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Toll on two-lane roads to drive costs down

More than 10,000 kms of roads may get tolled across the country. In what may be called a first, the ministry of road transport and highways is considering a proposal to toll two-lane roads. This is being done to not only recover the cost of construction but also ensure funds for their maintenance and upkeep. According to a senior government official, the move has come as a part of the government’s attempt to attract more road developers and also reduce the burden on annuity and build operate transfer (BOT) projects.

So far two-lane roads are not tolled across the country. But the idea is being considered especially because the government may award the construction of two-lane national highways on certain lean traffic areas across the country. This is being done to reduce the cost at a time when developers have been shortage of funds, as the official said.

The move will require making changes to the toll policy of the government, which provides for tolling of four and six lane highways currently. The ministry had introduced a new toll policy in December 2008 by the way of which toll rates had been doubled or trebled on certain stretches.

The current toll policy stipulates a fee of Rs 0.65 per kilometre for cars jeeps etc, Rs 1.05 per km for light commercial vehicles, Rs 2.20 for buses and trucks, Rs 3.45 for heavy construction machinery and Rs 4.20 for vehicles with over seven axles. However, these are the recommended rates for four and six lane highways and a similar schema would have to be prepared for two lane highways, if the proposal gets implemented.

The fee for two-lane highways is expected to be much lower but the location will also matter in determining it. For instance, it may be higher for hilly terrain roads.

The government has been working on a plan to re-engineer roads and thereby reduce their cost. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is considering the removal of a number of additional structures on highways that escalate the cost. Taking this further, the minister for roads recently suggested that even in areas where two lane roads are being considered tolling should be implemented.

However, there is a flip side two lanes as well. They are less safe than four or six lane highways as there is no divider to prevent head on collisions. Even though we support the idea, the viability of tolling two lane highways would have to be considered in the light of the administrative cost of collection, a road expert from the National Highways Builders Federation (NHBF) said.

Currently there is a network of over 70,000 kms of national highways in the country, the maintenance of which comes under the central government. Even though national highways are only 2 per cent of the total road network, they carry bulk of the country’s traffic at over 65 per cent.

Source:indianexpress.com

Kapsch TrafficCom AG is awarded two prizes

Press Release

Kapsch TrafficCom AG is awarded two prizes: important award for innovative traffic telematics solution in the USA and the Stock Exchange Prize in Austria

Kapsch TrafficCom AG was recently awarded by the well-known US traffic organisation, ITS merica for an innovative traffic telematics solution. ITS America awarded the “5.9 GHz Dedicated hort Range Communications (DSRC) Smart Road Technologies for Traffic Safety and Mobility” by Kapsch with the “Best Innovative Practice” prize. Specifically, the prize was awarded for the innovative Kapsch implementation of forty 5.9 GHz DSRC toll portals in New York City and New York State. Kapsch TrafficCom has been active in the USA since 2008. The ITS America award once again underscores the leading position of Kapsch TrafficCom as an internationally active vendor of innovative traffic telematics solutions.

“The ITS Award is the most important prize of its type – only this programme honours the most innovative, efficient and influential achievements in the industry worldwide”, explains Erwin Toplak, Management Board Member of Kapsch TrafficCom AG. “We are pleased that this coveted award honours our performance in the field of 5.9 GHz DSRC networks for improving the safety, reliability and
infrastructure of US roads”.

Kapsch TrafficCom has been active in the USA since 2008. In the previous year, the company completed the testing of a 5.9 GHz DSRC telematics test station in the vicinity of Denver, Colorado, with impressive success. Kapsch TrafficCom received the latest award for its innovative implementation of forty 5.9 GHz DSRC telematics stations in New York City and New York State in a demonstration installation. These telematics stations communicate with on-board units, which are located in the vehicles and contribute to improving traffic safety, mobility and environmental compatibility. The architecture used enables the operation of more than 20 applications from the fields of safety, mobility, toll payment and toll information. The 5.9 GHz DSRC system from Kapsch TrafficCom was introduced at the ITS America Annual General Meeting 2009, which was held from 1 – 3 June 2009 at the Gaylord National Convention Center.

