The Ministry of Transportation and Communications is launching a NT$5 billion (US$164.4 million) intelligent transportation system at the end of the year to facilitate smooth traffic on freeways and expressways.
Using the system, drivers can check traffic conditions online before hitting the road and keep informed of the latest traffic updates through roadside electronic signs, radio and navigation satellite systems.
The ministry started work on the project in 2005. With a budget of NT$3.5 billion, the National Freeway Bureau was charged with the construction of the system on national freeways and seven expressways connected to the freeways. The Directorate General of Highways, with a budget of NT$1.5 billion, was responsible for the other five expressways that are not connected to the freeway system.
Bureau Director-General Lee Tai-ming (李泰明) said that the new system’s biggest advantage over the old one is that it offers more complete information, including local routes adjacent to the freeways.
Drivers can now only access basic traffic information, but the new system will provide them with more detailed data, including estimated time for traffic disruptions to be cleared, more accurate calculation of travel time and alternative routes in case of emergency conditions, he said.
The bureau said that at least one changeable message sign would be installed before each interchange to provide the latest traffic updates, and more signs would be installed on some major routes.
The new system will provide all information for free to navigation satellite system companies.
Drivers who have their own navigation satellite systems can also access the road data.
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