Connect with us

Technology

World Cup Fans Could Change How Cities Move and Shop Before Kickoff, Arity Data Shows

Published

on

New analysis finds match-day traffic could build hours earlier than expected, with distinct patterns by venue, city design, and fan behavior

CHICAGO, June 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Arity, a mobility data and analytics company, today released new data analysis from its Roadway Insights product showing that 2026 FIFA World Cup traffic in U.S. host cities is likely to begin building hours before kickoff with impacts shaped as much by city design and fan behavior as the event itself.

“Most traffic analysis focuses on what happens during an event,” said Joel Pepera, Analytics Director at Arity. “The real story starts hours earlier, and cities that plan for kickoff alone risk missing when congestion actually begins.”

Traffic pressure starts earlier and varies by event
At MetLife Stadium, host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, traffic on surrounding roads has historically ramped up four to six hours before kickoff. Marquee events and international matches draw fans from wider areas and create longer arrival windows; other events compress closer to start time.

And the impact won’t be confined to the stadium. Watch parties, entertainment districts, hotels, restaurants, and transit hubs will drive additional demand – putting commuters, rideshare drivers, delivery vehicles, and event workers on the same roads.

During comparable major events at MetLife, Arity observed:

Trip volume increased by more than 50% during peak arrival windowsAverage speeds on nearby bottleneck roads dropped from roughly 44 mph to 20 mphTraffic conditions diverged sharply from comparable non-event days

Venue design determines how widely traffic spreads
World Cup host markets aren’t starting from the same place. Transit-accessible venues can distribute arrivals across time and mode, while car-dependent venues tend to see earlier, more concentrated roadway pressure near the stadium.

“Where and how people can access a venue matters just as much as how many people attend,” Pepera said. “Cities with limited transit access should expect earlier congestion onset and greater need for pre-event traffic controls.”

Local driving patterns raise the stakes, especially for safety
World Cup traffic won’t just meet different road conditions in each host market; it will collide with them. Some roads already carry different safety characteristics, and if those behaviors persist under the added pressure of event congestion, additional accidents are likely to occur, furthering compounding delays. That makes this a safety story, not just an infrastructure one.

Arity’s analysis shows meaningful variation in the behaviors most likely to compound under high-demand conditions which may increase the risk of accidents and congestion:

Massachusetts: Distracted driving activity is 18% above the host-market average, which is the highest of any World Cup stateTexas: High-speed driving is nearly 60% above the host-market average, outpacing every other host state by a wide marginCalifornia: Sudden braking frequency is 25% above the host-market average, more than any other host stateMissouri: Driving behavior falls below the host-market average across all key driving events, making it the most moderate profile

When surge event traffic is layered on top of markets that already show elevated distraction, speed, or hard braking, even a minor fender-bender during a peak arrival window can cascade – turning a slow commute into a gridlocked corridor and increasing the risk of secondary crashes.

“When high demand is combined with real-world driving behaviors, small disruptions can have an outsized impact – not just on congestion, but on the safety of everyone on the road,” Pepera said.

What’s at risk if stakeholders don’t plan ahead

Transportation agencies should consider activating traffic management strategies 2-4 hours earlier than planned to stay ahead of congestion before it becomes systemwide gridlock.Cities and event planners should communicate arrival windows and routing guidance days before the event and be clear about expected impacts to travel times to prevent overwhelming roads that were never designed to absorb this volume all at once.Businesses and delivery networks that operate on normal schedules could face missed deliveries, lost revenue, and staffing gaps during the exact hours demand is highest. Overstocking crucial items in advance can help prevent shortages.Residents and commuters who assume traffic only gets bad at game time may find their usual routes unusable hours before kickoff, with limited alternatives. Consider working virtually on match days when possible.

Why Arity sees what others don’t
Unlike traffic maps that show where congestion is happening, Arity’s data provides context by analyzing how people actually drive not just where they go. Built on nearly 3 trillion miles of driving behavior data and 1.7 billion miles analyzed daily, Arity’s Roadway Insights product captures patterns like distraction, speed, and braking that shape how quickly conditions deteriorate – giving cities and businesses a behavioral layer most traffic tools miss.

