What Caltrans does

Caltrans (California Department of Transportation) is the California state government agency responsible for planning, constructing, and maintaining the state's highway system. Founded in 1921 and headquartered in Sacramento at 1120 N Street, it operates through 12 district offices covering all 58 California counties and employs more than 10,000 people. Its core technology infrastructure centers on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), including Changeable Message Signs, CCTV cameras, Roadway Weather Information Systems, and a Performance Measurement System (PeMS) that aggregates real-time traffic data from over 39,000 individual detectors across the freeway network.

The agency distributes this data through the Commercial Wholesale Web Portal (CWWP2) in CSV, JSON, TXT, and XML formats, and operates QuickMap as a public-facing real-time traveler information tool. Caltrans also runs public-facing programs including the Adopt-A-Highway volunteer initiative (active since 1989, with 176,000 participants, 140,000 shoulder miles cleaned, and $265 million in taxpayer savings at $19 million annually), the Be Work Zone Alert and Move Over Law safety campaigns, the ADA Infrastructure Program, the Clean California environmental initiative, and the Workers' Memorial Program honoring 195 employees killed on the job since 1921. The agency does not operate a public API, has no disclosed AI capabilities, and operates primarily as a government data distributor in static formats.

As a government entity, Caltrans is funded through state budget appropriations, federal transportation funds, and gas taxes. It serves the entire California population and visitor base rather than commercial customers, with no disclosed revenue figures, no commercial pricing model, and no venture or private equity ownership. Strategic direction is set under the 2024-2028 Strategic Plan and the California Transportation Plan 2050, with the Caltrans Director (currently Dina El-Tawansy) reporting through the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA).

Name

Caltrans

Legal name

California Department of Transportation

Website

https://dot.ca.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1921

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Caltrans is the California state government agency that plans, builds, and maintains the state's highway system through 12 districts covering all 58 counties, employing over 10,000 people and operating Intelligent Transportation Systems including the PeMS traffic data platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

State Transportation Infrastructure Services

NAICS

Regulation and Administration of Transportation Programs (92612), Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction (23731)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Road & Highway Authorities (Planning, Construction, Maintenance) (BPAIALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Freeway & Ramp Management Systems (Ramp Metering, Lane Control Signals) (TLAJACAG), Lane Closure, Detour & Diversion Operations (Detour Setup, Route Management, Access Management) (TLAJALAK)

Keywords

• State highway management
• Transportation infrastructure
• Intelligent transportation systems
• Traffic data analytics
• Highway maintenance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Caltrans manages California's state highway system, including planning, construction, and maintenance of more than 50,000 miles of state routes across 12 districts covering all 58 California counties. It operates Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and real-time traveler information tools such as QuickMap, PeMS, and the Commercial Wholesale Web Portal (CWWP2), and runs public programs including the ADA Infrastructure Program, Adopt-A-Highway, Clean California, Be Work Zone Alert, and the Move Over Law campaign.

Product overview

Caltrans (California Department of Transportation) operates as the state's transportation authority, providing a portfolio of digital services and public programs. The core digital infrastructure includes the Commercial Wholesale Web Portal (CWWP2) for distributing real-time traveler data, the Performance Measurement System (PeMS) for traffic analytics, and QuickMap for public travel information. These are complemented by accessibility services through the ADA Infrastructure Program, community engagement via the Adopt-A-Highway Program, and public safety campaigns including Be Work Zone Alert and the Move Over Law initiative. The Workers' Memorial Program provides scholarships and memorial services for families of fallen workers. Environmental stewardship is addressed through the Clean California initiative. The organization lacks any public API, AI capabilities, or modern product integration infrastructure, operating primarily as a government agency distributing data in static formats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Caltrans Commercial Wholesale Web Portal (CWWP2): Portal aggregating real-time traveler information from Caltrans districts providing data in common formats including CSV, JSON, TXT, and XML.
• Caltrans Performance Measurement System (PeMS)
• QuickMap
• Be Work Zone Alert
• Clean California

