Development of Model Intelligent Transport Systems Deployments for the Asian Highway Network

Intelligent transport systems (ITS) is a set of transport infrastructure and operation systems that maximize safety, efficiency and convenience of the road system by using advanced information technologies while minimizing costly large-scale road construction. While there is currently no single internationally agreed definition for ITS, it is generally understood to be the combination of technologies, most of which involve information and communications technology (ICT) as a platform, that are embedded within conventional transport infrastructure. These systems are a combination of technologies based on the new capabilities offered by modern ICT systems.

As one of the initiatives towards sustainable transport connectivity in Asia and the Pacific, the ESCAP secretariat, in association with the Korea Expressway Corporation conducted a study on the development of model ITS deployments for the Asian Highway network during 2015-2017. Under the study, the secretariat collected information on deployment of intelligent transport systems in China, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation and Turkey. In January 2016, with a view to assessing ITS deployments in the Asia-Pacific region, the secretariat conducted a survey to gather information about the status and practices of ITS deployments in Asian Highway member countries. Responses from 21 member countries indicated that the deployment status of ITS services varied extensively across the region.