Western Systems at ITS Arizona 2026: Empowering Transportation Innovation
Transportation technology continues to evolve, but the goal remains the same: helping people move more safely and efficiently. Western Systems is heading to Mesa for the ITS Arizona 33rd Annual Conference, taking place October 7–8, 2026, at the Mesa Convention Center.
This year’s theme, “Empowering Innovation – Then and Now,” highlights how intelligent transportation systems have evolved. It also looks ahead at what is next for Arizona’s transportation community.
Our team looks forward to connecting with transportation agencies, engineers, planners, partners, and other ITS professionals from across Arizona.
Bringing Arizona’s ITS Community Together
The 2026 ITS Arizona Annual Conference brings together transportation professionals for two days of technical education, networking, and conversations about the future of intelligent transportation. The conference begins Wednesday, October 7, with a technical workshop followed by an exhibitor showcase and reception. Thursday, October 8, features a keynote presentation, technical sessions, time with exhibitors, and additional networking opportunities.
Here are some of the highlights planned for each day.
Day 1 Highlights: Wednesday, October 7
Day 1 combines technical education with opportunities to connect with transportation professionals and exhibitors. The schedule includes:
- 11:00 AM: Registration opens
- 11:30 AM–12:00 PM: Lunch and networking
- 12:00–3:00 PM: Day 1 technical workshop
- 3:00–6:00 PM: Exhibitor showcase and reception
The afternoon reception will include entertainment, drinks, appetizers, and the conference’s miniature golf competition in the exhibitor hall.
A Closer Look at Traffic Signal Timing
A major focus of Day 1 is the technical workshop, “Traffic Signal Timing Strategies From the Perspective of Agency Partners.”
The workshop will bring together representatives from the Maricopa Association of Governments, the City of Mesa, the City of Chandler, the City of Phoenix, the City of Surprise, the Town of Gilbert, the City of Peoria, Maricopa County DOT, and Arizona DOT.
The discussion will explore how agencies develop and implement coordinated signal timing strategies in real-world environments. Topics include cycle length and offset basics, transit priority, freight corridors, light rail preemption, and the coordination challenges that can arise when multiple agencies share a roadway or signal timing plan.
These are practical issues that connect closely with the work Western Systems supports through traffic management and local control systems, detection, connected vehicle technology, and other intelligent transportation solutions.
Day 2 Highlights: Thursday, October 8
Day 2 begins with breakfast and time in the exhibitor hall before moving into a full day of presentations and technical sessions. The schedule includes:
- 7:30–8:30 AM: Breakfast and exhibitor showcase
- 8:30–9:30 AM: Opening remarks and keynote speaker
- 9:30–10:00 AM: Break
- 10:00–11:30 AM: Session 1
- 11:30 AM–1:00 PM: Lunch
- 1:00–2:30 PM: Session 2
- 2:30–3:30 PM: Break, raffle drawing in the exhibitor hall, and closing remarks
- 3:30–5:00 PM: Session 3
Day 2 will feature presentations focused on the latest ITS planning, implementation, and research efforts. Speakers will include public agency representatives, practitioners, planners, and researchers from Arizona and around the country.
The miniature golf competition will also continue in the exhibitor hall during Day 2, providing another opportunity to spend time with exhibitors and colleagues between conference sessions.
Want to see everything planned for the conference? View the full ITS Arizona 2026 conference schedule for the latest session times, workshops, exhibitor activities, and event details.
Connecting Arizona’s Transportation Community
ITS Arizona is about more than technical sessions. The conference gives agencies, technology providers, consultants, researchers, and other transportation professionals opportunities to exchange ideas and learn from work taking place throughout the state.
The exhibitor showcase is open on both days, giving attendees time to explore transportation technologies and talk directly with organizations working across the ITS industry.
For Western Systems, these conversations are especially valuable. They provide an opportunity to hear directly from agencies about their challenges while sharing technologies that can support safer, more reliable, and more connected transportation networks.
Building on Western Systems’ Work in Arizona
Arizona has been an important part of Western Systems’ growth since the company expanded into the state in 2020. Today, Western Systems works with agencies and partners to support transportation infrastructure ranging from traffic signal cabinets and backup power solutions to communications, detection, traffic management, and connected vehicle technology.
That work includes collaboration with the University of Arizona’s Center for Applied Transportation Sciences and Yunex Traffic on connected vehicle technology in Phoenix. The project focuses on connected vehicle applications and smart preemption and priority solutions designed to support safer and more efficient transportation.
ITS Arizona provides another opportunity for Western Systems to bring those real-world experiences into conversations about the technologies and infrastructure agencies need now and in the future.
From Proven Infrastructure to Emerging ITS Technology
The conference theme, “Empowering Innovation – Then and Now,” reflects an important part of today’s transportation environment. Agencies are adopting new technologies while still relying on the infrastructure that keeps transportation networks operating every day.
Modern ITS networks depend on reliable traffic signal equipment, communications, power, and field infrastructure. At the same time, agencies are incorporating connected systems, real-time data, advanced detection, intelligent monitoring, and other technologies into their operations.
Western Systems works across these areas to help agencies connect proven infrastructure with emerging ITS technology. The goal is to build transportation systems that give agencies greater visibility into their networks while supporting safety, reliability, and efficient operations.
Join Western Systems at ITS Arizona 2026
The ITS Arizona 33rd Annual Conference takes place October 7–8, 2026, at the Mesa Convention Center, Building C, 263 N. Center Street in Mesa, Arizona.
Our team looks forward to connecting with Arizona transportation professionals, learning from agency experiences, and discussing the technologies shaping the next generation of intelligent transportation.
Planning to attend ITS Arizona 2026? Visit the ITS Arizona conference page for conference details and registration information. You can also contact Western Systems to connect with our team before the event.