Products and services

• Performance Measurement System (PeMS) A real-time traffic data collection and analytics system that aggregates information from over 39,000 individual detectors across California's freeway system. PeMS integrates data from Caltrans and local agency systems including traffic detectors, incidents, lane closures, toll tags, census traffic counts, vehicle classification, weight-in-motion, and roadway inventory, providing archived historical data for transportation researchers, planners, and analysts.
• Commercial Wholesale Web Portal (CWWP2) A data aggregation portal that provides near-real-time traveler information across Caltrans's 12 districts, distributing data from ITS devices including Changeable Message Signs, CCTV cameras, Roadway Weather Information Systems, and central software systems. Data is available for download in CSV, JSON, TXT, and XML formats for developers, media broadcasters, and enterprise integrators.
• QuickMap Real-time highway conditions and traffic information service providing current highway conditions, live traffic cameras, and travel planning tools for California drivers and travelers.
• ADA Infrastructure Program Program ensuring Caltrans-owned transportation facilities including highways, freeways, pedestrian overcrossings, sidewalks, and rest areas are accessible to persons with disabilities, including an online ADA Access Request system managed by the ADA Compliance Office.
• Adopt-A-Highway Program Volunteer partnership program enabling individuals, organizations, or businesses to adopt and maintain sections of roadside within California's State Highway System through cleanup, planting, graffiti removal, and vegetation control activities. Since 1989, the program has engaged 176,000 participants and cleaned over 140,000 shoulder miles, saving taxpayers approximately $19 million annually.
• Clean California Statewide initiative focused on removing litter and debris from California highways and public spaces to beautify communities and improve water quality. Caltrans has awarded $23 million in grants to strengthen climate resiliency and improve safer mobility under this initiative.
• Be Work Zone Alert (BWZA) Statewide public safety campaign reminding drivers to stay alert and slow down when passing through highway work zones. The campaign features billboards, radio spots, and TV/video content featuring families of Caltrans workers to promote work zone safety.

Quantifiable outcome

• 195 workers killed on the job since 1921, highlighting safety challenges and ongoing commitment to worker protection

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Deutsche BahncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2025Deutsche Bahn is involved in a feasibility study for a zero-emission regional rail system in Fresno County, linking Fresno with ten neighboring communities. This is a strategic partnership for developing sustainable transportation infrastructure.
• Fresno Council of Governments (Fresno COG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2025Fresno COG is spearheading the feasibility study for the zero-emission regional rail system alongside Caltrans involvement.
• California Highway PatrolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic safety partner for highway enforcement and traffic management across California.
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal oversight and funding partner for highway and transportation projects.
• Federal Transit Administration (FTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner for transit projects and civil rights compliance oversight.
• California Transportation CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState oversight body that allocates transportation funding for Caltrans projects.
• Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional transportation authority collaborating on District 12 projects including I-5, I-405, and SR-91 improvements.
• The Toll Roads of Orange County (TCA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional toll road operator partnering on transportation projects in Orange County.
• California Transportation Planning (CTP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency for transportation planning coordination.
• Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState partner for REAL ID and driver-related services.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT): IDOT oversees Illinois's state highway system with multiple district offices, providing peer comparability on interstate highway management, winter operations, and federal-aid program execution similar to Caltrans's mandate.
• Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT): FDOT manages Florida's state highway system through 7 districts and is one of the largest state DOTs by population served. It is closely comparable to Caltrans in scale, district-based operations, and ITS deployment for traffic management.
• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT): PennDOT manages Pennsylvania's state highway system across 11 engineering districts. It is comparable to Caltrans as a large state DOT with district-based operations, federal funding alignment, and an analogous mix of urban and rural infrastructure.
• Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT): CDOT manages Colorado's state highway system, with comparable emphasis on mountain and weather-impacted highway operations, traveler information systems, and district-based regional delivery. It is a peer particularly on the ITS and traveler information dimensions.
• New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT): NYSDOT is the state DOT responsible for New York's highway and bridge infrastructure, organized across regional offices. It mirrors Caltrans's structure of regional district operations, federal funding partnerships, and state-level transportation planning mandate.
• Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT): ODOT operates Ohio's state highway system across 12 districts, directly mirroring Caltrans's 12-district organizational structure. It is a peer in scale, governance model, and reliance on federal highway funding.
• Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT): TxDOT is the state highway authority for Texas, managing the largest state highway network in the U.S. by mileage. It is the most direct peer to Caltrans in scope, function, and statutory authority over state-managed roads and bridges.
• Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT): WSDOT operates Washington's highway system and is known for advanced traveler information systems and real-time data publication comparable to Caltrans's PeMS and QuickMap. Its structure and digital public-facing tools make it a strong peer on technology and customer engagement dimensions.

Broad incumbents

• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA): FHWA is the federal agency providing oversight, funding, and policy direction for the U.S. highway system. It is comparable as the broader incumbent partner that funds, regulates, and partners with Caltrans on the federal-aid highway program.

Regional players

• Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA): MTA operates transit and regional transportation infrastructure in the New York metropolitan area. It is comparable to Caltrans as a large public transportation authority, though its focus is transit-oriented and regional rather than state highway management.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/CaltransHQ
• YouTubeyoutube.com/caltransvideo
• Facebookfacebook.com/CaltransHQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/caltrans
• Instagraminstagram.com/officialcaltranshq

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Caltrans