- It comprises of a range of services and can be seen as a step towards implementing smart transportation system.
- The system will be operational in 2020 in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
NEC Corporation, the Japan-based leader in the integration of IT and network technologies has announced the introduction an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) as per a directive issued by Modern Bus Company, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. It is expected that this will improve the performance of the city’s bus traffic. The system is scheduled to launch operations in 2020.
Solutions to overcome increasing traffic problems
NEC’s ITS helps to overcome the increasing traffic problems by providing a wide range of innovative services such as:
- Automated fare collection system, an accurate and reliable method for millions of travelers.
- Bus location management system, which uses GPS to monitor the location of approximately 400 buses in real time.
Moreover, bus information is provided to passengers through solar powered displays installed at bus stops and mobile applications.
“Together with Modern Bus Company, NEC aims to manage the operation of approximately 2,000 buses in Makkah within the next five years,” said Ryuji Nakagawa, General Manager, Transportation and Logistics Solutions Division, NEC Corporation. “NEC has a well-established record of providing Intelligent Transportation Systems throughout Asia, including Hong Kong, Singapore and India, and will continue to build partnerships globally in support of the development of safe, secure and efficient transportation infrastructure.”
Every year, the increasing number of pilgrims visiting Makkah from around the world poses a huge challenge for the Saudi Arabian government for its successful completion. More than 2 million people participated in 2018. This number is expected to double over the next 15 years, making it essesntial for the development of public transportation.
