ITS-CUBE
Intelligent Transport Systems - Concept Urban Bus Equipment
Hamburg's pioneering project for next-generation smart traffic infrastructure, enabling seamless V2X communication between public transit and traffic signals for faster, more efficient urban mobility.
Project Duration
2023 - 2027
Location
Hamburg, Germany
Budget
€68 Million
Ampeln Planned
600+
The Challenge
Hamburg's existing bus priority system at traffic lights was based on legacy technology that needed modernization. With over 1,800 traffic lights and 2,000+ public transit buses, the city required a future-proof solution that could:
- Handle real-time communication between vehicles and infrastructure
- Prioritize emergency vehicles and delayed buses dynamically
- Reduce journey times and improve schedule reliability
- Support the broader mobility transition goals
The Solution
ITS-CUBE develops modern soft- and hardware solutions for the next generation of connected traffic systems. The project establishes direct, reliable real-time V2X (Vehicle-to-Infrastructure) communication that works bidirectionally.
Traffic lights become intelligent digital nodes that can automatically detect specific road users or receive data directly from vehicles - and adjust their green phases accordingly. A test track around the Hamburg Bunker at St. Pauli with 6 traffic lights has been in intensive use since early 2025.
EU Co-Financing: The project receives nearly €2 million in EU funding through the ELENA program (European Local ENergy Assistance).
Project Gallery
V2X Traffic Signal
Modern traffic lights equipped with V2X communication technology display a special "A" signal indicating active bus priority. The system detects approaching buses and adjusts green phases in real-time.
Intelligent Prioritization
The ITS-CUBE system goes beyond simple priority - it considers bus delay, passenger load, and overall traffic flow to make intelligent decisions about green phase allocation.
Key Technology Features
Direct vehicle-to-infrastructure communication enabling real-time data exchange between buses and traffic lights
Intelligent prioritization of buses and emergency vehicles at intersections based on delay and passenger load
Adaptive green phases that respond to current traffic conditions, reducing waiting times for all road users
Project Timeline
June 2023
Project Launch
ITS-CUBE officially starts with EU co-financing through the Horizon 2020 program
October 2023
Milestone Achieved
Hamburg and the metropolitan region set a milestone for the mobility transition in the North
November 2023
Smart Country Convention
ITS-CUBE presented at Smart Country Convention, generating significant interest in V2X technology
February 2024
ELENA Roadshow
European Investment Bank invited Hamburg to present ITS-CUBE at the ELENA Roadshow
May 2024
polisMobility 2024
Hamburg presented ITS-CUBE as Best Practice at the polisMobility conference
June 2025
UITP World Congress
LSBG presented ITS-CUBE at the Hamburg Stand during the world's largest public transport congress
October 2025
C-Roads EU Project
Hamburg becomes partner of the Germany-wide C-Roads project (CRG-3)
2030
Full Rollout Target
All 2,000 buses and 600+ traffic lights equipped with new V2X technology
Project Partners
LSBG (Landesbetrieb Straßen, Brücken und Gewässer)
HOCHBAHN AG
Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein (VHH)
Hamburg Verkehrsanlagen GmbH (HHVA)
Expected Outcomes by 2030
2,000+
Buses Equipped
600+
Smart Traffic Lights
€68M
Total Investment
Want to implement something similar?
Use UrbanStack to find adaptation guides, contact Hamburg's project team, and access detailed technical documentation for your own V2X implementation.