What Southern Lighting & Traffic Systems does

Southern Lighting & Traffic Systems (SLTS) is a privately held regional distributor and systems integrator of traffic signal equipment and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) solutions, founded in 1985 (originally as Southeastern Pole Sales) and headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, with additional offices in Nashville, Tennessee and Huntsville, Alabama. The company distributes and integrates a multi-vendor portfolio covering traffic management systems (Econolite Centracs 2.0 ATMS, Centracs Mobility), detection hardware (Autoscope video detection, Ouster BlueCity 3D lidar with edge AI, Econolite EVO radar, Reno A&E in-pavement loops), V2X communications (Commsignia RSU/OBU, BlueTOAD Spectra), pedestrian safety products (Guardian Wave touchless push buttons, RRFBs), traffic controller cabinets and poles, and supporting platforms from Tomar, Axis, EtherWAN, Millerbernd, Network Optix, Boschung, and Juganu. The company also provides in-house pole engineering, IMSA-certified installation and field support, software maintenance agreements with VPN-based remote support, and training facilities in Georgia and Tennessee. SLTS's customer base consists of state departments of transportation, city and county traffic engineering departments, and municipal authorities across seven southeastern US states (Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and South Carolina), with the Georgia Department of Transportation serving as a flagship partner.

The business operates on a primarily project-driven, hardware-anchored revenue model, supplemented by recurring software maintenance agreements, professional services (installation, field support, training), and custom pole engineering. Distribution is direct via a regional sales team with territory-specific sales managers (Craig Carrow, David Kelvington, Cooper Jones, Lauren Schilling, and others) covering each southeastern state, supported by two strategically placed warehouses (Alpharetta for Caltrans-spec inventory, Nashville for NEMA-spec inventory). The company's most strategically significant recent engagement is the expansion of the Ouster BlueCity AI-powered lidar traffic management solution from 6 to 30+ intersections in Atlanta, executed in partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup near Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The offering includes AI perception, real-time signal actuation, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and V2X safety alerts, indicating a deliberate positioning shift toward AI-enabled ITS, connected vehicle infrastructure, and Smart City deployments while maintaining the legacy distribution business.

Name

Southern Lighting & Traffic Systems

Legal name

Southern Lighting and Traffic Systems

Website

https://southernltg.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Southern Lighting & Traffic Systems is a privately held regional distributor and systems integrator of traffic signal equipment and ITS solutions, serving state DOTs and municipalities across seven southeastern US states with hardware, AI-enabled traffic management software, and certified installation services since 1985.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Equipment Distribution

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Traffic Systems & Road Safety Infrastructure (Signals, ITS, Barriers, Signage, Markings) (IMAFAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Connected Vehicle & V2X Traffic Operations (RSUs, SPaT/MAP, CV Applications) (TLAJACAJ), Transit Signal Priority (TSP) & Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) (TLAJACAK)

Keywords

• Traffic signal equipment
• Intelligent transportation systems
• Vehicle detection systems
• Traffic management software
• Roadway safety products

Headquarters

HQ city

Cumming

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Traffic Control Equipment Sales: Sales of traffic signal products, poles, cabinets, controllers, detection equipment, signals and lighting hardware to transportation agencies and municipalities.
2. Software Maintenance Agreements: Software maintenance agreements on all system software products providing online remote support, software updates, system configuration assistance, and troubleshooting.
3. Installation and Field Support Services: On-site installation assistance and field support services provided by IMSA certified technicians.
4. Training Services: Training facilities in TN and GA offering Lunch and Learns, product overviews and full product certifications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Southern Lighting & Traffic Systems distributes and integrates traffic control equipment, pole products, and a full line of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) products across seven southeastern U.S. states. The company serves government transportation agencies, municipalities, and contractors by supplying traffic management systems, video and radar vehicle detection, lidar-based AI traffic solutions, vehicle and pedestrian signals, traffic controllers and cabinets, V2X communications, emergency vehicle preemption, and pedestrian safety devices, complemented by IMSA-certified installation, software maintenance, and training services.

