KL Systems

What KL Systems does

KL Systems Ltd is a UK Intelligent Transport Systems consultancy and engineering firm founded in 2019 by George Brown, operating from Portland House, Belmont Business Park in Durham. The company is structured as a private limited company, founder-owned and bootstrapped, with a small team of one principal plus freelance engineering expertise. Its stated focus areas are connected cars, In-Vehicle Signage (IVS), Green Light Optimal Speed Advisory (GLOSA), traffic management systems, consultancy, and research.

The core technical asset is a cloud-based Virtual VMS (Variable Message Sign) System with a multi-hub cell architecture that aggregates VMS data from multiple traffic authorities, supports manual creation of Virtual VMS, and delivers in-vehicle messages via smartphone apps (VVMS App on Google Play), Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and head-unit integrated navigation. Supporting modules include a Google Maps-based GUI for VMS and traffic-light asset management, a rules-based Simple VMS Management System, an NTCIP VMS Simulator, and a Simple Car Tracking App. KL Systems operates a dedicated server integrating the National Highways DATEX II feed covering approximately 4,000 VMS and 13,000+ matrix signals, with cleansed and direction-enriched data for the M25, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Oxford. Additional integrations include TfGM/ TRL SCOOT 7 traffic-light data, INRIX probe data, ECo-AT DATEX II profile for IVI, and HRS roadworks digital twin models.

KL Systems earns revenue from ITS consultancy (proposals, technical advice, submissions drafting, system design and testing) sold to UK and Hong Kong traffic authorities, plus customized cloud-based IVS ecosystem deployments for connected-car research, subscription access to cleansed National Highways VMS/Matrix data, and one-time licences for tools such as the NTCIP VMS Simulator. Pricing is quote-based with multi-year contracts. The company markets via its professional website, conference presence (ITS World Congress) and Google Play distribution, while engaging directly with traffic authorities, government bodies, and research institutions for enterprise deployments.

Name

KL Systems

Legal name

KL Systems Ltd

Website

https://klsystems.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

KL Systems Ltd is a founder-owned UK Intelligent Transport Systems consultancy and engineering firm that builds cloud-based In-Vehicle Signage and GLOSA systems for UK and Hong Kong traffic authorities, government bodies, and connected-car research institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Intelligent Transport Systems

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computer Systems Design Services (541512)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Centralized Traffic Management Platforms (ATMS/TMC Software) (TLAJACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

V2X Message & Data Exchange Platforms (SPaT/MAP, TIM, CAM/DENM Brokers) (TLAJAHAF), V2X Integration, Interoperability Testing & Certification (Conformance/Field ODDs) (TLAJAHAL), Traffic Management & Intelligent Transportation Systems (Signals, TMCs, Congestion) (BPAIALAC)

Keywords

• Intelligent transport systems
• In-vehicle signage
• Traffic management systems
• Connected vehicle services
• ITS consultancy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. ITS Consultancy Services: Provides traffic management systems support including proposals, technical advice, submissions drafting, technical support, design, and testing services. Expert knowledge of national systems in UK and Hong Kong.
2. Data Subscription Services: Subscription service for transformed and cleansed National Highways VMS data with corrected locations and added direction data.
3. Connected Car Research Systems: Customized cloud-based connected car ecosystem deployments for research applications including GUI for Virtual VMS creation, real-time car monitoring, and two-way messaging capability.
4. Software Tools Licensing: NTCIP VMS Simulator and other software tools developed to support specific project requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

KL Systems provides Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) consultancy and engineering services including traffic management system design, technical support, bid writing, and integration, alongside a proprietary cloud-based In-Vehicle Signage (IVS) platform (Virtual VMS System) that integrates National Highways VMS data, local authority traffic light data, and probe data to deliver real-time warnings and GLOSA speed advisories into connected vehicles via smartphone apps, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

Product overview

KL Systems provides an Intelligent Transport Systems consultancy and engineering portfolio comprising a cloud-based Virtual VMS System as the core platform, supported by specialized modules (Google Maps GUI for asset management, Simple VMS Management System with rules-based automation), data products (National Highways VMS and Matrix Data subscription), and smartphone apps (VVMS App and Simple Car Tracking App). The ecosystem integrates with National Highways feeds, TfGM traffic lights, and delivers IVS via Android Auto and CarPlay. The NTCIP VMS Simulator complements the offering as a standalone Windows tool.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Virtual VMS System: Cloud-based IVS (In-Vehicle Signage) system supporting research and exploratory public deployment with multi-hub architecture across the UK.
• VVMS App

