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  • About
    • Leadership
    • In Action
    • Careers
      • Opportunities
      • Why Work Here
      • Our Values
      • Our Mission, Our Culture
      • Internships
    • News
      • Press
      • Events
    • Evolving Econolite
    • Contact Us
  • Solutions
    • Cabinets
      • ATCC
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      • Safetran
      • BBS & Additional Components
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      • EOS
      • Cobalt® Series
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      • ATC Controller Modules
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      • Pedestrian Signals
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Evolving Econolite

History Header New v4

Econolite continues to lead in the ITS industry by offering the latest technology and solutions.

Founded in 1933

Employees are uniquely empowered to contribute towards a safer future, by creating real solutions that will help improve and save the lives of the driving public.

1933

Starting with a stop

There were less than a million cars in Los Angeles, but congestion and traffic control had already become problematic. Arthur Loomis and Charles Chase, owners of a small toy and specialty lighting company, met with Leo Jennings, a City Electrician for Beverly Hills. Jennings asked the partners if they could build a stop sign with a built-in flashing red light, which would turn the light on and off depending on the time of day. The partners agreed and Jennings joined the venture as it created its first traffic product. The “Econolite” was born, and the name sticks.

1935

Automobiles Take over the Roads

Automobile production had climbed to more than 3 million units, and Econolite was named the installation contractor for General Electric’s (GE) Traffic Signal Division.

1937-1939

Sell, Sell, Sell

Econolite became the permanent distributor for GE’s complete traffic signal product line. Econolite also began selling Automatic Signal Corporation products to the City and County of Los Angeles, a partnership which lasts for nearly 30 years.

1946

Lighting the Future

Econolite began creating and manufacturing animated motion lamps and framed pictures. The lamps/pictures consisted of an interior and exterior shade, within which sat a single bulb. When turned on, the heat from the light bulb caused the inner shade to spin slowly, causing optical changes in the exterior picture. For the next 25 years, these motion lamps became a popular home decoration.

1948

Manufacturing Begins

Econolite started supplementing GE and Automatic Signal Company products with their own manufactured goods including signal framework, pedestrian push buttons, and tMoving on Uperminal compartments.

1950

Moving on Up

Sales efforts had become so successful that Automatic Signal expanded Econolite’s distributorship to include California, Arizona, and Nevada, followed by the territories of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho in 1950. This rapid expansion required a move to a new 5-acre, 96,000 square-foot facility on Bellanca Ave. in Los Angeles.

1957

Leading the Industry

Econolite purchased the entire traffic signal product line from GE, including the famous Type “F” mechanical fixed-time controller. By this time, Econolite had been recognized as a leader in the traffic industry for their full line of traffic signal hardware and other necessary installation accessories.

1961

The Globe

Econolite is acquired by Tamar Electronics Industries, Inc., which is owned by Electro Science Investors. Investors include Jim Ling and Tracy Post. Tamar’s company symbol is a segmented globe framed by an upper and lower bar. From this point forward, the previous rounded Econolite logo is phased out in favor of a simple, futuristic font headed by the Tamar globe.

1964

How the West was Won

KAR-TROL, a distributor for both Econolite and Automatic Signal, is purchased by Econolite, thus cementing Econolite’s presence in 17 western states.

1966

First Digital Controllers

Rapid expansion into electronic traffic control begins with the introduction of the first solid-state, digital, fixed-time controller, and Econolite prepares to move into the manufacturing of more advanced, digital, actuated controllers.

1968

First Digital Actuated Controllers

Tamar Electronic Industries is first acquired by LTV Ling Altec, and becomes an Altec “Quality Company.” Econolite remains a division of Tamar Electronics. Econolite develops the first digital actuated controllers with the introduction of the D-2000 and the D-4000.

1971

Hello, Orange County!

With growing sales and increasing number of employees, Econolite moved to its present address in Anaheim, Calif. in 1971.

1973

First Microprocessor-based Controller

Econolite celebrates 40 years in the traffic industry by pioneering the SEC-8000, the first microprocessor-based traffic controller.

1975

First NEMA-based TS1 Controller

Strongly promoting the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) approach, the first NEMA-based TS1 traffic controller, the SPC-8000, is released.

1978

New Ownership

Econolite is sold as a private company to Mike Doyle and Steve Onderdonk, and renamed Econolite Control Products, Inc. The new owners re-organize and streamline the company, returning it to profitability within an astounding 3-month period.

1979

Launch of KMC Controllers

Econolite launches the KMC line of controllers as successors to the SEC, SPC and EMC lines.

1982

First Closed-Loop Arterial System

This year marks the beginning of a period of important breakthroughs for traffic systems control with Econolite’s introduction of the first distributed closed-loop arterial system. The closed-loop system employs on-street arterial masters to control groups of intersections through telemetry interconnect, as well as using telephone dial-up techniques to communicate directly with a personal computer.

1985

A Warm Welcome to Canada

Intersection Monitor is introduced as a follow-up to Econolite’s Master Monitor and Central Monitor systems. This device allows the closed-loop system to virtually monitor any controller, regardless of manufacturer or type. Econolite Canada is incorporated in Scarborough, Ontario, to serve a solid base of existing Econolite customers previously serviced by Canada General Electric. Offices open in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec, as well as a manufacturing facility to provide product and services to Canadian customers.

1991-1992

Autoscope Launch

Econolite teams with Image Sensing Systems and the University of Minnesota to create Autoscope, the first in a revolutionary line of multi-sensor video vehicle detection systems, referred to as “machine vision.”

