Outdated traffic infrastructure is no longer just a minor inconvenience. It has become a serious barrier to public safety, transit reliability, and future-ready mobility. But agencies don’t need to start from scratch. CV2X (Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything) technology offers a smarter, scalable path forward. It enables real-time signal preemption, transit priority, and infrastructure modernization without requiring full system replacement.
Why Legacy Preemption Systems Are Holding Cities Back
Many cities still rely on siloed, hardware-based preemption systems that haven’t evolved in decades. These legacy solutions are often limited in range, require constant maintenance, and cannot respond to real-time conditions. This results in slower emergency response, inconsistent transit performance, and underperforming intersections that miss opportunities for dynamic signal control.
Emergency Vehicle Preemption with Real-Time Precision
Unlike traditional systems, CV2X enables emergency vehicles to communicate directly with signalized intersections in real time. This low-latency, edge-based communication allows signals to respond dynamically before the vehicle arrives. It clears the path with greater precision and consistency.
Western Systems, in partnership with Yunex Traffic, has deployed CV2X-enabled Roadside Units (RSUs) in multiple regions, including Caltrans District 12 and Clark County. These deployments are improving situational awareness and intersection responsiveness, helping emergency services access corridors more efficiently without requiring complete infrastructure overhauls.
Transit Signal Priority That Works with the Network
CV2X doesn’t just improve preemption. It redefines how Transit Signal Priority (TSP) functions. Traditional TSP systems often apply fixed logic that disrupts general traffic flow. CV2X enables more intelligent decision-making by using real-time vehicle data to grant conditional, context-aware priority. This ensures smoother service for buses while minimizing impacts to surrounding traffic.
Western Systems has supported major CV2X TSP deployments across California, including the City of Anaheim, Caltrans Districts 11 and 12, and a coordinated regional effort in Coachella Valley. These projects demonstrate that modern EVP and TSP solutions can be deployed at scale. They work with existing infrastructure and support smarter corridor planning.
Academic Research and Real-World CV2X Deployment
In addition to agency partnerships, Western Systems is also supporting academic innovation through a collaborative project with the University of Arizona’s Center for Applied Transportation Sciences (CATS). In the City of Phoenix, the team is piloting CV2X-based emergency vehicle preemption and transit signal priority strategies at urban and rural intersections.
The project integrates RSU2X units and onboard systems to enable real-time communication between vehicles and traffic signals. This setup allows emergency and transit vehicles to request signal adjustments dynamically, improving response times and streamlining bus movements. With the added use of CV2X cellular connectivity, the system remains effective even in areas where RSU coverage is limited, expanding the reach and reliability of preemption and priority services.
A Smart Region in Action
In collaboration with the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), Western Systems completed Phase I of the CV Sync initiative. This phase included the installation of 140 Yunex Traffic RSU2X units along key corridors such as Highway 111, Washington Street, and Ramon Road. Phase II is currently underway, expanding the deployment by another 230 units across the region.
This initiative is more than a technical upgrade. It is a regional strategy for connected mobility. The program supports traffic management during large-scale events, improves sustainability through real-time data collection, and gives local traffic engineers powerful tools through the Yutraffic Concert ATMS platform.
Dual-Mode RSUs Protect Existing Investments
Agencies often need to modernize infrastructure while continuing to support mixed fleets and legacy equipment. Dual-mode RSUs make this possible. Devices like the Yunex RSU2X support both DSRC and CV2X protocols, allowing agencies to expand connected vehicle capabilities without replacing their entire system at once.
This future-ready approach gives transportation departments more flexibility. It reduces the risk of stranded assets and supports a phased rollout that aligns with budgets, timelines, and local priorities.
Scalable Modernization Without Full Infrastructure Replacement
One of the biggest advantages of CV2X is that it allows for incremental modernization. Modular RSUs, corridor-based deployment strategies, and edge computing solutions enable agencies to expand capacity without shutting down intersections.
In Coachella Valley, more than 400 RSUs are being deployed without replacing traffic cabinets or interrupting operations. Similarly, in Caltrans District 12, new RSUs support real-time SPaT and TIM messaging. These systems enhance both traffic flow and traveler information capabilities, creating safer and more efficient intersections.
Ready to Modernize?
Western Systems and Yunex Traffic are delivering real CV2X solutions that are already making an impact. Whether your goal is to improve emergency response, enhance transit reliability, or build smarter corridors, CV2X provides a clear path forward. You can start small, scale confidently, and get the results your community needs.
Get in touch with Western Systems to explore how CV2X can support your goals and fit your existing infrastructure.