Product overview

Southern Lighting & Traffic Systems (SLTS) is a regional distributor and service provider of traffic signal equipment and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) solutions, operating since 1985 with headquarters in Alpharetta, GA and additional offices in Nashville, TN and Huntsville, AL. The company does not manufacture its own products but distributes and integrates solutions from multiple technology partners. Their product portfolio centers on traffic management infrastructure including Ouster BlueCity (AI-powered lidar-based traffic management with NEMA TS2 certification), Econolite Centracs 2.0/ Mobility (Advanced Transportation Management System), and Derq Sense (AI-powered safety event detection). Detection equipment offerings include Autoscope video detection, Econolite EVO radar, Ouster lidar sensors, and in-pavement detection systems. The company also distributes pedestrian safety products (Guardian Wave touchless buttons, RRFBs, LED enhanced signs), traffic signal hardware (Econolite signals, Pelco hardware, GE LED inserts), V2X communication equipment (Commsignia RSU/OBU, BlueTOAD), CCTV and specialty equipment, traffic controller cabinets, and poles/signals/lighting hardware. Supporting services include IMSA-certified installation, software maintenance with VPN support, and training facilities. The company serves DOTs and municipalities across Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and South Carolina.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ouster BlueCity Traffic Management System AI-powered traffic management solution combining 3D digital lidar sensors with edge AI perception software for real-time traffic actuation, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and V2X safety alerts; cloud-based analytics provide monitoring and visualization. NEMA TS2 certified. Targeted at state DOTs and municipal transportation agencies.
• Centracs 2.0 ATMS Advanced Transportation Management System providing an integrated platform for traffic signal control, ITS field device monitoring and control, information management, graphical data display, and advanced traffic algorithms for state DOTs and municipal traffic agencies.
• Centracs Mobility Continuous performance monitoring system for traffic signals providing high-resolution traffic data collection and analytics for proactive signal timing optimization, real-time adaptive control, and connected and autonomous vehicle and Smart City applications.
• Derq Sense AI-powered real-time detection and tracking of vehicles and vulnerable road users, enabling adaptive traffic signal actuation based on observed safety events such as red light running prediction or jaywalking pedestrians, with integration to industry-standard traffic controllers.
• Autoscope Vision Video Detection Machine vision-based vehicle detection system providing above-ground video detection for signalized intersections, using Ethernet over Power technology for power and communication via Vision Comm Manager, with SDLC and wired I/O interface support for traffic engineering agencies.
• Econolite EVO Radar Advanced radar detection technology providing stop bar, advance detection up to 900 feet, and departure detection on two approaches with a single sensor for cost-effective intersection detection integrated with traffic controller cabinets.
• Commsignia V2X RSU and OBU V2X communication devices including ITS-RS4 roadside unit for high-performance roadside applications and ITS-OB4 onboard unit for fleet vehicles, with a real-time V2X software stack for connected vehicle and Smart City deployments.
• Guardian Wave Touchless Pedestrian Push Button Touchless pedestrian activation system eliminating the need to push physical buttons, featuring easy wiring access and flexible configuration for safety and cost-effectiveness at signalized intersections.
• Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon (RRFB) LED flashing beacon device combined with pedestrian warning signs providing high-visibility strobe-like warning to drivers when pedestrians use crosswalks; shown to increase driver yielding from 0-26% to 72-96%.
• TOMAR Strobecom II Optical Preemption Optical preemption system for emergency vehicle and transit vehicle priority, providing signal preemption requests to traffic controllers for faster emergency response times and transit signal priority.
• Econolite/Safetran Traffic Controller Cabinets NEMA, Caltrans, and ITS standard traffic controller cabinets housing traffic signal control electronics for intersection management.
• NEMA, Caltrans, and ATC Traffic Controllers Traffic signal controllers supporting NEMA TS-1 and TS-2, Caltrans 2070-E, and ATC standards for all types of cabinets and intersection applications.
• BlueTOAD Spectra RSU Integrated travel-time and connected vehicle data management roadside unit managing multiple simultaneous priority requests for V2X signal priority, pedestrian safety, emergency vehicle preemption, and data collection and analytics applications.
• ITS Integration and Support Services Comprehensive services including warehouse inventory at Alpharetta and Nashville locations, on-site installation assistance by IMSA certified technicians, software maintenance with VPN-based remote support, and training facilities in GA and TN for product certifications, Lunch and Learns, and product overviews.

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and standard.