Products and services

• Virtual VMS System Cloud-based In-Vehicle Signage (IVS) system that supports both manual creation of Virtual VMS and ingestion of existing VMS data from multiple sources, with a multi-hub architecture across UK regions (UK default plus Oxford, Bristol, Manchester) and automatic hub transition as vehicles move between areas. Used by traffic authorities and research institutions for research and exploratory public deployment.
• Google Maps GUI for VMS and Traffic Light Assets Google Maps-based simple GIS system for recording and visualizing VMS and traffic light locations with a point-and-click interface allowing objects to be created and deleted with inspection, photo, and street view capabilities. Supports traffic asset management for authorities and operators.
• National Highways VMS and Matrix Data Service Subscription data service delivering real-time data from National Highways for approximately 4,000 VMS and more than 13,000 Matrix Signals across the UK Strategic Road Network. KL Systems has corrected VMS locations and added direction data for key areas (Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Oxford, and the M25). Available as a cleansed, transformed data subscription.
• Simple Car Tracking App for Research Smartphone application that sends vehicle location and speed every 10 seconds to a server, displaying positions dynamically on Google Maps. Proven to run for 24 hours on a single charge; used for connected car research and pathfinder projects.
• Simple VMS Management System with Rules-Based Response Google Maps-based point-and-click GUI for creating and deleting incidents, with a rules-based engine that automatically constructs and sets VMS messages in response to configured incidents without manual intervention. Used for traffic management incident response.
• NTCIP VMS Simulator Simple Windows graphical application that emulates an SNMP/NTCIP Variable Message Sign. Configurable address with a single PC able to emulate several VMS, including diagnostics functionality. Used for testing and development of VMS integrations.
• VVMS App Android application that displays and speaks Virtual VMS messages in-vehicle as the vehicle approaches and passes a message sign, covering three of the busiest areas of the UK Strategic Road Network (M25, Manchester M60 and approaches, Birmingham M6/M5/M42 and approaches). Uses a data feed from National Highways NTIS. Available in two versions: a research demonstration app and a navigation-enabled version.
• ITS Consultancy Services Professional ITS consultancy engagements covering traffic management system proposals, technical advice, submission drafting, technical support, design, and testing services for national systems in the UK and Hong Kong. Includes connected car expert review, IVS and GLOSA consulting, and research project delivery.

Quantifiable outcome

• Unified system across 2 local and 2 national traffic authorities demonstrating integrated IVS
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• White Willow ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Led by Andy Graham, White Willow Consulting partnered with KL Systems on London to Brighton Veteran Car Run pathfinder project and VVMS research project, providing consulting expertise alongside KL Systems technology.
• EloyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Eloy provided connected technology alongside KL Systems for the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run pathfinder project.
• RAC FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021RAC Foundation sponsored the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2021 connected car pathfinder project. Published research report on connected car technology findings including KL Systems contributions.
• Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020TfGM funded 2020 project with KL Systems and Amey exploring GLOSA using SCOOT 7 traffic light data at Radcliffe in Manchester.
• ITS World CongressminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019KL Systems owner George Brown presented paper 'Delivering In Vehicle Signage to Connected Cars' at 26th ITS World Congress in Singapore, October 2019.
• AmeycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmey led the DfT-funded VVMS research project with KL Systems providing technology for field trials and White Willow Consulting providing additional input. KL Systems also partnered with Amey on TfGM-funded GLOSA project in Manchester in 2020.
• INRIXcoreTechnology or IntegrationKL Systems collaborated with INRIX on Dangerous Slowdowns project, transforming INRIX probe-based traffic slowdown data into dynamic virtual VMS for in-vehicle warnings.
• HRS (Highway Resource Services)coreTechnology or IntegrationHRS deploys roadworks signing infrastructure with GPS-enabled communications. Partnered with KL Systems on DfT/TTF-sponsored Digital Twin project transforming HRS roadworks digital twin model into dynamic Virtual VMS.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Commsignia: US/Hungary-based V2X and C-ITS software and hardware provider serving OEMs, Tier 1s, and road operators. Directly comparable to KL Systems in the connected vehicle / IVS / C-ITS software space, with a similar niche, research-to-commercialisation profile.
• Cohda Wireless: Australian-headquartered V2X/C-ITS technology vendor providing V2X software stacks and roadside units. Directly comparable to KL Systems in the connected car, V2X, and C-ITS research and deployment space, with overlapping target customers of transport authorities and research institutions.
• Applied Information: US-based ITS and connected vehicle solutions provider, notably behind the "Glance" connected vehicle system delivering in-vehicle signage and signal phase information. Directly comparable to KL Systems' IVS/GLOSA product offering and similar transport authority customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Yunex Traffic: Former Siemens ITS, one of the largest global ITS and traffic management platform vendors with strong UK presence. Comparable to KL Systems as an end-to-end traffic management and VMS/signal systems provider, but at vastly greater scale and with much broader portfolio.
• Kapsch TrafficCom: Austrian-headquartered global ITS and tolling vendor offering traffic management, VMS, connected vehicle, and tolling systems. Comparable to KL Systems in the traffic management and connected vehicle/IVS space, but with worldwide deployment footprint and balance sheet.
• Cubic Transportation Systems: Major transport technology and services vendor (NextBus, traffic management integrations) with UK road authority relationships. Comparable to KL Systems as a transport systems integrator, but at much greater scale and broader scope.
• Q-Free ASA: Norwegian ITS solutions provider with tolling, traffic management, and connected/Cooperative ITS offerings. Comparable to KL Systems in C-ITS/connected vehicle technology and traffic management, but with much broader international deployment.
• Iteris: US-based smart mobility infrastructure and traffic management firm with V2X and CV-enabled services. Comparable to KL Systems in traffic management and C-ITS consulting/technology, but operating as a broader smart-mobility incumbent.
• SWARCO: Global ITS and traffic solutions vendor covering VMS, signal control, and connected vehicle services. Comparable to KL Systems in the VMS and urban traffic management segments but operating as a broad incumbent with manufacturing and integration scale.

Others

• White Willow Consulting: UK-based connected and autonomous transport consultancy led by Andy Graham, partnering with KL Systems on the London-Brighton run and VVMS research. Comparable as a connected vehicle research consultancy addressing the same government/road authority buyers, but as a peer firm rather than a competitor (collaborator).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kl-systems-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 KL Systems