The Hanoi Department of Transport is seeking approval from the municipal authority for more than VND392 billion ($16 million) to develop an intelligent transport system (ITS) in the first phase from 2025-2027.

ITS is a system that applies technical and technological solutions to the efficient operation of urban transport, ensuring traffic safety and order, saving travel costs and time, and protecting the environment.

Hanoi's intelligent traffic operation center. Photo: Hanoimoi.vn

To complete the organizational framework needed to operate the nine initial functions of the ITS system, the Traffic Management and Operation Center will be established based on the Intelligent Traffic Operation Center currently in place in Hanoi.

The department will focus on upgrading the center's infrastructure and installing cameras and electronic traffic signs at 55 intersections on Ring Roads 1, 2, 3, and radial routes.

Hanoi's Intelligent Transport System monitors roads, provides traffic information, helps maintain traffic order, detects safety violations, and controls public transport, incidents, infrastructure, parking, and electronic ticketing.

The project plays an important role in making Hanoi a smart and modern city by 2030, gradually connecting to the smart city network in Southeast Asia and the world. It will be an essential tool for government agencies in traffic management and operation.

The project also includes the installation of 600 traffic surveillance cameras in the city center. Intelligent transport applications in Hanoi include a bus search application, surveillance cameras to ensure bus operations, software for road traffic infrastructure systems, and electronic passes on some bus lines. 

The ITS was launched on July 4. "The Hanoi ITS roadmap will consist of three phases: Phase 1 (2024-2026) will see the installation and operation of the Traffic Operations Center, which will be expanded in Phase 2 (2027-2029), and Phase 3 (2030) will focus on sustainable development," Phuong said.

According to the Hanoi Department of Transport, the city's current population is nearly 10 million people, with over 7.8 million vehicles of all kinds, not including 1.2 million vehicles from other provinces and cities.

Over 10% more cars and 3% more motorcycles were registered between 2019 and 2023.  Meanwhile, the land area for traffic has only reached about 12%, leading to congestion on traffic routes in the city.