“With 5.9 GHz DSRC, intelligent transport solutions achieve a new technological dimension that significantly increases the benefit for the user”, says Scott Belcher, President of ITS America. “Kapsch is the driving force when it comes to launching high-performance 5.9 GHz DSRC applications for safety, mobility and payment infrastructure on the global markets. As traffic services in the USA are continuously gaining in importance, we expect improved transport infrastructure to provide the market with more safety, among other things”.

At about the same time, Kapsch TrafficCom achieved second place in the Small and Mid Cap Prize category of the Vienna Stock Exchange Prize. This prize evaluates companies that are listed on the ATX Prime Index and distinguish themselves particularly positively with regard to criteria such as reporting, investor relations and technical market factors.

Kapsch TrafficCom is an international provider of innovative traffic telematics systems. Kapsch TrafficCom develops and supplies mainly electronic toll systems (Electronic Toll Collection – ETC), especially Multi-Lane Free-Flow (MLFF) ETC systems, and offers the technical and commercial operation of these systems. In addition, Kapsch TrafficCom offers traffic management solutions that focus on traffic safety and traffic influencing, electronic access control systems and parking space management. With more than 220 customer references worldwide in 36 countries on all five continents, with a total of more than fourteen million OBUs and nearly 12,000 equipped road lanes, Kapsch TrafficCom has positioned itself among the global market leaders of ETC systems. Kapsch TrafficCom has its headquarters in Vienna, Austria, and has subsidiaries and representative offices in 22 countries.

Vienna, 19th June 2009

For further information:
Brigitte Herdlicka
Public Relations & Sponsoring
Kapsch Group
Phone: +43 (0) 50 811 1710
1120 Vienna, Am Europlatz 2
E-Mail: brigitte.herdlicka@kapsch.net
www.kapschtraffic.com
www.kapsch.net

Kapsch TrafficCom delivers Toll Systems for Urban Motorways in Bangkok

Kapsch TrafficCom impresses yet again with a new project in Asia: The company is constructing modern toll systems for three of the largest motorways in Bangkok. Kapsch TrafficCom Sweden will be working with two Thai companies under the joint venture FKS. The order for more than 55 kilometres of motorway in total will be completed in August 2009. Its worth is estimated at 8.5 million euros.

As from autumn 2009, visitors to Bangkok will be escorted on their journey into the centre of the city by Austrian toll equipment. For Kapsch TrafficCom was able to notch up an order recently to fit out three large motorways in Bangkok. More specifically, the company will install the system by order of the Expressway & Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (EXAT), in cooperation with the two Thai companies Fatima Group and Smart Traffic Co Ltd – as FKS Joint Venture. The Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway (consisting of three sections with a total length of 27.1 kilometres), the Chalong Rat Expressway (six-lane with a length of 18.7 km) and the Ramindra Outer Ring Project (with a total length of 9.5 kilometres) are set to be equipped with toll systems.

“Kapsch TrafficCom has repeatedly been successful in Asia. By replacing the 8-year old equipment and upgrading the electronic toll system, the flow of traffic on these three motorways will be sped up and traffic jams will to a large extent be avoided. This was possible primarily because of the extensive expertise of our employees and due to our many years of experience on the Asian market”, declares Erwin Toplak, Member of the Board, Kapsch TrafficCom AG.

The contract to set up the largest electronic toll system to date and a central system for registering and guiding traffic comprises altogether 80 lanes. The new infrastructure will include 100,000 CEN DSRC compatible transponders, 100,000 non-contact smart cards and other equipment (i.a. server equipment, a network and a CCTV video camera system). The system will be completed in autumn 2009 and comprises an order volume of approximately 8.5 million euros.

Kapsch TrafficCom is an international supplier of innovative road traffic telematics solutions. Its principle business is the development and supply of electronic toll collection (ETC) systems, in particular for the multi-lane free-flow (MLFF) of the traffic, and the technical and commercial operation of such systems. Kapsch TrafficCom also supplies traffic management systems, with a focus on road safety and traffic control, and electronic access systems and parking management. With more than 140 reference projects in 30 countries in Europe, Australia, Latin America, in the Asian/Pacific region and in South Africa, and with almost 12 million on-board units (OBUs) and nearly 11,000 equipped lanes, Kapsch TrafficCom has positioned itself among the leading suppliers of ETC systems worldwide. Kapsch TrafficCom is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, and has subsidiaries and representative offices in 20 countries.

