Intelligent transport system to ease traffic flow in Vietnam hub

A traffic signboard signals a detour that vehicles can take to avoid getting stuck in traffic jams.

A basic and cheaper version of the intelligent transport system (ITS) used in developed countries will help HCM City tackle its worsening traffic congestion, experts say.

The cheaper version has been developed by a group of researchers at the HCM City International University.

University president Ho Thanh Phong said thanks to sensors, cameras, and image processing technology, the recently-completed system can sense traffic and categorise it in accordance with the status, ranging from clear to heavy.

It then sends the information back to a control centre from which police can make plans to deal with the traffic jams, he said.

The centre, meanwhile, can warn vehicles that are heading for congested places and direct them to change their routes via outdoor LED signboards.

The system has been tested at four locations prone to frequent traffic jams and is now awaiting HCM City Department of Transport’s approval to be piloted at some intersections, according to Phong.

Do Van Dung, vice president of HCM City University of Technical Education, said the basic version of ITS commonly used in developed countries is highly suitable for the southern hub.

In the future it can be incorporated with the Global Positioning System to enhance its operations, Dung added.

Each system established at an intersection costs over 700 million dong (US$37,066), which is much cheaper than imported ones, Phong said.

In the meantime, HCM City Department of Transport has asked relevant agencies to cooperate with the Dat Viet Company to set up information booths and electronic maps at 37 bus stations citywide by this July.

This is the pilot phase of a 15-year-project to set up 115 booths and maps across the city to provide bus passengers plans for their routes, including estimated fees and stops, whenever they enter starting points and destination on touchable screens.

Dat Viet plans to invest $1.15 million in the project.

Tags: Vietnam Infrastructure, Vietnam traffic, Vietnam transportation