• Ouster BlueCitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 23 April 2026SLTS serves as a distributor for Ouster's BlueCity traffic management solution, deploying lidar-based traffic detection systems. The partnership has expanded to over 30 intersections in Atlanta, timed for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, integrating 3D digital lidar sensors with AI perception software for real-time traffic actuation and V2X safety alerts.
• EconolitecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSLTS distributes Econolite products including Centracs ATMS software, Centracs Mobility, traffic signal controllers (2070, NEMA, ATC), cabinets, Autoscope video detection, and EVO radar sensors.
• DerqcoreTechnology or IntegrationSLTS offers Derq's AI-powered traffic safety technology including DERQ SENSE for real-time detection and tracking of vehicles and vulnerable road users, and DERQ INSIGHT for safety event analytics.
• Georgia Department of TransportationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGDOT collaborates with SLTS and Ouster for deployment of advanced traffic management solutions, including the 30+ intersection deployment in Atlanta ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• Tomar ElectronicsstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSLTS distributes Tomar's STROBECOM II optical preemption system for emergency vehicle and transit vehicle priority.
• Axis CommunicationsstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSLTS distributes Axis traffic cameras and sensors for incident response, roadwork planning, and traffic flow optimization.
• CommsigniastandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSLTS distributes Commsignia V2X communication solutions including ITS-RS4 roadside units and ITS-OB4 onboard units for connected vehicle applications.
• EtherWAN SystemsstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSLTS distributes EtherWAN hardened Ethernet, PoE, and fiber connectivity products for transportation applications.
• Millerbernd ManufacturingstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSLTS distributes Millerbernd traffic signal poles meeting DOT specifications with galvanized or decorative finishes.
• Network OptixstandardTechnology or IntegrationSLTS offers Network Optix Nx GO platform for video management and transportation data interoperability across departments and agencies.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Ouster: Manufacturer of 3D digital lidar sensors and developer of the BlueCity traffic management perception-software stack — currently SLTS's flagship vendor for the Atlanta FIFA deployment. Comparable because Ouster is both partner and adjacent competitor as it builds direct relationships with end-customers (e.g., GDOT) that may bypass or disintermediate regional distributors over time.
• Commsignia: Hungarian-American vendor of V2X roadside and onboard units (ITS-RS4, ITS-OB4) — distributed in the southeastern US by SLTS. Comparable because Commsignia's V2X products complement Econolite's CV coprocessor and BlueTOAD Spectra RSUs in SLTS's connected-vehicle portfolio, positioning both firms around the same early-stage connected-infrastructure market.
• Derq: AI-powered traffic safety analytics company whose DERQ SENSE and DERQ INSIGHT products are integrated and resold by SLTS as part of its ITS software stack. Comparable because Derq is a partner whose technology is bound into SLTS's value proposition, while also being an adjacent emerging player that could conceivably scale its own US channel relationships.

Broad incumbents

• Iteris: California-based provider of ITS solutions, traffic management software, and mobility analytics serving state DOTs and smart cities nationwide. Comparable to SLTS because it competes for the same transportation-agency budget dollars, but operates as a much larger national software-and-services incumbent rather than a regional hardware distributor.
• Econolite: Incumbent manufacturer and direct integrator of ATMS software (Centracs), traffic controllers (2070, NEMA, ATC), Autoscope video detection, EVO radar, and connected vehicle modules — the dominant broad-line vendor in North American traffic management. Comparable because Econolite's products form the technological backbone of SLTS's distribution portfolio, making them simultaneously a critical partner and the natural upstream competitor at the agency level.
• Cubic Transportation: Large incumbent systems integrator delivering traffic management, transit fare collection, and smart-city platforms to transportation agencies globally. Comparable to SLTS at the customer-level (state DOTs and municipalities), but Cubic is a much larger diversified defense and transportation prime with software-heavy delivery versus SLTS's regional hardware-led model.

Regional players

• Paradigm Traffic Systems: Rocky Mountain / Western US regional distributor of traffic signal equipment, ITS products, and signal infrastructure. Comparable to SLTS in scope (multi-vendor traffic control distribution plus services), with a different geographic footprint (Colorado/West) creating non-overlapping coverage rather than head-to-head competition.
• Temple, Inc. Indiana-based regional distributor of traffic signal, ITS, and roadway safety products serving Midwest DOTs and municipalities. Comparable to SLTS as a regional multi-line distributor providing inventory, technical support, and installation services to government transportation agencies.

Direct peers

• MoboTrex: Manufacturer and integrator of traffic signal cabinets, controllers, poles, and ITS products serving DOTs and contractors nationwide. Comparable to SLTS because it occupies the same traffic control infrastructure category, with the meaningful distinction of manufacturing cabinets/poles in-house versus SLTS's distribution-and-integration role.
• TAP (Traffic & Parking Control Co.): Regional distributor of traffic control and parking products serving Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana with a similar model of multi-vendor hardware distribution and field services for state DOTs and municipalities — directly comparable in business model, customer base, and category mix to SLTS but operating in the South Central US rather than the Southeast.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/southern-lighting-traffic-systems

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Southern Lighting & Traffic Systems