-informed strategies that make streets safer, smarter and more accessible for everyone.
Transportation challenges that need a solution, and quickly
The final question asked participants to name one transportation challenge they wish someone would solve — no matter how big or small. Their answers revealed a deep desire for systemic change:
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Vision zero and crash prevention
Some responses were brief but powerful. One respondent simply stated, “Vision Zero,” while another passionately urged, “No more fatalities!”
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Equity and accessibility
One respondent emphasized the need for “access for low-income neighborhoods,” while others advocated for more inclusive design standards, urging cities to “connect ALL the sidewalks throughout our cities to PROWAG standards.”
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Public trust and education
Answers highlighted the need for “better education of drivers on how new technologies work,” noting that trust and understanding are key to integrating autonomous vehicles.
These responses reflect the broader goals of GHD’s [Re] Generation report — to create inclusive, resilient and future-ready transport networks that serve everyone. While addressing these issues requires long-term collaboration, Compass IoT gives us and our partners a way to act now by highlighting where low-income neighborhoods face greater safety risks or incomplete pedestrian networks.
[Re]generation of Mobility
Let's build safer, smarter cities together
The voices from GHD’s engagement with industry professionals at our ITE—A Community of Transportation Professionals booth were clear. There is a strong desire to move beyond reactive fixes and toward proactive, data-driven solutions that prioritize safety, equity and efficiency.
GHD and Compass IoT are here to help. Whether you’re a city planner, county engineer or agency leader, we invite you to explore how connected vehicle data and integrated mobility strategies can transform your community.
Together, we can make transportation safer, smarter and more sustainable for everyone.