Cam Lam – Vinh Hao Expressway is the first component project on the North – South Eastern Expressway axis to possess a modern intelligent transportation system – ITS to improve operational efficiency.

As a pioneer in applying Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) in managing and operating domestic traffic infrastructure projects, Deo Ca Group constantly upgrades the effectiveness of ITS application through training human resources, investing in modern equipment, updating and mastering technology.

What is ITS?

ITS is a system serving the management and operation of traffic infrastructure works, designed to allow monitoring, detecting and handling traffic incidents quickly, optimizing operational efficiency, ensuring smooth, safe, efficient, convenient and environmentally friendly traffic.

Thanks to the data storage and analysis system, monitoring and interoperability of devices, traffic incidents can be identified early, detected and timely handling measures can be activated with consistent scenarios, shortening handling time and minimizing the risk of congestion and traffic insecurity.

ITS includes many components such as electrical systems, lighting, ventilation fans, fire protection systems, surveillance and incident detection cameras, electronic traffic signs and signal lights, loudspeaker systems, radios/walkie-talkies, and inter-line ETC toll collection systems with open inputs... ITS is a part of the highway project, aiming to enhance the connectivity between traffic participants, vehicles and infrastructure.

In particular, the camera system on the route is equipped with surveillance cameras and cameras integrated with vehicle detection systems (VDS). These types of cameras use the most advanced specialized AI image processing technology and are also supported by peripheral devices such as infrared, radar, etc.

PTZ cameras can rotate 360 ​​degrees, ensuring full-line observation without blind spots; VDS cameras are integrated with AI with functions such as vehicle classification, license plate recognition, detection and warning of incidents such as speeding, traffic congestion, stopped vehicles, wrong lane driving, going in the opposite direction, objects falling on the road, etc.

Images of vehicles will be collected and synthesized through cameras installed along the route and transmitted in real time to the smart operation center, while integrating artificial intelligence features to support the process of monitoring, tracking, operating and making decisions when traffic situations arise.

Inside the tunnel, ITS is linked to the electromechanical system (fire protection, jet fans, lighting, monitoring sensors...) which plays a special role in situations where serious incidents such as fire and explosion need to be handled.

ITS also provides live traffic information to road users, helping them grasp the traffic situation at the fastest. Electronic traffic signs provide information on traffic conditions, incidents, and other traffic conditions, helping drivers to adjust their journeys appropriately.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Huy - Deputy Director of Vietnam Expressway Administration affirmed that ITS application helps improve safety, management efficiency and operation of traffic works. “ITS operating system includes both hardware and software, in which the software connects devices together to handle incidents in a connected and synchronized manner. ITS allows faster incident handling thanks to the ability to monitor and analyze remotely through cameras and monitoring screens. Without an intelligent traffic system, it is necessary to monitor by patrolling and controlling. When an incident occurs, timely detection is limited,” Mr. Nguyen Viet Huy emphasized.

Reducing traffic congestion and improving the efficiency of the transport system also contributes to reducing environmental pollution. Vehicles do not need to stop at toll stations, helping to reduce emissions and save fuel.

In addition, ITS helps the operating management unit record information and recommendations for operating equipment management for maintenance and repair, and supports authorities in handling traffic safety violations through data collected and provided by the system.

The first expressway with ITS

Cam Lam – Vinh Hao Expressway is the first component project on the North – South Eastern Expressway axis to own a modern ITS. The consortium of investors led by Deo Ca Group invested in completing the ITS synchronously with the route and put it into synchronous operation as soon as the expressway began to be put into operation.

ITS at Cam Lam – Vinh Hao Expressway is integrated into both the road and tunnel sections, with ITS equipment clusters operating on renewable energy using solar battery and wind turbine technology, remotely monitored to promptly handle equipment failures via the internal transmission system.

Also because of the synchronous integration of ITS on the entire route, at Cam Lam - Vinh Hao expressway, the data of the non-stop automatic toll collection system - ETC at toll stations is synchronously connected to the Toll Monitoring Center, ensuring more complete and transparent toll collection.

According to the representative of the investor consortium, the implementation of ITS installation after the route has been put into operation poses the problem of traffic regulation, causing danger and high costs. Therefore, the investor has proactively invested in synchronous ITS and ETC systems with the project.

“ITS at Cam Lam – Vinh Hao Expressway overcomes limitations and upgrades features compared to previous generations of ITS, bringing outstanding efficiency in traffic management and operation. Advanced technologies help further improve the ability to manage and operate the traffic system,” the representative of the investor consortium added.

Deo Ca Group is an experienced investor, direct general contractor and operation manager. ITS system for nearly 10 years, since the Deo Ca Tunnel Operation Center was invested in construction to "anticipate" the operation of the Deo Ca and Co Ma tunnels.

With the initial investment in a synchronous ITS – ME (mechanical and electrical) system more than a decade ago, Deo Ca Group is currently storing and managing a synchronous data system for Deo Ca, Cu Mong, Hai Van tunnels, Trung Luong My – Thuan expressway and most recently Cam Lam – Vinh Hao expressway through collecting, storing and analyzing traffic data at ITS – ME data centers. Thus, Deo Ca is a unit with special capacity in ITS when it has deployed installation for all road tunnels equipped with ITS.

Previously, more than 100 employees of Deo Ca Group were trained, coached, and learned management, operation, and rescue experience from Finland and Japan before joining the management of these projects. With the Cam Lam - Vinh Hao Expressway, which was put into operation at the end of April 2024, this enterprise has consolidated a workforce with good professional qualifications and extensive experience in operating ITS in practice.

Mr. Duong Chau Sam - Deputy General Director in charge of technology of Deo Ca Group emphasized: "As a pioneer in ITS technology, Deo Ca has full strengths in human resources, construction experience and Operation Management, as well as practical environment in implementing ITS projects.

In addition to boldly investing in modern specialized equipment, focusing on technology transfer - techniques, optimizing solutions and updating advanced technology to deploy ITS installation and operation at projects invested by Deo Ca, this Group constantly learns and autonomously deploys technology packages in many large projects. The "real combat" environment at large-scale projects is a "training ground" for continuous training, improving the qualifications and experience of human resources. Generations of personnel with many years of experience in project management, operation and maintenance of equipment systems are directly participating in summarizing and passing on practical experience to the next generations.

Deo Ca Group has coordinated with the Vietnam Road Administration (Ministry of Transport) and training units to train the operation of road tunnels, highways, etc. not only for workers in the system but also for partners and the transport industry.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Huy said, the implementation ITS in transport infrastructure projects, most recently the Cam Lam - Vinh Hao expressway, is not only an important step in modernizing Vietnam's transport system.

“It is also a model for future projects. With outstanding advantages that help exploit projects effectively, ensure traffic safety, transparency and efficiency in toll collection, it sets a new standard for ITS implementation nationwide,” Mr. Huy commented.

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(Source: BÁO ĐẦU TƯ)