Skip to main content

Vietnam launches project to integrate the country's ETC systems

As part of a master plan for its highways, Vietnam is pushing ahead with a demonstration project aimed at integrating the country’s electronic toll collection (ETC) systems. Vietnam is making steady progress in introducing ETC systems into the country's expressway network, but many are calling for the country to integrate its three separate communication modes currently in service – active dedicated short range communications (DSRC), passive DSRC and radio frequency identification (RFID). The Director
September 14, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
As part of a master plan for its highways, Vietnam is pushing ahead with a demonstration project aimed at integrating the country’s electronic toll collection (ETC) systems.

Vietnam is making steady progress in introducing ETC systems into the country's expressway network, but many are calling for the country to integrate its three separate communication modes currently in service – active dedicated short range communications (DSRC), passive DSRC and radio frequency identification (RFID).

The Directorate for Roads of Vietnam (DRVN) and Vietnamese Ministry of Transport (MOT) have signed a memorandum of agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Sojitz Corporation and the Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade (VietinBank).

The focus of the demonstration project will be on developing a new ETC system which integrates the three existing formats. Data from the new system will be collected from the suburbs of Ho Chi Minh City in the country's south. Based on the project, MHI, Sojitz and VietinBank also aim, with support from DRVN/MOT, to create a second project involving an intelligent traffic system (ITS).

Some two million vehicles are currently registered in Vietnam and new registrations are increasing at a rate of 120,000 to 150,000 each year. In December 2008 the Vietnamese government, in anticipation of the country's shift to a motorised society in the future, formulated a master plan for the nation's expressways. The plan covers 22 routes spanning a total distance of 5,873 kilometres (3,649 miles) and its execution requires a total investment of US$48 billion.

Under the plan, ITS technology is to be introduced to the major expressways in order to enhance their safety and driving comfort in the coming era of motorisation. The plan calls for progressive introduction of traffic control, ETC and other sophisticated systems going forward.

Applying the knowhow they will accumulate from the newly agreed demonstration project, MHI, Sojitz and VietinBank look to make important contributions to the development of Vietnam's road transport networks in the years ahead.

Commenting on the project, a spokesman for DVRN said, “In order to meet the highest demand of traffic drivers and toll collection service users, deploying integrated solution for the three existing formats including DSRC active, DSRC passive and RFID plays an important role.”

Related Content

  • Vietnam plans intelligent transportation systems
    December 10, 2012
    The Vietnamese government is to draw up new regulations as part of its plan to implement intelligent transportation systems (ITS) in 2013. The project will be executed in three stages from 2012 until 2030. During the first phase, between 2012 and 2015, three traffic control centres will be built to control traffic in the north, central and south regions of the country. During this phase, traffic management equipment will be installed, including closed circuit television cameras, weather forecasting equipm
  • Tollers make way as NextNav muscles into 902-928MHz spectrum
    July 30, 2013
    Toll operators and Progeny trade claim and counter claim about the potential ramifications of operating in the 902-928MHz spectrum, as Jon Masters finds out. Two months after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) determined that Progeny can start commercial operation of its NextNav location finding service, the dust has begun to settle. The tolling industry has had a chance to reflect on how this may impact its operations, in the knowledge that NextNav will share the 902-928MHz frequency band with RFI
  • Mexico and the US slow to adopt ETC interoperability
    April 12, 2013
    Splinteroperability is a word devised by Travis P. Dunn and Victor J. Michelet C. to encapsulate the lack of progress towards ETC harmonisation in the US and Mexico. Five thousand miles of tolled roads and bridges. Widespread implementation of electronic toll collection (ETC) systems. One dominant interoperable ETC service provider covering just over half the nation’s toll facilities. Numerous other ETC service providers offering alternative visions of interoperability. Years of customer requests for better
  • Ministry of Transport denies GrabVietnam’s expansion plan
    June 29, 2018
    Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport has rejected a proposal from GrabVietnam to extend its ride-hailing service into the country’s southern and central highland provinces. The company is required to cancel its launch in the provinces of Ninh Thuan, Dong Thap and Gia Lai. Additionally, Grab is prohibited from working with taxi drivers without the approval of transport operators and transport departments. According to a report by The Saigon Times, the ministry says the application of technology to make c