Advanced Sensor Technology Transforms Highway Safety: NTT DATA's Traffic Innovation Across North Carolina

North Carolina’s transportation infrastructure is entering a new era of data-driven safety management. NTT DATA, a $30 billion global innovator in IT and business services, has been selected to deploy its cutting-edge SMART Traffic Solution across the state’s highway network. This partnership represents a significant advancement in how transportation agencies can leverage technology to prevent dangerous driving incidents.

Addressing a Critical Transportation Challenge

Wrong-way driving remains one of the most dangerous yet preventable incidents on modern highways. Despite significant investments in infrastructure design and traffic management systems, states continue to struggle with this safety hazard. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) recognized that traditional monitoring approaches were insufficient and sought a technology-driven solution to tackle this persistent problem head-on.

The SMART Traffic Solution: How It Works

NTT DATA’s approach combines optical sensor technology with intelligent data analytics. Twelve strategically selected state highways will be equipped with advanced sensors capable of detecting and recording wrong-way driving events in real-time. These sensors feed directly into NTT’s SMART Management Platform, which processes the data to provide actionable insights about traffic patterns and highway conditions.

The system goes beyond simple incident counting. By aggregating data across multiple locations, transportation planners gain unprecedented visibility into when and where these dangerous events occur most frequently. This intelligence enables agencies to develop targeted interventions—whether through infrastructure modifications, signage improvements, or targeted enforcement strategies.

Supporting Vision Zero: A Comprehensive Safety Framework

NCDOT has committed to its Vision Zero initiative, an ambitious framework aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries on state highways. The SMART Traffic Solution directly supports this mission by providing the granular data necessary to identify risk factors and measure the effectiveness of safety interventions.

Dave Turner, Division President at NTT DATA Services, emphasized the significance of this partnership: “Safety represents our highest priority on the nation’s highways. NCDOT’s Vision Zero mission demonstrates genuine commitment to protecting drivers, and we’re proud to serve as their technology partner in this critical initiative.”

Beyond Wrong-Way Detection: A Platform for Transportation Innovation

While the immediate focus is wrong-way driving prevention, the SMART Management Platform serves as a foundation for broader transportation innovation. Future SMART Mobility initiatives can leverage the same infrastructure and data architecture, creating a scalable ecosystem for highway management. This forward-thinking approach ensures that the initial investment delivers value not just today, but for years to come.

State Traffic Engineer Brian Mayhew noted: “The insights we derive from this project will shape our transportation strategy moving forward. By combining data analytics with practical transportation engineering, we can create highways that are not only safer but also more reliable and efficient for all users.”

About NTT DATA’s Global Transportation Expertise

NTT DATA brings extensive experience to this deployment. Operating in over 80 countries, the company has established itself as a trusted advisor in business transformation and technology consulting. Their expertise spans industry-specific solutions, applications development, managed infrastructure services, and systems integration—capabilities that extend well beyond traffic sensors into comprehensive transportation ecosystem management.

The company’s commitment to long-term client success, combined with its global reach and local expertise, positions it to support NCDOT’s transportation objectives both now and as the state’s needs evolve.