For further information:
Brigitte Herdlicka
Public Relations & Sponsoring
Kapsch Group
Phone: +43 (0) 50 811 1705
A-1120 Vienna, Wagenseilgasse 1
E-mail: brigitte.herdlicka@kapsch.net
www.kapschtraffic.com
www.kapsch.net

ATTSII Recommends Guidelines For A Suitable Electronic Toll Collection Standardisation For India

PROPOSES WORLD WIDE TESTED AND RECOGNIZED CEN 278, BASED ON DSRC MICROWAVE TECHNLOGY

Objective of a suitable ETC: Identify the vehicle distinctly Transmit the data securely to Database Guaranteed and fast recording of transaction Zero Leakage & self auditable Electronic clearance and Interoperability of plazas operated by different entities.

Features of CEN 278 technology: Based on Microwave 5.8 GHz Cost Effective Proven standard world wide Sourcing from Multiple vendors Foster Interoperability (CESARE, PISTA, CARDME)

New Delhi, 23rd July, 2008: The Association of Toll and Traffic Systems Integrators of India (ATTSII) has recommended guidelines for a suitable Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) to the working group formed by the Committee of Road Safety and Traffic Management, Ministry of Surface Transport and Highways to determine the technology for Advance Traffic Management Systems, Advance Travel or Information Systems and Electronic Toll collection Systems. The association proposes CEN 278 standard based on DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication) microwave technology for the Indian subcontinent keeping in mind the Indian environment and driving conditions.

Representing the association, Mr. Sachin Bhatia, President ATTSII and Country Director of KAPSCH METRO JV said, “CEN 278 is the most acceptable technology worldwide with interoperability standards. It is already successfully implemented at the Delhi – Gurgaon Expressway, the largest 32 lane toll plaza in India. Introduction of smart tags based on microwave technology has received overwhelming response from drivers who earlier had to wait in long queues for several hours at the Toll. Now, it only takes few seconds for each vehicle to pass through, significantly reducing waiting time. CEN 278 is a cost effective technology as multiple vendors are present in the market to ensure that customers get the best competitive deal.

“At a time when India is starting to put in place the ETC technology, it should adopt the most advanced technology that is pre tested, allows wider applications and faster data transfer speed. We cannot afford to lose time in deciding on a technology as there is an urgent need to meet the ever increasing traffic management requirements in India that suits the masses and is most viable to implement,” said Mr. Aman Kishore ,VP of the ATTSII and Managing Director of International Road Dynamics (IRD) South Asia.

“IRD have successfully implemented CEN 278 standard microwave based Electronic Toll Collection(ETC) technology in April 2006 at Hoogly River Bridge Commissioners (HRBC) site at Vidyasagar Setu – Kolkata. HRBC is a West Bengal Government organization for operation, implementation and maintenance of Hoogly Bridge. Currently, it has 24 lanes at 1 Plaza with 4 ETC Lanes and is efficiently meeting requirements of the department to cater to heavy traffic volumes in a matter of seconds at the entry to Kolkata city,” added Mr. Kishore.

He further explained, “Most of the Build Operate Transfer (BOT) operators are opting for technology for ETC which is more cost effective and operationally efficient for Indian conditions. Recently, we have bagged an order for implementation of CEN 278 standard microwave based ETC from one of biggest BOT and O&M operators in the country – Ideal Road Builders (IRB), Mumbai for one of its locations at Mumbai’s Entry Points. The decision of opting for Microwave based ETC technology by such a reputed company must have been taken after much due diligence.”

“The major advantage of the microwave technology is the presence of numerous vendors in the market that generates fair competition. We must understand the emerging traffic volume in our country and we must opt and guide for technology which best meets diverse user needs and national interest, rather than being guided by commercial interest of vendors.

“CEN 278 standard is based on microwave technology, making it more reliable, robust and viable. A very recent example is the stormy morning of 14th May; any other known standards based on other technologies like infrared would have created chaos at points where it would have been applied. This is because in dusty weather, data fails to be securely transmitted, resulting in distortion in reporting and further leading to revenue leakages at tolling booths. As ATTSII represents the road operators in India, we sincerely hope to provide the best infrastructure and cost effective method of ETC for the end benefits for our people, we strongly recommend CEN 278 to be included as a policy due to its advantages outweighing that of any other present technology, pre -tested and widely accepted”, further explained Mr. Bhatia.

