Published: May 27, 2009
MHI Begins Trial Operation of Global ETC in Malaysia
Tokyo, May 27, 2009 - (ACN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), in cooperation with Mitsubishi Corporation, began the trial operation of an electronic toll collection (ETC) system on a highway in Malaysia. ETC enables collection of road tolls without requiring vehicles tostop at tollgates. The trial was launched with support from the Malaysian government, which is considering upgrading its existing ETC system to a multi-lane free flow (MLFF) type in order to ease traffic congestion. This is the first overseas application of technology based on current Japanese ETC standards. The trial operation will be conducted until the end of this year. MHI is confident to win a contract to upgrade Malaysia's existing ETC system based on the trial operation results and leveraging its track record.
The trial operation is taking place at the Penchala toll plaza of the Damansara-Puchong Expressway near Kuala Lumpur, the nation's capital. For the trial operation, MHI is providing a roadside communication system and vehicle on-board units (OBUs). Through the demonstration, MHI aims to prove the reliability of its ETC technology, the new system's compatibility with currently operated ETC cards, and its functionality in mixed operation with the existing system. At the same time, the company looks to demonstrate the superiority of its technological capability to introduce the MLFF operation which allows a free flow of multi-lane traffic without requiring vehicles to slow down for toll collecting - into Malaysia.
The ETC system being demonstrated features highly reliable Japanese ETC system specifications. The system uses active-type dedicated short-range communication (Active DSRC). Considering the needs of overseas markets, MHI's OBU is battery powered andaccepts contact-less IC card for prepayment. MHI has been aggressively marketing this "Global ETC" system with the aim that it will become a global standard in ETC systems from Japan. When adopted, the system, which can collect tolls from about 2,000 vehicles per hour, will contribute significantly to easing traffic congestion.
Malaysia is one of the most extensively highway-networked countries in Southeast Asia. MHI, in addition to seeking to win a contract to upgrade that country's existing system, looks to leverage its trial operation in Malaysia to become increasingly proactive in marketing its "global standard" ETC system and in expanding sales by proposing the technology to various countries and regions now mulling ETC system deployment.
About Mitsubishi Corporation
Mitsubishi Corporation (TSE: 8058; ADR: MSBHY) is Japan's largest general trading company (sogo shosha) with over 200 bases of operations in approximately 80 countries worldwide. Together with its over 500 group companies, Mitsubishi Corporation employs a multinational workforce approximately 55,000 people. The Group has long been engaged in business with customers around the world in virtually every industry, including energy, metals, machinery, chemicals, food and general merchandise. Mitsubishi Corporation's commitment to social responsibility is embodied in its corporate philosophy and demonstrated through its extensive programme of cultural, environmental and educational projects worldwide. For more information, please visit www.mitsubishicorp.com .
Source: Mitsubishi Corporation
Contact:
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Hideo Ikuno
h.ikuno@daiya-pr.co.jp
+81-3-6716-5277
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