Press releases

Vienna/Austin, September   13, 2022   – Interstate   15 & State Route   91, highways that runs through one of the most congested regions of the world, experience a state-of-the-art All-Electronic-Tolling (AET) express lanes System. Riverside County drivers on the busy I-15 highway, which connects the US-Canadian border with Las Vegas and Southern California, and SR-91, which runs through several regions of the Greater Los Angeles area, experience an improved drive and reduced congestion by using the barrier-free express lanes system. The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) contracted with Kapsch TrafficCom to provide the end-to-end solution. “Our solution has helped RCTC to reduce congestion on the corridor, and to improve end-user experiences based on consistent and highly responsive services. Other key benefits are the ability to incentivize ride sharing to further reduce traffic while collecting revenue to meet the financial obligations of the I-15   Express Lane project” , comments JB Kendrick, President at Kapsch TrafficCom USA, Inc. End-to-end project acceptance awarded August 23rd After completion of a number of project milestones, including the opening of the 15 Express Lanes and the customer service center in 2021, the final project acceptance was received, certifiying that Kapsch TrafficCom was able to meet all performance and contractual requirements for the project and continue the five year partnership to operate & maintain the RCTC Express Lanes system. The two tolled express lanes incorporate eight toll points on the I-15 Express Lanes and four on the SR-91 Express Lanes in Riverside County. Kapsch TrafficCom also delivered 15 variable message signs (on the roadside), 27 CCTV cameras for enforcement, and 39 microwave vehicle detectors. The solution includes the 15 Express Lanes back-office system,dynamic pricing, image review, a customer contact center, and collections enforcement.Kapsch also provides the operations and maintenance functions for the express lanes and staffs and operates the traffic operations center and customer service center. Learn more at IBTTA 2022 Kapsch TrafficCom is excited to share more info on the project at this year’s IBTTA event in Austin, Texas from September 17-20. If you want to find out more about the project and other innovative tolling projects for Express Lanes or Road User Charging and Demand Management that Kapsch TrafficCom is working on, come by booth 413-415, or go to Tolling Transformation to see our revolutionary ideas on the future of tolling!

Vienna/Los Angeles, September   12, 2022  – At this year’s ITS World Congress in LA, David   Bolt, VP   Sales and Solution Consulting for the APAC region, will provide an update on how the Kapsch   & AIMES Intelligent Corridor project is going and explain six defined use cases focused at congestion management and improving road safety. The project was launched by Kapsch TrafficCom in March of this year together with the University of Melbourne and the Victorian Department of Transport (DOTVic) supported by a AUD 2 million Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage grant from the Federal Government. “Our idea is to use new and existing technology to provide effective 'change levers' to traffic operators, improving the transport network and the surrounding environment for all traffic participants,” David Bolt says ahead of his appearance at the ITS World Congress. Covering a 2.5 kilometer stretch of Nicholson Street between Alexandra and Victoria Parades, the Intelligent Corridor uses sensors, cloud-based AI, machine learning algorithms, predictive models and real time-data capture to improve traffic management – easing congestion, improving road safety for cars, pedestrians and cyclists, and reducing emissions from clogged traffic. The Intelligent Corridor marks a significant new phase, providing a new level of monitoring, with sensors on every intersection and a host of initiatives that will create a world-leading traffic management system. “The challenge is turning the mountain of data that is available into usable information. Our task is connecting the right data and focusing on usable outcomes to enable and inform operators. Based on those outcomes, a number of use cases can be identified that are actively impacting traffic participants,” David continues. The Kapsch Intelligent Corridor is part of the AIMES (Australian Integrated Multimodal EcoSystem) network. AIMES is the world’s first and largest ecosystem for testing emerging connected transport technologies at large scale in complex urban environments. It incorporates over 100 kilometers of road network in Melbourne and receives support from the Victorian Department of Transport. If you want to learn more about the Intelligent Corridor, AIMES and how Kapsch TrafficCom is managing and transforming mobility data, visit David’s presentation in hall 406A on September 20 at 3pm or come by the Kapsch TrafficCom booth #1853.

