"Conquering Overseas Territories with Domestic Transportation Technologies like Hi-Pass and Transportation Cards"

Suwon ITS Asia-Pacific General Assembly Organizing Committee Launched
Supporting ITS Industry Including Hi-Pass and Transportation Cards

The government will support the export and industrial development of domestic transportation technologies such as Hi-Pass and transportation cards. It plans to widely promote these technologies in Asia-Pacific countries, which are key export markets.

View of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport building at the Government Complex Sejong.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Suwon City announced on the 20th the launch of the organizing committee for the "20th Suwon ITS Asia-Pacific Congress." At this congress, Asia-Pacific countries will exchange advanced transportation technologies (ITS), understand market trends, and strengthen cooperation between countries and companies. The congress will be held in Suwon in May next year.

ITS is a transportation system that efficiently manages traffic information and enhances efficiency and safety through scientific and automated operations. The ITS Asia-Pacific Congress is an event to promote ITS technologies in the Asia-Pacific region. It first started in 1996 in Tokyo, Japan. In years when the ITS World Congress is held in the Asia-Pacific region, the Asia-Pacific Congress is not held. Korea hosted the 5th ITS Asia-Pacific Congress at COEX in Seoul in 2002 and is holding the congress again after 23 years.

The government will support domestic ITS exports through the congress. Automatic electronic payment systems applied to Hi-Pass, bus information systems, transportation cards, and others are representative ITS export products. A Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport official said, "Korea has developed IT technology so that a single transportation card can be used nationwide without restrictions," adding, "There is demand for such advanced technology."

He continued, "Highway CCTVs, electronic signboards, Hi-Pass, and others are all ITS equipment," and added, "When building roads overseas, Korea wins contracts and installs equipment locally."

Another attractive aspect is that ITS can reduce carbon emissions. For example, introducing Hi-Pass allows toll payments without stopping, reducing exhaust emissions. This is due to the reduced average waiting time of vehicles. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, using the Hi-Pass system reduces annual carbon dioxide emissions by 15,300 tons.

At the Suwon ITS Asia-Pacific Congress, events such as exhibitions, technology demonstrations and inspections, academic conferences, and business consultations will be held under the theme "Hyper-connected Cities by ITS." In particular, Korea's ITS will be introduced to Asia-Pacific countries. About 50 companies and related personnel in the ITS field from more than 20 Asia-Pacific countries including China, Thailand, and Malaysia are expected to participate in the event.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Asia-Pacific region accounted for the largest share of 41% of total ITS exports last year. Following the Asia-Pacific region, exports were mainly to Latin America (28%) and Europe (12%).

The organizing committee for the Suwon ITS Asia-Pacific Congress will be co-chaired by Park Sang-woo, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Lee Jae-jun, Mayor of Suwon. Ham Jin-gyu, President of Korea Expressway Corporation, was appointed as the organizing committee chairman and will be responsible for the practical preparation of the event. About 50 members from various sectors, including industry such as Hyundai Motor Company and SKT, academia, and public institutions, will be selected as organizing committee members.