Taiwanese Government Researcher Speaks Out for ITS
IVsource.net
31 December 2001

A summary of the comments of Chen Yi-Chang of the Transport Research Institute, Taiwanese Ministry of Transportation and Communications, at an ITS development seminar.

Taiwan's traffic-related problems such as congestion, accidents and air pollution can be alleviated only through the adoption of an intelligent transportation system (ITS), said a key researcher from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) at a conference in late 2001.

The comments of Chen Yi-Chang, combined technology planner at the Ministry's Transportation Research Institute, were reported by the Central News Agency.  He was quoted at an ITS development seminar as saying that the new system makes better use of technological advances in information gathering, telecommunication networks, traffic control and vehicle design to maximize the efficiency of existing resources.

At the Top of the Agenda: Congestion & Safety

It is not feasible to try to solve traffic problems by building more roads, said Chen.

The number of vehicles vying for space on the island's saturated roads has grown by 60 percent in the past nine years to almost 17 million.  Taiwan's surface area totals 36,000 square kilometers, with much of it mountainous and not available for roads or development.  Considering just utilization of available space, there are 472 vehicles per square kilometer. "That number is rising," Chen said, "and all this contributes to excessive fuel waste and the mounting problem of air pollution."

Another, perhaps greater, concern: traffic accident casualties -- including deaths and injuries -- number more than 6,000 persons a year in Taiwan, according to police statistics.  The leading cause of mishaps is "improper driving."

Through a systematic collection and analysis of traffic data, Chen said, useful and timely information can be provided for motorists, as well as for the operators and supervisors of public transportation systems.

The system would give operators an up-to-date picture of traffic conditions so that they could effectively adjust the scheduling and route assignment of their fleet of vehicles, while regulating the use of roads by encouraging drivers to avoid congested sections and traffic hours, Chen pointed out.

National System Planned

Chen said that his institute is working together with the MOTC Technology Advisory Department to develop a plan for a national Intelligent Transportation System that is expected to reach demonstration stage as soon as in 2002.  The system is scheduled for completion by 2005, he added.

The Transportation Research Institute is in charge of developing a number of major ITS component systems:

• Advanced transportation management

• Electronic toll collection system for the freeways

• Advanced travel information

• Emergency response

• Advanced mass transportation

• Commercial vehicle operations

• Advanced vehicle control and safety (AVCS)

AVCS is being addressed by Chen’s associate, Fang Wen-Hung. 

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