Vienna, September   1, 2022   – The number of vehicles on the roads shows continued growth, while the cost of maintaining road infrastructure is increasing. At the same time, the new environmental protection and sustainability goals are forcing new mobility concepts. Question: How can tolling still have an impact in this challenging environment? Gabriel Makki : Traditionally, a toll was introduced as a means to recover the cost of building new road infrastructure and fund its ongoing maintenance. Tolling has also proven to be a powerful tool in shaping traffic to achieve set goals. Among those are for example maintaining throughput and reducing congestion and even emissions. This can be achieved by influencing road user behaviour both on motorways and in urban environments. A toll is in fact very effective in that regard as it inherently affects only those actually using the infrastructure. Question: What will tolling technology of the future look like? Gabriel Makki : It is difficult to generalize, because conditions vary between countries. However at the moment, we see that the more forward-looking clients seek to introduce tolling that supports true location and distance-based charging. Their advantage is not only greater flexibility in terms of charging based on actual road used and miles travelled, but they also require less roadside infrastructure. This is worthwhile both for long-term investments and for operating expenses – so it brings CAPEX and OPEX benefits. Question: How does road user charging fit into all this? Gabriel Makki : Electric vehicle, or EV, adoption promises increased transportation sustainability. But EVs also pose significant challenges for governments – especially in terms of funding infrastructure projects and maintaining existing road networks. This is because EVs will dramatically reduce revenues from fuel taxes in just a few years. One way that governments can address this growing hole in their budgets is to implement a new funding method known as road user charging, also called RUC. This considers the distance travelled by motorists in their vehicles, as well as the type and emissions status of vehicles, and applies charges accordingly. RUC is right now being tested in the field. We are involved in these exciting developments, currently rolling out an RUC proof of concept, in short PoC, based on Global Navigation Satellite System technology in Norway. This project gives us the opportunity to deploy our know-how and technology in this emerging domain. We look forward to sharing more on this RUC PoC in the near future. Question: Are there any roadblocks to rolling out distance-based charging technologies such as RUC? Gabriel Makki : When it comes to implementing RUC, there are usually some technical challenges to overcome and public acceptance to generate – for example, with regard to data privacy and the integrity of user data. However, many European countries have already implemented distance-based charging for heavy goods vehicles, in short HGVs. This means that many of the technical building blocks needed for a broader, light-vehicle solution are already available. We are also active in that field, for example with our recent HGV distance-based charging project in Bulgaria, which uses location data from a variety of sources, processed within our advanced Geo Location Platform, to calculate and apply vehicle charges accurately and reliably. Question: What do you think will be the next thing in the tolling space – what are we talking about in five years? Gabriel Makki : I think the tolling industry is very complex and diverse, but it is clear that any tolling solution needs to be flexible enough to adapt to new technologies, such as connected vehicle data, 5G, or data from end-users’ mobile devices. There is a lot of room for improvement and making smart use of data in that area, and I am excited to see how we are developing this space within Kapsch TrafficCom and the industry at large. If you want to learn more about how Kapsch TrafficCom continues to innovate in the tolling space, visit Tolling   Transformation .

Vienna, August   29, 2022   – The public transport business unit, bundled in the group company "Arce Mobility Solutions", is to be sold to the technology company Kontron. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. The agreed purchase price is in line with management expectations. The area of public transport is not part of the strategic core business of Kapsch TrafficCom, therefore the company has decided to sell this business unit. Kapsch TrafficCom acquired the transportation division of Schneider Electric in 2016. This included, among other things, activities in the area of public transport (in particular ticket vending machines and access control) in Spain. In fiscal year 2021/22, this division generated sales of around EUR 11.2 million and employed more than 115 people. For Kontron, the transaction represents a welcome opportunity to further expand the existing business of Kontron Transportation Group in the public transport segment. "Arce Mobility Solutions" will bring a complementary extension of Kontron's product portfolio, engineering capabilities and will also strengthen the Group's presence in the Iberian market, which is already covered by the rail segment.