1996

Aries is Released

Aries is released, setting the new standard for Windows-based traffic management systems.

1997

Map the Way with Icons

Econolite, in strategic partnership with Gardner Transportation Systems, introduces a large-scale central control system called icons. This new system, employing open architecture and the latest in system communications and graphics, meets new federal guidelines as an Advanced Transportation Management System (ATMS). Econolite also launches the ASC/2S series of controllers, the next generation of the ASC/2 and ASC-8000 controller line.

1999

ISO Accreditation

Econolite is among the first in the industry to receive its ISO 9002 accreditation from AOQC Moody International, Inc.

2000

New Millennium, New Detection

Econolite looks into the new millennium with Autoscope Solo Pro, the latest advancement in video detection. Econolite also celebrates its ISO 9001 accreditation, which is the highest level of certification required by the International Organization for Standardization.

2002

Team Econolite is Formed

Team Econolite, a traffic engineering and maintenance company, is formed. Through a partnership with TrafficWerks, Econolite introduces DCMS, a product that provides real-time traffic data retrieval and management. Econolite also acquires AECOM Systems Integration Group, which adds both PYRAMIDS and OASIS to the Systems product line.

2003

Happy 70th Anniversary!

Econolite’s 70th birthday is celebrated with an enhanced slate of Autoscope products, including the Autoscope 2020, Autoscope RackVision, and the new Autoscope Wizard automatic camera setup feature. Econolite also receives its 9001:2000 accreditation from AOQC Moody International, Inc. as an update to the previous standards.

2005

Econolite Around the World

With a newly expanded presence in South America, Econolite International is formed and proud to announce representation and distribution in over 30 countries worldwide.

2006

The Econolite Group, Inc. Family

Econolite Group, Inc. is formed as the operating company that includes Econolite, California Chassis, Team Econolite, Arroyo Holdings de Mexico, and both Econolite International and Econolite Canada. In July, Safetran Traffic Systems, Inc. joins the Econolite Group, Inc. family of companies.

2009

Aegis ITS is Formed

Aegis ITS® was formed, initially as a services solution group. Team Econolite was integrated into Aegis ITS® a few years later, widening this brand’s offerings to include maintenance, engineering, installation and integration.

2013

Celebrating 80 Years

Econolite celebrates its 80th anniversary with the introduction of the Cobalt ATC traffic controller, which uses an industry-leading touchscreen and GUI to offer unprecedented ease-of-use, along with an all-new mobile app.

2016

Sensors for Every Scenario

Econolite expands its sensor offerings to include new in-ground and radar-based solutions, along with best-in-class video detection technology.

2017

Introducing EOS

Econolite introduces the revolutionary new ATC controller software solution, EOS.

2020

Saving Lives Through Improved Mobility

Econolite’s Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) solutions ease traffic congestion, provide safer mobility and improve quality of life. As we continue to move forward in these unprecedented times, Econolite remains committed to the advancement of connected and autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and cybersecurity. More history to be made…

Legacy Products

Controllers | Sensors | Systems | Miscellaneous

Controllers

Legacy Products 170

170E (Retired 2016)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products asc8000

ASC/8000 (Retired Circa 1990's)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products asc2m

ASC/2M (Retired 2017)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products asc2s

ASC/2S (Retired 2008)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products Controller ASC/3-2070 3

ASC/3-2070 (Retired Circa 2019)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products cbd

CBD 6000/8000 (Retired 2005)

Legacy Datasheet PDF (6000)>
Legacy Datasheet PDF (8000)>

Legacy Products D series

D Series (Retired Circa 1970's)

Legacy Datasheet PDF (2000)>
Legacy Datasheet PDF (4000)>
Legacy Datasheet PDF (8000)>

Legacy Products kmc8000

KMC Series (Retired Circa 1980's)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products oasis

Oasis (Retired Circa 2013)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products type F

Type F (Retired Circa 1970's)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Sensors

AccuScan 600C 1000C

AccuScan 600C / 1000C (Retired 2021)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

AccuScan 400 500

AccuScan 400 / 500 (Retired 2021)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

AccuScan Radar Interface Panel

Interface Panel (Retired 2021)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

AccuScan TMIB

AccuScan TMIB (Retired 2021)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

AccuScan TMIB2

AccuScan TMIB2 (Retired 2021)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products ais

Autoscope AIS Color (Retired 2018)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products aisiv

Autoscope AIS-IV (Retired 2018)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products duo

Autoscope Duo (Retired 2018)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products encore

Autoscope Encore (Retired 2018)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products tap

Autoscope Tap (Retired 2018)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products tip

Autoscope Tip (Retired 2018)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products solo terra

Autoscope Solo Terra (Retired 2014)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Systems

Legacy Products aries

Aries (Retired 2016)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products dcms

DCMS (Retired Circa 2007)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products dcms2

DCMS2 (Retired Circa 2012)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products DCMS-3

Centracs DCMS (Retired 2019)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products icons

Icons (Retired 2012)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products pyramids

Pyramids (Retired 2012)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products translink

TransLink32 (Retired Circa 2007)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Miscellaneous

Legacy Products fire call box

Radio Call Box System (Retired Circa 1970's )

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Legacy Products lamp

Novelty Motion Lamps

(Retired Circa 1967)

Legacy Products framed silkscreen

Silkscreen Art Prints

(Retired Circa 1967)

Legacy Products 56K Modem

56K Modem (Retired 2019)

Legacy Datasheet PDF>

Milestone 2021 option b 72dpi

Econolite CA Logo
110 Travail Road
Markham, Ontario L3S3J1
(905) 294 - 9920

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