High Star Traffic

What High Star Traffic does

High Star Traffic is a privately held Midwest provider of traffic control services, equipment rentals, and traffic signage, headquartered in Bartlett, Illinois. The company was formed in May 2023 through the rebranding and consolidation of three founder-led businesses — Traffic Control & Protection (TCP), Trafic Services (TSI), and Traffic Control Specialists (TCS) — and traces its operating history to 1988. It employs 251-500 staff across offices in Illinois and Indiana, with operating coverage spanning Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana, and is led by CEO Jon Smith.

The company's core offerings comprise three integrated service lines: (1) Traffic Control Services — flagging, pavement marking and striping, design and deployment (MUTCD-compliant), smart traffic systems / Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), barrier walls and guardrail impacts, lane closures, emergency traffic control, and water blasting for pavement marking removal; (2) Equipment Rental — barricades, message boards, cones, and posts, with delivery, setup, and teardown services; and (3) Traffic Signage — a broad catalog including construction, guide, parking, recreation, regulatory, roll-up, school, snow route, and warning signs, plus custom signs, stencils, and marking flags manufactured in an in-house sign shop. Services are delivered by ATSSA-certified flaggers who are LIUNA union members, and all work is structured to meet FHWA MUTCD standards.

High Star Traffic makes money through three revenue mechanics: professional-services contracts for traffic control management (flagging, design, pavement marking), usage-based rental of physical equipment and signage, and one-time/transactional sales of manufactured signs. Pricing is project-quoted, not publicly disclosed. The company uses a sales-led, direct-service go-to-market targeting five customer categories: DOT/Tollway agencies (primary), utility contractors, municipalities, general contractors, and special event organizers. It is institutionally backed by Hastings Equity Partners following a 2022 investment.

Name

High Star Traffic

Legal name

High Star Traffic

Website

https://highstartraffic.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

High Star Traffic is a Midwest provider of traffic control services, equipment rentals, and traffic signage serving DOT/tollway agencies, municipalities, utilities, general contractors, and special event organizers across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Traffic Control Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Road Transportation (4884), Sign Manufacturing (339950), Sign Manufacturing (33995)

akta.pro primary industry

Traffic Control & Work Zone Management (Flagging, Lane Closures) (BPABAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Road Signage, Markings & Delineation (Regulatory/Warning/Guide Signs, Pavement Markings, Reflectors) (TLAJAGAB), Traffic Systems & Road Safety Infrastructure (Signals, ITS, Barriers, Signage, Markings) (IMAFAEAI), Event Parking & Traffic Management (BPABAKAF)

Keywords

• Traffic control services
• Traffic equipment rental
• Traffic signage supply
• Work zone management
• Flagging services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bartlett

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Traffic Control Services: Professional traffic control services including flagging, pavement marking, design and deployment, barrier walls, lane closures, emergency traffic control, and general traffic/pedestrian flow control. Services provided by ATSSA-certified flaggers.
2. Equipment Rental: Rental of traffic control equipment including barricades, message boards, cones, and posts. Flexible rental options for projects of all sizes with delivery, setup and teardown services.
3. Traffic Signage Sales and Rental: Sales and rental of traffic signage including construction, guide, parking, recreation, regulatory, roll-up, school, snow, warning signs, custom signs, stencils and marking flags. In-house sign shop for custom signs.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

High Star Traffic is a Midwest traffic control services provider delivering professional flagging, pavement marking, lane closures, barrier wall installation, emergency traffic control, and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). The company also rents traffic control equipment including barricades, message boards, cones, and posts, and sells/rents traffic signage (construction, regulatory, warning, school, custom) through an in-house sign shop. Services are delivered by ATSSA-certified, LIUNA-union flaggers to DOTs, municipalities, utilities, general contractors, and event organizers across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

Product overview

High Star Traffic operates as a unified service company providing three integrated core offerings: Traffic Control Services (flagging, pavement marking, design & deployment, smart traffic systems, barrier walls, lane closures, emergency traffic control, and water blasting), Equipment Rental (barricades, message boards, cones, and posts), and Traffic Signage (construction, guide, parking, recreation, regulatory, roll-up, school, snow route, warning signs plus custom signs, stencils, and brackets). Formerly Traffic Control & Protection, the company rebranded in May 2023 by combining three founder-led businesses (TCP, TSI, TCS) to create a comprehensive one-stop solution for traffic management across the Midwest.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Traffic Control Services Comprehensive traffic control services including flagging, pavement marking/striping, design and deployment, smart traffic systems (ITS), barrier walls, lane closures, emergency traffic control, pedestrian flow control, and water blasting, delivered by ATSSA-certified professionals to DOTs, municipalities, utilities, contractors, and event organizers.
• Equipment Rental Rental of traffic control equipment including barricades, message boards, cones, and posts, with flexible rental options, delivery, setup, and teardown services for projects of all sizes and durations across the Midwest.
• Traffic Signage Sales and rental of traffic signage including construction, guide, parking, recreation, regulatory, roll-up, school, snow route, warning signs, plus custom signs, stencils, marking flags, and tri-fold stop signs, supported by an in-house sign shop with quick turnarounds.

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA)coreOthersProfessional certification organization for traffic safety workers. High Star Traffic flaggers are ATSSA certified, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices for traffic control.
• Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA)coreOthersLabor union representing construction and infrastructure workers. High Star Traffic flaggers are proud members of LIUNA, guaranteeing safety in every project.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Safety Zone Specialists: Regional traffic control and safety services company operating across the Midwest with a service portfolio spanning flagging, barricades, and pavement marking. Direct peer in scale, geographic focus, and customer type.
• RoadSafe Traffic Systems: National traffic control and pavement marking services company serving DOTs, contractors, and municipalities across the U.S. Direct competitor on flagging, pavement marking, and work-zone safety services with overlapping customer base in public infrastructure.
• Traffic Management Inc. Midwest and national traffic control services provider specializing in lane closures, flagging, and pavement marking. Closely comparable business model and customer mix to High Star Traffic, with similar exposure to DOT and municipal contracts.
• Statewide Traffic Control: Traffic control services provider with strong Midwest presence offering flagging, equipment rental, and signage comparable to High Star Traffic's core offerings, particularly for DOT and municipal customers.
• Construction Signs & Safety: Provider of construction traffic signs, barricades, and work zone safety equipment for road contractors and municipalities. Overlaps significantly with High Star Traffic's signage and equipment rental product lines.
• ACME Barricades: Traffic control and barricade rental company serving contractors and government clients with comparable equipment rental, signage, and lane closure offerings. Similar service breadth and customer profile to High Star Traffic.
• Safety Signs & Barricades: Specialty traffic signage and barricade provider serving construction and infrastructure customers in the Midwest. Comparable product portfolio to High Star's in-house sign shop and equipment rental offerings.

Emerging players

• Streetsaver USA: Pavement marking and roadway services company providing striping, marking removal, and related traffic control services. Comparable in sub-product focus on pavement marking and water blasting within High Star Traffic's service portfolio.
• 3D Traffic Solutions: Traffic control and work zone management company with overlapping service offerings including flagging, equipment rental, and pavement marking. Comparable in business model but typically operates at smaller scale in select regional markets.

Broad incumbents

• AWP Safety (Area Wide Protective): One of the largest North American providers of traffic control and safety services, operating a national branch network across more than 30 states. Comparable to High Star Traffic in core services (flagging, lane closures, signage rental) but with substantially greater geographic reach and fleet scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/high-star-traffic

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about High Star Traffic