Mladá Boleslav ITS and public transport project

The challenge

The Czech city of Mladá Boleslav, located around 50 km north-east of Prague, faced growing demands on its traffic management and public transport infrastructure. With approximately 45,000 inhabitants and major SKODA automotive production and warehouse facilities adjacent to residential areas, the city experiences intense traffic pressure. Thousands of employees commute across four daily shifts, large volumes of trucks transport car parts between storage and production plants, and additional motorway traffic passes through and around the city. 

To address these challenges, the city adopted a conceptual approach to modernizing its key traffic management and transport systems. Beginning in 2021, Mladá Boleslav identified its needs, secured EU and state funding, and sought a partner capable of delivering a complete ITS package, including technology, infrastructure, and project management. The ITS program was structured into three projects spanning 2022–2026 with a total value exceeding €10 million. Due to EU funding requirements, the city faced tight deadlines and strict quality standards. 

At the same time, SKODA — headquartered in Mladá Boleslav — was investing in ITS infrastructure, including an extensive CCTV system, and planned to use municipal CCAM (Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility) infrastructure for piloting self-driving vehicles. This required a scalable, future-ready system capable of integrating multiple technologies and supporting cooperative ITS applications.

The process

SWARCO was selected through open tenders as the only ITS provider capable of delivering the full scope of required solutions while also acting as integrator for third-party technologies and infrastructure works. SWARCO won all three projects and began implementing the complete ITS program for the city. 

Between April and December 2022, a state-of-the-art MyCity traffic management system was deployed in the customer’s data center, including a Strategy Manager and traffic information server. Eleven roadside units at intersections and on-board units for emergency vehicles were installed. A red-light violation enforcement system was introduced, and 23 intersections were modernized with new poles, signals, cameras, and controllers. Major infrastructure works included 8.8 km of trenches, 5.5 km of fibre-optic network, and 5 km of public lighting connections. 

From June 2024 to February 2025, a complete NEXT fleet management system was implemented, including a new monitoring center and integration of a third-party ticketing system. The CCAM system was expanded to include bus priority functionality with a back-office extension, 13 roadside units, 33 on-board units, and on-board cameras in buses equipped with analytics and event detection capabilities. 

The third phase, running from May 2025 to May 2026, will extend CCAM technology to all intersections in the city. This includes 12 additional roadside units, new signals, controllers, cameras, 18 strategic detectors, more than 50 additional CCTV cameras, and further expansion of trenches, fibre-optic lines, and signalization cables. 

The solution

SWARCO delivered a fully integrated ITS ecosystem that enables efficient and coordinated traffic management across Mladá Boleslav. The system supports all traffic types, including private vehicles, freight traffic, public transport, and priority access for rescue, police, and fire brigade vehicles. 

With the MyCity platform, Strategy Manager, CCAM infrastructure, adaptive signal control, fleet management, CCTV integration, and enforcement systems, the city now benefits from improved traffic coordination, enhanced safety, and greater operational efficiency. The scalable infrastructure and widespread deployment of roadside units create a strong technological foundation for cooperative ITS applications. 

Importantly, the solution also establishes an ideal framework for developing CCAM pilots and self-driving vehicle testing in cooperation with SKODA. By combining advanced traffic management, connected infrastructure, and future-ready communication systems, Mladá Boleslav is positioning itself as a forward-looking city prepared for the next generation of smart and automated mobility.