Washington, D.C. Enhances Urban Mobility with SWARCO McCain’s Cutting-Edge Traffic Management Systems

The challenge

Washington, D.C., home to roughly 700,000 residents and welcoming 20 to 25 million visitors annually, faces significant traffic complexity. Major routes such as I-395, I-295, and the George Washington Parkway frequently experience congestion and bottlenecks. The city’s unique layout — a combination of grid patterns and diagonal avenues — creates irregular intersections and numerous traffic conflict zones.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) manages more than 1,600 signalized intersections using the legacy SWARCO McCain QuicNet Traffic Signal Management Software. With aging infrastructure and increasing mobility demands, the system was under growing strain. Balancing the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, buses, and private vehicles placed additional pressure on signal timing and intersection performance. DDOT recognized the urgent need to modernize its traffic management system to create a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable transportation network.

The process

To address these challenges, DDOT partnered with SWARCO McCain to deploy the MyCity Traffic Management System (TMS). The project followed a phased migration strategy, allowing a smooth transition from the legacy QuicNet system to MyCity TMS. During the transition period, both systems operated in parallel to ensure uninterrupted traffic operations.

In parallel with the software upgrade, DDOT modernized its central traffic system infrastructure. Legacy 170 Controllers were replaced with advanced McCain ATC FleX® Controllers running the latest Omni eX® Intersection Control Software. This hardware and software modernization strengthened intersection control capabilities and prepared the network for future mobility demands.

The solution

Washington, D.C. now operates on a modern, future-ready traffic management platform that enhances safety, reduces congestion, and improves operational reliability across more than 1,600 intersections.

The MyCity TMS provides advanced traffic control capabilities capable of managing even the most complex intersections, including Dupont Circle — widely regarded as the most complex intersection in North America. With upgraded controllers and intelligent intersection control software, the city has strengthened its foundation for smart city initiatives.

The new system streamlines operations, reduces downtime, supports sustainable urban mobility, and enables more efficient management of multimodal traffic. Through this comprehensive modernization, DDOT has established a resilient and scalable traffic management infrastructure designed to meet the evolving mobility needs of the nation’s capital.