“It is a proven technology being used for electronic toll collection for many years around the world. This proves also our more than 140 reference projects in 30 countries in the Asian/Pacific region, Europe, Australia, Latin America and in South Africa. This technology guarantees thanks the reliability of the tolling system and the low error rate the maximum toll income and it is the perfect choice for charging on motorways, expressways and even secondary main roads. With respect to interoperability the DSRC is the only working technology today providing the necessary standards and specifications. We have also already made very good experiences with using of the DSRC tolling systems for the improving of the road safety and for the optimizing of the traffic flow by the installation of traffic data sensors or variable message signs on the toll gantries,” said Erwin Toplak, Management Board, Kapsch TrafficCom AG.

About ATTSII

The Association of Toll and Traffic Systems Integrators of India (ATTSII) has been established in India for the Toll and traffic Industry players to share their views; ideas and technologies through a common platform. The Association comprises of the leading players of the Industry as below:

• IRD, Canada / India
• Kapsch TrafficCom AG; Austria/ India
• GEA; France / India
• CS ROUTE ; France/ India
• Metro Road Systems ; India
• Q-Free / Comvision , India

About Kapsch TrafficCom AG

Kapsch TrafficCom AG is an international supplier of innovative road traffic telematics solutions. Its principle business is the development and supply of electronic toll collection (ETC) systems, in particular for the multi-lane free-flow (MLFF) of the traffic, and the technical and commercial operation of such systems. Kapsch TrafficCom also supplies traffic management systems, with a focus on road safety and traffic control, and electronic access systems and parking management. With more than 140 reference projects in 30 countries in Europe, Australia, Latin America, in the Asian/Pacific region and in South Africa, and with almost 12 million on-board units (OBUs) and nearly 11,000 equipped lanes, Kapsch TrafficCom has positioned itself among the leading suppliers of ETC systems worldwide. Kapsch TrafficCom is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, and has subsidiaries and representative offices in 20 countries.

For further media queries contact:

Alka Ohja / Archana Sharda
Blue Lotus PR
alka@bluelotuspr.com / archanas@bluelotuspr.com
011-46571241 / 42
9958443490 / 9811838332

From April, pay toll tax to use NH 25

Lucknow, February 24 Planning to take the Lucknow-Kanpur highway? Get ready to pay for a smooth driving experience. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is all set to introduce toll tax for the 48-km Lucknow-Unnao stretch on NH 25 by April this year. It will set up a toll tax booth just before Nawabganj.

NHAI officials said the recommendation in this regard has already been sent to the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways and a notification is expected within a month.

The toll tax may be charged at reduced rates initially, they added.

“A toll plaza is generally set up at an interval of 70-80 km on the highway. But a railway overbridge in Unnao on Lucknow-Kanpur stretch is yet to be completed. So, the toll may be reduced proportionately,” said M K Jain, Project Director of NHAI.

The proposed site (near Nawabganj) for the toll plaza suggests that commuters coming from Lucknow to Unnao and Kanpur will have to pay the tax.

“Similarly, the people coming from Kanpur to Lucknow will also have to pay the toll. But, people travelling from Lucknow to Banthara or from Kanpur to Unnao would be saved from the tax,” an official said.

The proposed toll site, however, may be changed after the ROB in Unnao is completed.

While cars, jeeps and vans will have to pay a tax of around Rs 25, trucks and buses will be charged around Rs 95.

“The toll tax is calculated for 12 am to 11.59 pm for one-side trip. If a commuter has to return on the same day, he will have to shell out about one-and-a-half times of the toll rate,” a NHAI official said.

“For daily commuters, the NHAI can issue monthly passes,” he added.

According to NHAI norms, VIPs, defence vehicles, police vehicles, fire-fighting vehicles, ambulances, funeral vans, posts and telegraphs department vehicles will not have pay toll tax.

This will be the second highway after NH 2 in the state on which toll tax will be introduced.

“According to government policy, NHAI will set up toll plaza as soon a particular highway stretch is completed. And these are going to stay, so that NHAI could carry out maintenance and upgradation works effectively,” another official said.

