SPAIN: Castellón de la Plana Implements Smart Low Emission Zone with Kapsch TrafficCom to Improve Air Quality and Traffic Management

SPAIN: Castellón de la Plana Implements Smart Low Emission Zone with Kapsch TrafficCom to Improve Air Quality and Traffic Management

(IN BRIEF) Kapsch TrafficCom has completed a €1.52 million Low Emission Zone project in Castellón de la Plana, Spain, introducing advanced technologies to monitor and manage vehicle access and environmental conditions. The system includes license plate recognition cameras, air and noise sensors, upgraded traffic management tools, and public information systems. The project aims to improve air quality, enhance traffic efficiency, and support compliance with environmental regulations. Funded in part by EU recovery funds, the initiative establishes the city as a benchmark for sustainable and smart urban mobility solutions.

(PRESS RELEASE) MADRID, 10-Apr-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Kapsch TrafficCom has successfully completed the implementation of a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Castellón de la Plana, marking a key step in the city’s efforts to improve air quality and promote sustainable urban mobility. The project, valued at €1.52 million, began in December 2022 and introduces a comprehensive, technology-driven system to manage vehicle access and monitor environmental conditions.

The solution developed by Kapsch TrafficCom integrates multiple advanced components designed to identify and regulate vehicles entering and leaving the LEZ. At its core is a network of 45 optical character recognition cameras positioned at entry and exit points, capable of reading license plates and classifying vehicle types such as cars, buses, vans, and motorcycles. An additional six cameras have been installed in public car parks within the zone to ensure full coverage.

The system also includes 24 environmental sensors that measure both air pollution and noise levels, particularly in high-traffic and sensitive areas such as near schools. This data is integrated into the city’s broader mobility management platform, enhancing real-time monitoring and supporting more effective traffic and environmental strategies. The existing EcoTrafiX system has been upgraded to incorporate these new data streams and provide improved multimodal traffic control capabilities.

To keep residents informed, 22 fixed and variable message signs have been installed across the city, displaying access restrictions and environmental data such as air quality levels. In addition, a dedicated mobile application has been introduced, allowing users to manage access permissions and stay updated on LEZ regulations and conditions.

Juan Zamakona noted that the project required adapting to complex municipal regulations while integrating innovative technologies, emphasizing the importance of close collaboration with local authorities to deliver a solution tailored to the city’s sustainability goals.

The implementation of the LEZ is expected to deliver tangible benefits for both residents and city authorities. Citizens will benefit from improved air quality and a more efficient urban traffic environment, while authorities gain tools to comply with national and European emissions regulations and reduce long-term public health costs.

Supported by European ‘Next Generation’ funding under the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, the project positions Castellón de la Plana as a leading example of smart urban development and environmental sustainability in Spain and across the European Union.

Kapsch TrafficCom is a globally renowned provider of transportation solutions for sustainable mobility with successful projects in more than 50 countries. Innovative solutions in the areas of tolling and traffic management contribute to a healthy world without congestion.

With one-stop-shop-solutions, the company covers the entire value chain of customers, from components to design and implementation to the operation of systems.

Kapsch TrafficCom is an international provider of transport solutions for sustainable mobility with successful projects in more than 50 countries worldwide. Our innovative solutions in the areas of tolling and traffic management contribute to a healthy world without traffic congestion.

With our end-to-end solutions, we cover the entire value chain of our customers, from the components to the design and implementation to the operation of the systems.

Kapsch TrafficCom, headquartered in Vienna, has subsidiaries and branches in more than 25 countries and is listed on the main market segment of the Vienna Stock Exchange (symbol: KTCG). More than 3,000 employees of Kapsch TrafficCom generated revenues of EUR 530 million in the fiscal year 2024/25.

Media contact:

Sandra Bijelic
Head of Corporate Communications
Kapsch TrafficCom AG
Am Europlatz 2, 1120 Vienna, Austria
sandra.bijelic@kapsch.net

SOURCE: Kapsch TrafficCom