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How can Bangkok earn $1 billion in socio-economic benefits?

Implementing intelligent transport systems will enable better traffic management in addition to improved commuting, environment and safety

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Sonal Desai
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BANGKOK: Bangkok—the capital of Thailand can earn $1 billion in socio-economic benefits!

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According to a new research report produced by the GSMA titled, Building Digital Societies in Asia: Making Transportation Smarter, successful implementation of intelligent transport systems (ITS) could reduce travel times, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and road accidents, driving social and economic benefits of up to $1 billion per year.

In addition, ITS can also potentially result in long-term positive changes in commuter habits and encourage citizens to use safe and environmentally friendly ways of commuting, the study says.

ITS applications comprise traveller information and management solutions, transport pricing and payment systems as well as pedestrian and vehicle safety applications.

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According to the new GSMA Intelligence report, implementing ITS solutions in Bangkok could lead to a reduction in travel time of between two to four days per commuter per year. In addition, CO2 emissions contributed by road traffic could be reduced by 10 to 20 percent, or 3 to 5 million metric tonnes per year.

ITS solutions could also reduce the number of road accidents by up to 8,000 per year, possibly saving up to 100 lives or nearly a quarter of the annual road traffic deaths reported in Bangkok in 2013.

In a typical ITS solution, data collected from vehicles, infrastructure or users is aggregated, analysed and then delivered back to them, allowing for informed and timely commute decisions. The solutions can be delivered over wireless and wire-line communications-based information and electronics technologies.

“There is a growing recognition of the significant benefits ITS can have on the environment, in improving productivity, safety and overall quality of life,” said Chris Zull, Spectrum Director, GSMA Asia. “ITS solutions have been successfully implemented around the world, particularly in developed countries to address major transportation challenges. As mobile connectivity rates in Asia rise exponentially, dense metropolitan centres like Bangkok have a real opportunity to dramatically improve traffic flow, increase productivity, reduce vehicular pollution and even save lives.”

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