Melbourne, August 11, 2022   – Kapsch TrafficCom is proud to be part of the team working on the Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems upgrade of Queensland's Bruce Highway, jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments. The Cooperative and Automated Vehicle Initiative (CAVI), delivered by Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR), piloted the system within the Ipswich Connected Vehicle Pilot between September 2021 to 2022. The Ipswich pilot validated the crash reduction benefits for the use cases tested. The Ipswich pilot systems consisted of 29 signalised intersections using Roadside Intelligent Transport Systems Stations (R-ITS-S) and a central facility to test six safety use cases. "This project gives regional road users the chance to explore the C-ITS service along the highway before it becomes commercially available in vehicles, which we are expecting on Australian roads in 2024-25," Minister for Transport and Main Roads of Queensland, Hon Mark Bailey said. "My department is focused on unlocking the crash reduction benefits of C-ITS. This system is expected to reduce crashes by 20%, contributing towards the Queensland Government's vision of zero road deaths and serious injuries, and save around $2   billion over the next 30   years.” Since the Ipswich pilot's conclusion, Kapsch TrafficCom has supplied and remotely commissioned an additional 37 Kapsch TrafficCom road-side units (RSUs) along the Bruce Highway. Covering over 1,500 kilometres along the northeast coast of Australia, between Brisbane and Cairns. The road-side units that Kapsch TrafficCom supplies for the project are located at traffic lights where the Bruce Highway passes through townships. The RSUs broadcast signal status and timing to connected road users, providing them with crucial warnings of red lights and pedestrian presence at crossings. "As traffic volumes increase, connected vehicle technology will play a major role in improving safety and efficiency of the transport network. Bruce Highway is one of the major traffic arteries in Queensland and Kapsch TrafficCom's C-ITS technology gives regional road users the chance to experience the benefits of this technology as it starts to become more commonly available in vehicles” , comments Matthew McLeish, EVP for the APAC region at Kapsch TrafficCom. “The project implementation and pilot execution have created a blueprint for C-ITS projects in Australia and internationally” , Matthew continues. “The collaborative approach between Kapsch TrafficCom and DTMR was essential to delivering a quality solution.” The Bruce Highway C-ITS extension builds on the Ipswich pilot which focused on trialing the core system functionality and developing capability for operators to operate, maintain, and monitor the hardware. The findings of the trial were positive, with a majority of users saying they would continue using the equipment. If you want to find out more about the Bruce Highway C-ITS project and other ongoing projects, come by booth 8 at this year’s ITS Australia Summit 2022 in Brisbane (16-18 August)!

Vienna/Sharjah, August 4, 2022 – Sharjah, the capital city of the Emirate of Sharjah, is actively developing the next level of intelligent traffic management capabilities together with Kapsch TrafficCom. The 1.5   million city Sharjah is the third-most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The new, centralized control system will help with providing improved traffic flow and shorter travel times to drivers across the majority of the city and increase the safety of citizens. Additionally, a state-of-the-art traffic control center will enable the city with the ability to manage traffic in a comprehensive and coordinated way directly across 48 key junctions all over the city. The system will also further strengthen the city’s position as a “healthy city”, as improved traffic flow also means fewer emissions and higher quality of living for city residents, while also cutting down fuel costs for commuters. “ We at Kapsch TrafficCom are delighted to support Sharjah City in a project of this magnitude and are thankful for the excellent cooperation with the team in the traffic engineering department of SRTA. The technology will optimize the city's traffic for the benefit of residents’ quality of life, resulting in less time in the car throughout their journey,” says Fakhar Munir, Country Manager UAE at Kapsch TrafficCom. “It also helps in reducing the carbon emission of the city, which supports His Highness Sultan Bin   Mohammed Al   Qasimi, the ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah’s commitment towards cutting down carbon emissions. This project reinforces Sharjah’s position as one of the leading cities in the UAE when it comes to traffic management.” Over a period of 12 months, which started in May 2022, Kapsch TrafficCom will supply and install 48 controllers, cameras and its EcoTrafiX™ software, integrate the system and design a traffic control center for city authorities. Beyond the initial 12 months, the company is also tasked with maintaining the system for three additional years. The system functions as follows: The EcoTrafiX™ Expert software that is installed at the central control center receives the traffic data collected by the video cameras and traffic controllers, and through calculations identifies the optimal cycle and split for each intersection based on traffic volume, stop duration, and more. This information is then sent back to the traffic controller which adapts traffic light cycles and other variables to optimize the flow of traffic and ultimately reduce travel time, average required stops and also emissions.

