A Smart Freight Corridor on I-40 in Tennessee

Memphis/West Tennessee Smart Freight Corridor

Stretching from Memphis to Blue Oval City, this 31-mile segment of I-40 connects one of Tennessee’s most important freight corridors. In March 2026, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) selected Cavnue to lead a Smart Freight Corridor pilot along this route.

The multi-year pilot is expected to run through 2028 and will begin with planning and design under TDOT oversight, followed by temporary on-road testing and evaluation. The project will begin with an initial deployment of up to five contiguous miles, establishing a proof point for broader expansion across the corridor.

Cavnue’s Smart Road Platform will provide a continuous, corridor-wide view of traffic, vehicles, and roadway conditions in real time.

The platform will deploy high-resolution cameras and sensors at regular intervals along I-40, creating a lane-level view of vehicles, hazards, and traffic conditions from end to end. This visibility will be delivered directly to TDOT’s Transportation Management Center, supporting more informed operational decision-making.

By the numbers

Mile Initial Deployment

5

Miles of a future smart freight corridor

31

Vehicles per day at peak

180k

Technology

The I-40 corridor will be equipped with sensors, cameras, and digital infrastructure to provide continuous, lane-level coverage of traffic conditions, incidents, and roadway activity. These inputs will feed a real-time digital model of the roadway, powered by AI-driven insights to support operational decision-making.

Cavnue’s Smart Road Platform is designed to give TDOT a unified operational view of the corridor and support day-to-day traffic management.

Benefits

Through this pilot, TDOT and Cavnue are focused on improving safety, freight efficiency, and reliability on one of Tennessee’s most important freight corridors. The Smart Road Platform will support faster incident response, reduce congestion, and improve overall system efficiency along I-40.

As freight volumes continue to grow in West Tennessee, this work will provide TDOT with greater visibility into corridor conditions, helping inform future freight planning.

What people are saying about us

  • “Tennessee continues to lead the nation in building an innovative and efficient transportation network. This pilot strengthens one of our most important freight corridors and supports continued economic development in West Tennessee. By embracing new technology, we’re ensuring our infrastructure keeps pace with the needs of Tennesseans and the industries that drive our economy."

    Bill Lee, Governor of Tennessee

  • “This pilot represents a forward-looking investment in Tennessee's freight network and an important step toward preparing our infrastructure for the next generation of freight mobility.”

    Will Reid, P.E., Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Transportation

News and Updates

The Tennessee Department of Transportation Names Firm to Lead Smart Freight Corridor Pilot Between Memphis and Blue Oval City

Learn more