This analysis is the first in a series exploring how mega-events reshape urban mobility with future installments examining economic ripple effects across host cities, including impacts on local businesses, delivery networks, and citywide movement patterns.

To learn more about Arity, visit arity.com.

Methodology
Arity’s 2026 FIFA World Cup analysis is powered by its Roadway Insights solution, which uses anonymized and aggregated driving behavior and traffic data from past major events to model how similar conditions may impact host markets.

The analysis:

Uses MetLife Stadium as a reference point due to its comparable event history and role as the World Cup Final venueCompares traffic patterns from major event days against similar non-event periodsEvaluates market-level driving behavior using recent historical data across host statesAssesses transit accessibility based on proximity, connectivity and event-day transportation options

All findings are presented in relative terms to highlight directional trends across markets.

About Arity
Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Chicago, Arity is a mobility data and analytics company and a subsidiary of The Allstate Corporation. Arity transforms trillions of miles of driving behavior data into intelligence that helps insurers, brands, and public-sector partners make smarter decisions across pricing, risk, marketing, and safety. Learn more at www.arity.com.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/world-cup-fans-could-change-how-cities-move-and-shop-before-kickoff-arity-data-shows-302795708.html

SOURCE Arity

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Enghouse Announces Finance Leadership Change

Published

on

By

MARKHAM, ON, Aug. 26, 2026 /CNW/ — Enghouse Systems Limited (TSX: ENGH) today announced that Rob Medved, Chief Financial Officer, will be leaving the Company following the release of its third quarter financial results to pursue another professional opportunity.

Mr. Medved has been a valued member of the Enghouse leadership team. During his tenure of approximately 9 years, he has played a key role in supporting the Company’s financial discipline and strengthening Enghouse’s financial organization. The Board of Directors and Enghouse management team thank him for his dedication, professionalism and contributions to the Company. We appreciate the leadership and financial expertise he has brought to Enghouse and wish him every success in the next chapter of his career.

In connection with this transition, the Company is pleased to announce that Vinh Lien will be promoted to Vice President, Finance, effective upon Mr. Medved’s departure. Mrs. Lien has been with Enghouse for over ten years and has held several progressively senior finance and accounting roles during her tenure with the Company. In her current role as Corporate Controller, she has been responsible for overseeing global financial and accounting operations.

Mrs. Lien has been an integral member of the Enghouse Global Finance and accounting team with a deep understanding of Enghouse’s financial operations. She has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, sound judgment, and a thorough understanding of the Enghouse business. Her experience and commitment to both financial and operational excellence make her well qualified to assume this role.

The Company expects a seamless transition of responsibilities and does not anticipate any disruption to its operations, financial reporting, or strategic initiatives.

About Enghouse Systems Limited
Enghouse Systems Limited is a Canadian publicly traded company (TSX: ENGH) that provides enterprise software solutions focused on contact centers, video communications, virtual healthcare, telecommunications networks, public safety, and transportation markets. Enghouse employs an acquisition-oriented strategy and operates globally through a network of international subsidiaries.

SOURCE Enghouse Systems Limited

Continue Reading

Technology

INTOUCH INSIGHT ANNOUNCES Q2 2026 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Published

on

By

OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 26, 2026 /CNW/ — Intouch Insight Ltd. (TSXV: INX) (OTCQX: INXSF) (“Intouch” or the “Company”), a provider of customer experience measurement solutions, today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026.

