ITS America 2026: Real Conversations, Real Momentum and What Comes Next

Watch our highlights from ITS America 2026:

More than 3,000 transportation professionals came together in Detroit for ITS America 2026 along with 100+ sessions and more than 170 exhibitors focused on the future of mobility. The scale was incredible but what really stood out were the conversations happening across the industry.

There’s a clear shift underway. Agencies are under more pressure than ever managing aging infrastructure, rising safety expectations and tighter budgets. The challenge isn’t just adopting new tech but figuring out how to make real systems work better, every day, in the real world.

A packed booth and a big moment for VantageNode

We saw strong engagement throughout the week at the Iteris booth with customers and partners diving into live demos, asking great questions and sharing what they’re seeing in their own regions.

A highlight for us was the debut of VantageNode™, our new AI-powered detection solution designed for small and rural intersections. There was huge interest in the ability to simplify deployment while still delivering high-quality, multimodal detection.

Credit: ITS International Daily News

And then there was the reception, which ended up being one of the most memorable moments of the event! It was high energy, a little loud in the best way and a great way to connect with customers and colleagues.

Taking the conversation beyond the booth

The dialogue didn’t stop on the show floor.

Our team joined The Transportation Channel for a podcast conversation that really got into what agencies are dealing with right now, how they’re moving from reactive to proactive operations, how they’re preparing for large-scale event disruptions and where AI actually adds value (and where it doesn’t).

We also had the opportunity to connect with local media in Detroit, where Ahmad Jawad joined WDIV Local 4 for a live interview on improving safety for pedestrians and motorists. It was a great chance to bring these conversations to a broader audience and ground them in real-world impact.

What we heard and what it means

What stuck with me the most is how consistent the message was across the week.

Agencies aren’t looking for flashy technology or standalone tools. They’re looking for solutions that fit their environment, reduce their risk and help them make smarter decisions faster. They want systems that connect data, infrastructure and operations, not create more complexity.

That’s where the ITS industry is headed. And it’s where Iteris is focused: helping agencies operate, protect and evolve their mobility systems over time with technology that’s practical, proven and built for the realities they face every day.

Looking ahead

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth, joined the reception, attended a session or spent time with our team!

We’re leaving Detroit with a lot of momentum and a lot to build on and we’re already looking forward to continuing those conversations on the road to ITS America 2027 in Salt Lake City. #ITSACE2027