Derq Powers NJDOT AI Traffic Network Ahead of FIFA World Cup

Derq, an intelligent transportation company focused on real-time safety and traffic analytics, is supporting a major Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) upgrade across 95 sites surrounding MetLife Stadium ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Championship.

The project is part of a broader effort led by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) to prepare critical roadway infrastructure for a significant increase in traffic during the tournament, with more than 1 million visitors expected across the New York–New Jersey region.

The deployment spans highways and surface streets throughout the Meadowlands area, where a mix of complex roadway infrastructure and event-driven congestion presents unique operational challenges.

Derq’s AI-powered analytics platform is being used to process real-time data from roadway cameras and monitor key conditions, including:

• Crash detection

• Wrong-way driving

• Pedestrian and right-of-way intrusions

• Fire detection

• Animal detection

• Vehicle and pedestrian counts, and traffic patterns

The data feeds into NJDOT’s Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS), helping transportation teams monitor conditions and manage traffic during high-volume events.

Michael Baker International specified the project and led a comprehensive ITS needs assessment, earning a Transportation Achievement Award from the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) for its work.

Engineering firm HNTB is leading implementation, with Derq providing analytics and monitoring capabilities within the broader system, alongside regional partner SCP Signal Control Products.

As cities prepare for large-scale events like the World Cup, transportation agencies are placing greater emphasis on real-time visibility into roadway conditions.

“This project marks an important opportunity to apply our technology in one of the most complex and high-visibility transportation environments tied to the biggest sporting event in the world,” said Dr. Georges Aoude, co-founder and CEO of Derq. “By delivering continuous insights and real-time alerts, we enable transportation agencies to better anticipate risks, adapt to changing conditions, and operate more proactively.”

While the system is being deployed ahead of the World Cup, the infrastructure is expected to support ongoing traffic operations across the region, improving visibility into roadway conditions during future events and everyday travel.