Asia-Pacific Road User Charging Alliance drives collaboration

ITS Taiwan, ITS Thailand, ITS India Forum and ITS New Zealand sign MoU
By Adam Hill March 25, 2025 Read time: 2 mins
Traffic in Bangkok (© Tampatra1 | Dreamstime.com)

An initiative which brings together four regional ITS players has been hailed as a "major step" towards advancing road user charging and ITS in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Asia-Pacific Road User Charging Alliance (Apruca) was launched by ITS Taiwan, ITS Thailand, ITS India Forum and ITS New Zealand at the 2025 Smart Mobility Summit in Taipei, Taiwan.

The organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which commits them to knowledge exchange and policy development. 

They will take turns hosting the Asia-Pacific Road User Charging gathering, providing a platform for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and transportation experts to share insights and jointly address mobility challenges in electronic toll collection, congestion pricing, road pricing, and emerging technologies, including AI-driven traffic management and data-driven pricing models.

"Joining this alliance demonstrates our commitment to regional cooperation," said Yi-Fang Shih, president of ITS Taiwan. "We believe this initiative will foster innovative ITS applications across Asia-Pacific and contribute valuable insights to the global community."

FETC International and its parent company, FETC, co-organised the Smart Mobility Summit and "played a pivotal role" in supporting the alliance’s formation.

Dr. YC Chang, chairman of the board of supervisors of ITS Taiwan, says: "By working together, we can develop innovative and sustainable road pricing mechanisms that enhance efficiency and fairness in transportation."

"RUC is a transformative policy tool that not only optimises traffic flow but also ensures sustainable funding for transport infrastructure," said Dr. Tongkarn Kaewchalermtong, president of ITS Thailand. "Through this alliance, we aim to advance RUC technologies and implementation strategies in alignment with global best practices."

Akhilesh Srivastava, president of ITS India Forum, comments that the new alliance will foster "global knowledge exchange, innovation in road user charging, and the pursuit of net zero goals".

Apruca will be "vital for contributing to effective road pricing solutions through regional collaboration, ensuring outcomes that support the economy, environment, and society for a sustainable future", says Armin Guttke, president of ITS New Zealand.

The alliance says it welcomes ITS associations, transport agencies, and toll operators to join in advancing road user charging solutions "that benefit governments, operators, and road users alike".

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