The smart transportation for environmental protection in Vietnam

Smart transportation or also known as Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) as a system that information and communication technology is applied in road transport (infrastructure, vehicles and users, traffic management, and mobility management.

Smart transportation is the means of transport that limits CO2 emissions and other harmful emissions into the environment. It can use human power, renewable energy, electricity, compressed natural gas (CNG), etc. The use of bicycles, electric motorcycles, electric cars, CNG pneumatic vehicles, vehicles using solar energy or wind energy is also counted as participating in the green traffic.

Smart transportation improves the daily lives of citizens and promotes sustainability including information systems and smart city technology applications. Smart Transportation usually consists of the following elements: connected cars, mobility as a Service (MaaS systems), and Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMs). Intelligent transport systems vary with many types, such as basic management systems like car navigation, automatic number plate recognition, etc.

ITS in Vietnam

Intelligent Transport System or ITS for short is a combination of advanced technology and transport infrastructure to manage the transportation system better, ensuring road safety, reducing travel time, and promoting environmental protection. The term “smart” / “intelligent” here is affiliated with sensory, memory, and process of information.

ITS opens a new world of transportation networks for vehicle users and paves the way for smart infrastructure in the future. In general, the development of ITS and smart transportation focuses on providing high technology solutions and improving performance, with the highest goal being fully automatic and non-human related.

The main applications on urban transportation consist of Traffic Management Systems (TMS), Electronic Toll Collection (ETC), and the surveillance of vehicle overload. For the upcoming future, the Vietnamese Government has planned to integrate ITS into the expressway system and urban transportation.

Vietnam’s first attempt at implementing ITS into our transport system dates back to 2015 when the Ho Chi Minh – Trung Luong expressway connecting the Mekong Delta province of Long An became the first in Vietnam to implement ITS into the system. It includes an operation center and traffic monitoring devices installed along the expressway.

ITS has mainly two main development stages: superstructure development and infrastructure construction, and Vietnam is currently in the first stage. The model is divided into five layers, the highest being the National ITS Center and the lowest being toll lanes; all of which is connected with each other by optical cables.

Achievement

Traffic management of Voice of Vietnam is currently implemented in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh through Closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) and also through VOV reporters, drivers on the roads, and collaborators. There are approximately 66 CCTV in major intersections of Hanoi, monitored images then transmitted to VOV center wirelessly.

The traffic police also installed 20 CCTV at major intersections within Ring Road 3 (Hanoi), the monitored footage is then transmitted to the police center through an optical fiber cable.

Technology investment in the traffic department has increased significantly for the last couple of years, ensuring traffic safety. On the Hanoi-Hai Phong expressway, there are in total 58 surveillance cameras, 12 cameras counting vehicles, 11 cameras monitoring bridges and each transmits footage back on 32 big screens in the Traffic Monitor Centre. The hotline to the center is always available to update on the current traffic situation, or if there are any accidents that need help. The employees at the center both monitor the screens and answer the phone calls, responding to drivers and collaborators. At the Cau Gie – Ninh Binh expressway monitor center, there are 3 surveillance camera systems observing traffic and Variable-message sign (VMS) systems to inform drivers about traffic. According to Mai Duc Thanh – the Executive Director/ Chairman of the center, when traffic congestion, accidents are detected that may obstruct the traffic flow, technicians can firstly utilize the VMS system to inform drivers, secondly inform the route operation management unit along with higher authorities to handle the incidents or congestion to minimize its impacts on drivers and the traffic flow.

Public transportation systems have improved much with multiple bus and truck companies installing the GPS monitoring system on their vehicles. Not only the operation center but also commuters can see where their bus is and actively catch the bus whenever they want to on their bus apps. Vietnam’s Electronic Toll Collection system (ETC system) has also implemented the “in fared” and DSRC system, equipped at multiple tollgates.

Over the course of 10 years, the transport sector of Vietnam has finally finished its BRT system in Hanoi and on its way to complete MRT systems in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

Hanoi’s BRT project is the first-ever BRT line in Vietnam, consisting of so far only one route. The benefits that BRT has brought. In 2017-2018, the Hanoi Transport Department and Hanoi Transport Corporation implemented electronic transportation cards or “ecards” on BRT Route No.1, providing commuters a new experience with ITS. However, this experience is only for a short time so the department can do research and evaluate the outcomes after a period of time using e-cards.

Nguyen Thi Hoai Linh

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References

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