Skip to main content

Indra to implement smart technology for Ecuador tram system

Indra is to provide the engineering, supply and implementation of tram priority and signage systems, along with access control and ticketing for the new tram system in Cuenca, the third-largest city in Ecuador. The system is currently under construction and is expected to begin operating in June 2016. It will be used by around 120,000 passengers a day, or 39 million a year. The aim is to incorporate the transport mode into the Integrated Mobility System, reduce the current levels of traffic and green
December 10, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
509 Indra is to provide the engineering, supply and implementation of tram priority and signage systems, along with access control and ticketing for the new tram system in Cuenca, the third-largest city in Ecuador.

The system is currently under construction and is expected to begin operating in June 2016. It will be used by around 120,000 passengers a day, or 39 million a year.

The aim is to incorporate the transport mode into the Integrated Mobility System, reduce the current levels of traffic and greenhouse gas emissions and optimise mobility throughout the historic centre, which in 1999 was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO, promoting the use of the tram and discouraging private traffic.

The road and tram signposting systems to be implemented by Indra will enable management of mobility in both the areas the tram passes through and other areas that may be affected by it. Indra will upgrade the current technology in the urban traffic control centre in Cuenca and implement new software that will enable the integrated management, control and optimisation of traffic in the area.

In addition, thanks to a traffic-light priority system that will be integrated with the rest of the Cuenca tram subsystems, the signposting will give priority to the tram over private vehicles, ensuring it adheres to its and encouraging citizens to opt for public transport in line with the planning goals of the municipal government.

Indra will also install its latest-generation contactless ticketing system to enhance the service and information provided to passengers and streamline the control, financial management and tracking of resources.

Passengers can top up contactless cards in automatic ticketing machines to be installed at all the 28 stops along the route and validate them in the access control systems. Public assistance and customisation points will be set up in several cities to include the holders' details and photo on the card along with their user profile.

The solution will also include portable sales and inspection equipment, which will allow card top-ups and sales and the inspection of both contactless cards and one-way tickets intended for occasional passengers.

Related Content

  • January 23, 2012
    Reducing transport energy use with real time travel information
    The In-Time project is looking at the effect that multi-modal real-time traveller information services can have of reducing transport's energy consumption levels. By Martin Böhm, AustriaTech GmbH. Around the world, significant research and development effort is currently directed towards reducing energy consumption by addressing those areas where the biggest savings can be expected. European studies have shown that the transport sector has the potential to reduce its energy consumption by up to 26 per cent
  • July 26, 2013
    Qatar invests $70 billion to pave the way to world beating transportation
    Eng. Zeina Nazer looks at what Qatar’s recently-announced investment in transport infrastructure will mean on the ground. Qatar is experiencing a rapid economic and industrial growth. This growth is characterised by a rapid population increase and by the urgent need towards the development of both infrastructure projects and major transport projects. In order to handle this rate of development within Qatar, Public Works Authority (Ashghal) is developing a fully-integrated multimodal transportation system in
  • April 21, 2021
    Indra leads Spanish RDI Mobility 2030 project
    Project seeks to integrate autonomous vehicles into Mobility as a Service solutions
  • December 17, 2014
    Abu Dhabi seeks safe and efficient multi-modal ITS solutions
    Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport is planning to roll out its second phase ITS Strategy and Action Plan through to 2019 which will deploy a host of innovative multimodal ITS solutions. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is continuing to experience rapid growth in both its economy and population and none more so than its capital, Abu Dhabi. To cope with the current expansion, and in anticipation of future growth, the Abu Dhabi Surface Transport Master Plan has been devised by its Department of Transport and th