Lima, July 20, 2022 – Miraflores is the first city to launch a comprehensive Smart City project in Peru. The objective: Improve the quality of life for citizens by strengthening security as well as efficient traffic management and making the district more sustainable. To this end, a modular growth platform will integrate various information such as on mobility, security, tourism and the environment using open protocols and analytics. Mobility solution provided by Kapsch T he mobility and safety verticals of the project rely on advanced technology developed by Kapsch TrafficCom and Cibernos. The two companies make up the consortium chosen by Miraflores to provide the mobility and safety management systems. These will be integrated into the city's Smart City platform. For mobility management, Kapsch will implement its Ecotrafix™ solution, a state-of-the-art integrated mobility management software. The technology has already been implemented in cities such as Buenos Aires, Madrid, Belo Horizonte, Panama City, among several others around the world. State-of-the-art traffic management increases safety Mobility in the city will be improved by intelligent traffic signalization with EcoTrafiX Controller™ which is highly robust and efficient and has the most advanced functionalities in terms of traffic management. In addition, intelligent horizontal signaling for crosswalks will be implemented, with traffic lights that replicate the on-road signaling by illuminating the floor at the crossings to increase pedestrian safety. The project also includes the installation of more than 300 cameras with various functions such as license plate recognition, facial recognition, traffic analytics and photo fines, the latter managed by the powerful EcoTrafix Enforce™ module. The new cameras will generate an electronic perimeter for access control and road safety. Integrated into the EcoTrafix™ platform, they will be able to generate data on traffic flow, vehicle fleet and service level status on the municipality's roads, in addition to enabling easy recognition of pedestrians to enhance citizen safety, traffic and pedestrian traceability. Thus, district managers will have access to the necessary information for an intelligent and proactive management of mobility. “Smart Cities are the future” "This project will bring direct benefits to the citizens and we are very proud to make a contribution to it with our technology,” says Carlos Wiedmaier, Vice President Solution Consulting for Latin America at Kapsch TrafficCom. “We are certain that Smart Cities are the future. We hope that more Latin American cities will be inspired and start investing in technology for smarter mobility management.”

Vienna/Gothenburg, July 14 2022 – The Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) has assigned Kapsch TrafficCom to build a new Multi-Lane Free-Flow system (MLFF) in Gothenburg, Sweden. The contract was signed on July,   5 2022. The MLFF scheme covers a complex city area passed through by approximately 150 million vehicles each year. In terms of tolling stations and charging points, the Swedish project ranks among the biggest urban congestion charging projects in the world. “We are proud to have won this large-scale contract and look forward to implementing a reliable and high-performing system in Gothenburg. Our system will capture vehicle data in a quality which is the best-in-class within the tolling industry. We will provide the best possible information to enable the authority to make the correct taxation decisions of the vehicles using the infrastructure," says Mikael Hejel, responsible Area Sales Manager for the Nordic countries. In the city of Gothenburg, the existing system supplied by two different providers is reaching its end of life. Therefore the 42 existing tolling stations consisting of 85 charging and checkpoints will be fully replaced, covering a total of 138 lanes. The new Multi-Lane Free-Flow System allows vehicles to be identified automatically at the free-flow tolling stations, under any traffic and climatic conditions. The information captured is transmitted to the back-office of the Swedish Transport Agency (Transportstyrelsen) for processing and invoicing taxation decisions to the vehicle owners. The scheme generates approximately 90 million Euros in tax revenue per year. The contract covers both the replacement of all existing charging points and checkpoints by the new MLFF system provided by Kapsch TrafficCom, as well as the technical operation 24/7/365 for 10 years. The contract also includes options of extension of the technical operation and options for supply of additional charging points and checkpoints.

In a bid to control traffic congestion and minimise associated air pollution, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced plans to expand Ultra Low Emissions Zone