The Canadian city of Montréal is deploying traffic monitoring technology from MIT spinoff Derq at 100 intersections.

Derq’s AI-powered Insight forms part of a citywide safety and mobility analysis system, enabling the city’s transportation teams to monitor roadway safety proactively, identify risk patterns and improve traffic flow across its large multimodal network. The deployment is being delivered in partnership with Tacel, Derq’s Canadian distributor for intelligent transportation.

“At Montréal, the safety of all road users is an absolute priority,” said Alan DeSousa, borough mayor, responsible for mobility and infrastructure. “The deployment of artificial intelligence marks a strategic shift towards more proactive mobility management, enabling us to anticipate risks, respond more quickly and, ultimately, save lives, while positioning the city as a leader in innovation.”

The Insight platform (en.derq.com/insight-2026) provides transportation teams with real-time visibility into roadway activity and emerging safety risks, helping them identify patterns earlier and respond faster to improve safety outcomes.

“This project demonstrates how innovation, driven by the intelligent use of data, can improve daily life for Montréalers,” said city councillor Alexandre Teodoresco. “By taking full advantage of real-time data, we are strengthening our ability to analyse issues on the ground and better target interventions where they can have the greatest impact.”

Derq (www.derq.com) is an AI-powered intelligent transportation company helping agencies improve safety and optimise traffic flow for all road users. An MIT spinoff founded in 2016, Derq’s technology is deployed across the USA, Canada and the GCC region.

“Cities have traditionally relied on fragmented, historical reports and limited data to understand roadway safety and traffic performance,” said Karl Jeanbart, COO of Derq. “Montréal is taking a more proactive approach by using AI to produce granular traffic intelligence and provide real-time decision support across its transportation network. As founders from Montréal, we’re especially proud to support the city in advancing this work.”

Founded in 1979, Tacel, a longstanding partner of Montréal’s intelligent transportation systems, is supporting the project’s implementation and facilitating Derq’s deployment across the city.

“Transportation agencies are under growing pressure to make faster, more informed decisions across increasingly complex transportation networks,” said Yassine Benamghar, vice president at Tacel (www.tacel.ca). “Montréal’s deployment of Derq demonstrates how real-time safety intelligence can respond more quickly to emerging roadway risks.”