In the bustling landscape of many cities throughout the United States, innovative solutions are vital to keep traffic flowing safely, yet efficiently. At the forefront of this innovation is Xtelligent, an L.A.-based startup reshaping the way we approach traffic control.
Founded by the visionary entrepreneur Michael Lim, Xtelligent has pioneered the Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS) to replace the 1970s traffic control system currently used on 98% of our roads. Utilizing artificial intelligence and control algorithms, Xtelligent can ensure scalability, efficiency and communication between areas within a modern city’s traffic control system.
Xtelligent is currently participating in the Sustainable Mobility Accelerator program, a collaboration with The Company Lab (CO.LAB) and gener8tor. The Accelerator program provides a partnership between startups and local companies and organizations with similar goals — such as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the city of Chattanooga — to create an inflection point for those within the region.
“Chattanooga is unique,” Lim said. “There is a collaborative environment which is appealing to us as we take that next step of becoming a fully scaled company and search for talent.”
Lim has an extensive background in infrastructure including working in post-conflict areas overseas for the United Nations. This inspired him to implement his data mining and infrastructure skills and focus on optimizing funding strategies rather than relying on increased funding for US infrastructure projects.
Since its 2018 inception, Xtelligent has achieved great success in enhancing network travel time, improving road network reliability and reducing CO2 emissions — all while minimizing what can cost the US billions of dollars per year in outdated, traditional traffic systems.
According to the University of California, this real-time technology has led to a 50% improvement in road reliability. Much of this is attributed to the fact that you can make changes at individual nodes and make real-time adjustments based on current traffic conditions.
For instance, traditional timed systems often contribute and add to congestion during peak hours as vehicles get stuck behind those never-changing traffic lights, producing major economic and environmental costs.
Data from third-party evaluators including the University of California and Argonne National Laboratory established that this system creates an approximate 20% reduction in CO2 emissions based on real-life environments and this number is expected to increase.
As Xtelligent progresses through the program, Lim looks forward to the opportunity to collaborate with various entities within Chattanooga’s thriving ecosystem as well as partners within the Sustainable Mobility Accelerator cohort. This involves tapping into the invaluable resources provided by local universities and leveraging the significant influence of industry leaders like Volkswagen.
“We are a company that requires collaboration,” Lim said. “Fundamentally, we are all startups trying to address similar opportunities and learn from one another.”
Through its innovative approach in utilizing the latest research, Xtelligent aims to make a significant impact with its vision for a future of multimodal and autonomous transportation in Chattanooga and beyond.
“I want to express my gratitude to the folks in the Chattanooga region for providing us with this opportunity. I appreciate the people that we will work with and am grateful for the people in Chattanooga,” Lim said.
