Three Japanese firms have won the contract to install intelligent transport systems in Vietnam's new expressways, with the aim of helping reduce traffic problems in the country.
Toshiba Corporation, Hitachi Ltd and Itochu Corporation have signed a contract to supply the Vietnam Expressway Corporation with electronic toll collection, traffic control and equipment monitoring systems.
The systems, worth approximately 4 billion yen (1.3 billion baht), will be installed on the 55-kilometre Ho Chi Minh and Dau Giay section of Vietnam’s North-South Expressway within the first half of 2017.
Toshiba will provide intelligent transport systems equipment, Hitachi is responsible for construction, and Itochu for related business affairs.
According to a press statement, the new systems will help cut traffic jams and improve logistics efficiency, boosting the continuing economic development of southern Vietnam.
The North-South Expressway is currently under construction connecting Vietnam’s capital Hanoi with Ho Chi Minh City, via Da Nang in the heart of the country. It will run over approximately 1,811km.
To meet the country’s rapid economic growth, the Vietnamese government in 2008 drew up a master plan for the construction of 22 expressways with a total length of approximately 6,000km, including the North-South Expressway.