Source: expressindia.com

India’s Largest Toll Plaza – Delhi-Gurgaon

Kapsch Metro JV has commissioned the Delhi Gurgaon Expressway with 3 Toll Plazas with a total of 59 toll lanes. The largest toll plaza has a total of 32 + 4 reversible toll lanes.

The Project has a total of 24 ETC with some of them mixed type with cash and smart card facility ; the remaining being cash and smart Card type.

All lanes are equipped with Automatic vehicle classification systems . All the three plazas are interconnected through a WAN.

The First Kapsch Toll System In India Finalized: Toll System For One Of The Most Frequented Highways Is Up And Running.

Since End of January 2008 runs the operation of the first road toll project of Kapsch TrafficCom AG in India with no problems. Within a joint venture structure – the Kapsch Metro Joint Venture – Kapsch TrafficCom alongside the Indian Metro Road Systems Ltd. fitted one section of the National Highway No. 8 with a modern manual/electronic toll system. This highway covers the route from Delhi to Gurgaon and is one of the most frequented roads in the region. The central toll plaza with altogether 32 toll lanes is one of the largest toll stations in all of Asia.

Since January 2008, the road from Delhi to Gurgaon features a modern manual/electronic toll system based on microwave technology (CEN 278). Completion of this toll system marks the successful finalization of the first road toll project of Kapsch TrafficCom in India. The principal, licensee DS Constructions Ltd., decided to award the contract to the Kapsch Metro Joint Venture in September 2006.

“For us, the selection of KapschMetro JV as a technology partner was an important step in the management of the traffic volumes on the project. The technology selected is stable, secure and has processed over 3 million transactions to date with no problems. The installation of the equipment was done in difficult circumstances with live traffic of over 130,000 per day travelling through the lanes during the installation period. The equipment implementation of the Delhi-Gurgaon toll project is a success story, Kapsch Metro JV delivered the project on schedule and to our complete satisfaction“, explains Allan Le Roux, Chief Operations Officer- Tolling of DS Constructions Ltd.

“Kapsch has already performed successful projects in India in the past, contracting GSM-R work for Indian Railroads, the Indian national railway system. With this commission, we were able to enter the Indian toll system market within an extremely short time, owing our success largely to our staff’s wealth of know-how and to the many years of experience we have in the Asian area. For me, the route that has now been completed is just the beginning of numerous further business ventures in Asia“, says Erwin Toplak, Board Member of Kapsch TrafficCom AG.

The Toll Road project is constructed on a 20 year BOT basis and has a length of 27 km long and rates among the most heavily trafficked projects in the region and provides important connectivity to the Indira Gandhi International Airport of New Delhi and the “New Millennium City” Gurgaon which boasts as having one of the worlds biggest shopping malls! The three toll plazas on the project have a total of 56 toll lanes. The main toll plaza located on the Delhi Haryana Border has 32 toll lanes. Motorists are able to use cash or use a Smart Card in at all lanes except the 4 dedicated non stop lanes with exclusive payment via microwave TAGs.

Kapsch TrafficCom AG is a global provider of innovative road traffic telematic systems, products, and services. Kapsch TrafficCom develops and supplies electronic toll collection systems, in particular multi-lane free-flow (MLFF) systems, and is also able to act as the technical and commercial manager for operating these systems. Further, Kapsch TrafficCom offers traffic management solutions (with the focus on road safety and traffic control), electronic access control systems, and parking space management. Kapsch TrafficCom has established itself among the global market leaders for ETC systems with more than 140 installed toll systems in 30 countries in Europe, Australia, Latin America, the Asian/Pacific Area, and South Africa, which altogether feature more than eleven million transponders and about 11′000 fitted lanes. Kapsch TrafficCom is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, and has subsidiaries and representative offices in 18 countries.

Vienna on 27th March, 2008

For further information, please contact:
Brigitte Herdlicka
Public Relations & Sponsoring
Kapsch Group
Phone: +43 (0) 50 811 2705
1120 Vienna, Wagenseilgasse 1
E-Mail: brigitte.herdlicka@kapsch.net
www.kapschtraffic.com
www.kapsch.net

NHAI's First ETC(Electronic Toll Collection) PLAZA

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