Financial Highlights

Highlights from the three months ended June 30, 2026, compared to the same period in 2025:

Revenue is 8% higher than the prior year. This increase was due to organic growth in SaaS, merchandising and recurring services revenue.Gross margin as a percentage of revenue was 46.7%, compared to 50.4% in the comparative period. This decrease is due to the mix of product sales, coupled with growth of some of our most competitively priced programs.Earnings from operations were $54,361 compared to a loss of $1,021,120 for Q2 2025. The loss in the prior year is due to the impairment of goodwill and intangibles from the loss of a client obtained through acquisition.SaaS revenue increased 18% to $474,999, recurring services revenue increased 6% to $5,879,676, and event marketing automation revenue increased 8% to $572,560.Merchandising revenue was $82,824, compared to nil in the prior year period.Net loss was $43,136, or $0.00 per share basic and diluted, compared to a net loss of $1,112,023, or $0.04 per share basic and diluted, in Q2 2025.Adjusted EBITDA, a non-IFRS measure, was $227,559 compared to $370,812 in Q2 2025; a reconciliation to the most directly comparable IFRS measure is contained in the Company’s MD&A for the period, which is available on SEDAR+ and is incorporated by reference.

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure, which is defined as net earnings (loss) before income taxes, adjusted to exclude finance costs, depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, share-based compensation, investment tax credits, and the change in the fair value of contingent consideration.

Highlights from the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared to the same period in 2025:

Revenue is 7% higher than the prior year. This increase was due to growth in SaaS, merchandising and recurring services revenue.Gross margin as a percentage of revenue was 48.1%, compared to 50.4% in the comparative period. This decrease is due to the product mix.Earnings from operations were $237,896 compared to a loss of $649,769 for 2025. The loss in the prior year is due to the impairment of goodwill and intangibles.Merchandising revenue was $120,291, compared to nil in the prior year period.Net income was $64,169, or $0.00 per share basic and diluted, compared to a net loss of $899,421, or $0.04 per share basic and diluted, in the first half of 2025.

Recent Operational Highlights

Presented the Company’s annual convenience industry study during the main stage general session at the Outlook Leadership Conference, hosted by Informa, and announced the top-performing convenience operator award in partnership with CSP Daily News. This year’s study encompassed close to 3,000 site visits across 14 leading convenience brands.Advanced the Company’s entry into the grocery vertical, including proprietary grocery research produced in partnership with Informa Connect and NexChapter, which the Company presented during the general session at the GroceryNEXT conference in Chicago on August 24-26, 2026.Published two proprietary thought leadership studies, the 2026 Emerging Experiences Study on mobile order ahead and the 2026 C-store Trends Report, both of which heighten the Company’s industry profile.Advanced through the qualification stages of a previously disclosed seven-figure SaaS RFP within the Company’s core QSR vertical and is one of the remaining finalists.Secured a second merchandising customer and added contracted merchandising work that is expected to support a significant sequential increase in merchandising revenue in the third quarter of 2026.

Management Commentary

Cameron Watt, President & Chief Executive Officer of Intouch Insight, commented:

“The second quarter delivered exactly what we said it would. Revenue grew 8% to $7,015,784, our strongest quarterly growth rate in seven quarters, with growth across each of our major product lines, and we did it while continuing to fund the investments that we committed to at the start of the year. We told the market we would invest into growth without diluting shareholders, and we have not issued a single share to do it. We intend to fund these investments from cash generated by operations and our existing credit facilities, and we do not anticipate that an equity financing will be required.”

Watt added:

“Our goal to double the business by the end of 2028 remains our focus and our 2026 expectations are unchanged: double-digit organic revenue growth by year end, more than $1 million of merchandising revenue, and continued investment in our strategy, which may result in an operating loss. Merchandising has been slower off the line than we wanted, but the shape of the year is intact. Based on contracts signed to date, we expect third quarter merchandising revenue on its own to exceed the combined revenue of the first half.  We are continuing to pursue our stated strategy and remain optimistic in achieving our goals.”

Q2 Earnings Conference Call Information

To participate in this event, register and log-in approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the beginning of the call.

