Central Software Platform for Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems and Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems Test and Implementation Corridor

Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, attended the signing ceremony of the "Central Software Platform Development Project for Cooperative Intelligent Transportation Systems", which was implemented with the joint work of the General Directorate of Highways (KGM), TÜRKSAT and the Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication Research Centre (UDHAM). In his statement here, Minister Uraloğlu underlined that intelligent transport systems are a set of systems based on information and communication technologies that make transportation safer, more comfortable, provide energy efficiency, effectively manage transport networks.

Minister Uraloğlu emphasised that intelligent transport systems contribute to the optimisation of transport infrastructure, improving the quality of transport services for users, increasing travel safety and providing environmentally friendly transport options and said: "At this point, as the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, we continue to expand intelligent transport systems in our highway network as in all modes of transport in order to reduce travel times, increase traffic safety, use existing road capacities effectively and contribute to the national economy by providing energy efficiency. We continue our efforts to establish fast and safe roads by equipping our highway infrastructure with smart and autonomous technologies."

Uraloğlu pointed out the importance of the "Central Software Platform Development Project for Cooperative Intelligent Transportation Systems" and said, "It is very important for the benefit of our country that the software of systems using high technology is domestic and national."

"The most important thing for all of us now is time; we don't want to wait anywhere."

Reminding that Türkiye's first introduction to intelligent transport systems started with electronic toll payment systems, Uraloğlu said: "OGS was first implemented on the Turkish road network, motorways and bridges in 1999. Later on, the Card Pass System, which allows drivers to pay with electronic cards that they can carry with them, was put into use. As of 1 February 2013, KGS was completely abolished and HGS new Fast Pass System application started. The most important thing for all of us now is time; we do not want to wait anywhere."

Uraloğlu said that the lanes at toll plazas on motorways are a risk area for traffic, and for this reason, they have developed a free pass system and will expand it throughout the country, and added: "But the most important steps in this field were taken with the establishment of Intelligent Transportation Systems Centres within the General Directorate of Highways. These centres can be briefly considered as centres where all data are collected and road users are informed instantly by means of devices such as meteorological sensors, variable message signs and cameras placed at certain points."

"We aim to complete the sound, imaging and automation system installation works of the centre in Van this year."

Uraloğlu stated that they plan to establish a total of 17 centres, one Intelligent Transportation Systems Centre in each regional directorate of the General Directorate of Highways, and the Main Centre, to which these centres will be connected, in the General Directorate campus and said: "We completed the sound imaging and automation system of the Main Intelligent Transportation Systems Centre in 2020, and the systems of the centre in the 13th Regional Directorate of Highways in Antalya in 2022. We aim to complete the sound, imaging and automation system installation works of the centre in the 11th Regional Directorate of Highways campus in Van this year. Project preparation works for the centres in Istanbul, Izmir, Konya, Ankara, Mersin, Kayseri, Samsun, Diyarbakır, Trabzon, Erzurum, Bursa, Kastamonu, Sivas and Kars Regional Directorates are ongoing. The project work for the ITS Centre at the 8th Regional Directorate in Elazığ is also in progress."

Uraloğlu noted that within the scope of image integration works at the Main Intelligent Transportation Systems Centre, camera images of the Istanbul-İzmir Motorway, Northern Marmara Motorway, Menemen-Aliağa-Çandarlı Motorway, Ankara-Nigde Motorway, Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, Osmangazi Bridge and 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, as well as camera images of the Snow Fighting, Highways Inspection Stations, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and 15 July Martyrs Bridge connected to the corporate network can be monitored on the screens at the Main Intelligent Transportation Systems Centre.

Stating that they instantly detect the effects of variables such as weather events, environmental conditions and possible accidents thanks to our meteorological information stations, cameras and event detection applications, which are components of intelligent transportation systems, Uraloğlu said, "We can instantly inform all our drivers about road conditions with signalling systems, variable message signs, radio broadcasts and mobile information applications. In this context, there are 2 thousand 990 signalisation systems, 5 thousand 152 cameras, 149 Meteorological Stations, 710 Variable Message Signs, 1 thousand 120 Variable Traffic Signs, 209 speed detection and warning radars and 1 thousand 723 light warning and safety devices on motorways, state and provincial roads throughout the country. Internet infrastructure is also very important for the active and efficient use of these devices."

"The length of fibre optic cable communication infrastructure on highways has reached 7 thousand 629 kilometres."

Uraloğlu stated that as of today, there are a total of 3 thousand kilometres of roads with completed communication infrastructure on state and provincial roads and 4 thousand 629 kilometres of communication infrastructure in the motorway network and said: "The length of fibre optic cable communication infrastructure on the highways in our country has reached 7 thousand 629 kilometres. In this context, it is planned to install a total of 15 thousand kilometres of fibre cable on our roads and the works are continuing in stages."

"Through ITS, we will maximise safety on the roads while preventing unnecessary time and material losses."

Uraloğlu also mentioned the meaning of intelligent transportation system devices such as signalling, cameras, variable messages and traffic signs in human terms, "Look; In unplanned situations such as an accident that suddenly occurs on the road, a vehicle that has to stop for any reason, hidden icing, an object falling on the road, drivers may sometimes not notice these sudden developments. Unfortunately, we can face the consequences we never want. Thanks to these devices, we will minimise such undesirable consequences when we provide instant information to road users. By means of intelligent transport systems, we will maximise safety on the roads while preventing unnecessary time and material losses."