Date: August 27, 2026 
Time: 10:30 a.m. eastern time

Register for the live webcast and access on-demand recording: click here. https://events.zoom.us/ev/ApEXp4MTIT3r7mdIyMnepiOj0JWWQZz-8QK_9Gn0AtLGAC-R-pYn~Anj41TOs5ON_y0VBbXslnvdVEyaq_Dsmqwga9gdn5FSs1jbXHdNT1B07Hw  

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Q2 2026

Q2 2025

Revenue

$   7,015,784

$   6,503,539

Cost of services

3,740,310

3,225,447

Gross margin

3,275,474

3,278,092

Total operating expenses

3,221,113

4,299,212

Income from operating activities

54,361

(1,021,120)

Non-operating (expenses) income 

(97,284)

(82,423)

Income tax recovery (expense)

(213)

(8,480)

Net income (loss)

$       (43,136)

$  (1,112,023)

About Intouch Insight

Intouch Insight offers a complete portfolio of customer experience management (CEM) products and services that help global brands delight their customers, strengthen brand reputation and improve financial performance. Intouch helps clients collect and centralize data from multiple customer touch points, gives them actionable, real-time insights, and provides them with the tools to continuously improve customer experience. Founded in 1992, Intouch is trusted by over 300 of North America’s most-loved brands for their customer experience management, customer survey, mystery shopping, mobile forms, operational and compliance audits, geolocation data capture and event marketing automation solutions. For more information, visit intouchinsight.com.

Certain statements included in this news release including those related to the Company’s quarterly results, future products, opportunities and cost initiatives, strategies, and other statements that are predictive in nature that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “estimates”, or similar expressions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws.  Forward looking statements that are made as of the date hereof, which by their nature are necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events, and are based on information currently available to the Company and on hypotheses which it considers to be reasonable; however, management cautions the reader that hypotheses relative to future events which are beyond the control of management could prove to be false, given that they are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Please refer to the risks set forth in the Company’s most recent annual MD&A and the Company’s continuous disclosure documents that can be found on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not intend, and disclaims any obligation, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Intouch Insight Ltd.

Continue Reading

Technology

Voltage Energy Will Seek New Trial and Review of Verdict in Shoals Patent Dispute

Published

on

By

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Aug. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Voltage Energy Group (“Voltage Energy”), a leading solar and clean energy solutions provider founded in North Carolina, today confirmed that it will seek a new trial following the jury’s verdict in Voltage’s ongoing patent dispute with Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. (“Shoals”) in the Middle District of North Carolina.

Voltage Energy strongly disagrees with the jury’s verdict and believes the judgment is not supported by legally sufficient evidence or the law. The Company will pursue all available post-trial remedies.

“We are confident in our record for appeal and the Court’s prior findings that Shoals violated an agreement prohibiting its counsel’s involvement in obtaining these patents,” said Li Wang, CEO of Voltage Energy. “Voltage independently developed LYNX in 2021 through its own engineering efforts, three years before the patents asserted by Shoals were issued. Our focus remains on proudly powering the renewable energy industry.”

LYNX PLUS, the Company’s latest trunk bus solution featuring a 2kV architecture, 0.5–0.8% higher yield, 10–15% material savings, and 34% voltage-drop reduction, remains in full production and continues to ship to customers as scheduled. Building on this foundation, Voltage Energy will proudly unveil new products and technologies at RE+ 2026, taking place November 17–19 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Customers and partners are invited to explore its latest solutions at Booths N936 and N736. The upcoming opening of Power Ranch in Roxboro, North Carolina, will further mark the Company’s next milestone in expansion and innovation roadmap.

About Voltage Energy Group

Founded in 2016, Voltage Energy Group (“Voltage Energy”) is a leading global provider of mission-critical power architecture solutions for utility-scale solar, BESS, and data center segments. Headquartered in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Voltage Energy operates globally with offices in Frankfurt, Germany; Sydney, Australia; and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Rooted in utility-scale solar EBOS, Voltage Energy delivers safe, reliable, and scalable infrastructure solutions that power our partners to move forward with confidence. We strengthen our core business today while building the capabilities required to meet tomorrow’s mission-critical energy and infrastructure needs, from BESS and data centers to microgrids and beyond.

Learn more about us at www.voltageenergy.com.

 

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/voltage-energy-will-seek-new-trial-and-review-of-verdict-in-shoals-patent-dispute-302861020.html

SOURCE Voltage Energy Group

Continue Reading

Trending