Ministry of Public Works and Transport

Summary Report

Lao PDR

Verification Survey with the Private Sector for

Disseminating Japanese Technologies

for New Location Information System and

Traffic Observation System for Urban

Transport Improvement in Vientiane City

October 2016

Japan International Cooperation Agency

Japan Research Institute for Social Systems Co., Ltd.

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1. BACKGROUND

In Vientiane City, the Capital of Lao PDR, the number of vehicle and motorcycle has been

increasing with the growth of the population and the household income due to the recent economic

development. That has been aggravating traffic congestion within the city every year. Therefore,

mitigation of the traffic congestion by shifting transport means from private vehicles to public ones,

public buses for example, becomes an urgent issue for the sustainable development of the City.

Under such circumstances, Vientiane City has adopted a policy to promote bus use and to improve

city roads. The City has also experimentally undertaken traffic management measures such as

improvement of traffic signals at major intersections and introduction of one-way traffic control on

major roads. However, with the lack of a system to monitor traffic flow in the City and adequate

expertise for the traffic control, positive impacts derived from the above measures are limited

despite efforts made by the City’s transport officials.

2. OUTLINE OF THE PILOT SURVEY FOR DISSEMINATING SME’S TECHNOLOGIES

(1) Purpose

The purpose of this Survey is to verify effectiveness and usefulness of the proposed following

systems for efficient bus operation and promotion of public transport: (i) Public Bus Location

Information System with low-cost smartphones, and (ii) Traffic Observation System with Wi-Fi

packet sensors. The main future of the systems that enable to achieve the aim is the utilization of

data collected from the two systems (i) to promote streamline and efficiency in bus operation and

sustainable traffic control, and (ii) to improve accessibility of public bus users. Eventually, the

Survey aims to ensure reduction of the traffic congestion and increase of the bus uses. The network

structure of the proposed system is shown in Figure-1.

(2) Activities

The Survey consists of the following three main activities and sub-activities attached to the main

activities:

Activity 1: Introduction and operation of proposed products

1-1 To set a kick-off meeting and to create a steering committee

1-2 To survey relevant laws and regulations and to discuss requirements for basic design

1-3 To adapt the system for local use and conditions

1-4 To install the system, adapt and conduct test-run

1-5 To adjust the system based on results

1-6 To conduct full operation of the adjusted system

Activity 2: Establishment of a system for sustainable traffic control

2-1 To develop local experts for operation and maintenance (O&M) of the product hardware

2-2 To establish application methods for the road traffic information allowing use for efficient bus

operation with VCSBE

2-3 To establish application methods for road traffic information for use in developing appropriate

traffic control systems in the urban areas of the city

2-4 Training in Japan

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Activity 3: Market promotion

3-1 To deliver information on traffic congestion to road users and to promote its use

3-2 To conduct risk analysis relating to the above activities

3-3 To conduct promotion seminars

3-4 To propose measures to improve future urban traffic in Vientiane

3-5 Draw up JRISS business expansion model in Southeast Asia

Figure 1 Network Structure of the Proposed System

(3) Information of Product/ Technology to be Provided

1) Bus Location System with Smartphone

This system is composed of (i) installation of a

conventional smartphone on the public buses, and (ii)

collection of data including the bus location and travel

speed in real-time. Bus operation managers can give

adequate on-time operation instructions to drivers by

using the bus location information; the bus location

Image of Bus Location Display

Server System

Data Base Server

WEBServer

Fire Wall

Traffic Police

Main Monitor (2Display)

Public Bus Manager

Bus Directive

Sensor Sensor Sensor Sensor Sensor

Wi-Fi Packet Sensor

Bus Location System

Citizens , Travelers

Internet

Sub Monitor (2Display)

Main Monitor (2Display) Sub Monitor (2Display)

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information is also to be shared with bus passengers by their smartphone.

2) Traffic Observation System using Wi-Fi Packet Sensor

Wi-Fi packet sensors (the proposed products) installed in police boxes collect information of

travel movement of bus passengers through smartphones of passengers in the bus. Travel time

and travel speed between the police boxes could be calculated from the collected data. Also, it

is possible to estimate the total amount of passenger movements (person-trips) on each road

location between police boxes. Analysis reports can be delivered to the public and traffic

operation management agencies through the internet.

Sensor and Image of Road Traffic Information Display

(4) Counterpart Organization

The following organizations are counterpart organizations of the Survey.

Department of Transport, Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT/ DOT)

Vientiane Capital

Vientiane Capital State Bus Enterprise (VCSBE)

Ministry of Public Security

Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications

(5) Target Area and Beneficiaries

A target area is the urban area of Vientiane Capital in Lao PDR and expected beneficiaries are the

country’s population numbering approximately 7 million.

(6) Duration

The Survey period is for 18 months from the day of the signing of the contract between Japan

Research Institute for Social Systems (JRISS) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The exact duration period is shown in the Implementation Plan that shall be presented to MPWT at

the beginning of the Survey. Implementation System.

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(7) Implementation System

Katahira & Engineers International

Survey Team:Japan Research Institute for Social Research (JRISS)

Team Leader

Junji NISHIDA

Progress Management

Kaori OTA

System Development

Tetsuro MORIMOTO

Public Transport Plan

Takashi ICHIOKA

Chief Advisor

Ai MISHIMA

Advisor

Toshinori TODA

Traffic Analysis

Ken NISHINO

Technical Advisor

Tsuneo JOZEN

Professor of Osaka Electro-communication University

System Development & Installation

Ryuichi YOSHIDAKARN

System Development & Installation

Hiroaki ASAO

Data Analysis

Midori MATSUBA

Gurin

Data Analysis

Shota SHIRAHAMA

Yobel System

Transport Analysis

Fumiko TUJIDO

Counterpart

Ministry of Public Works & Transport（MPWT）

Counterpart

Vientiane City（VC）

VCSBE

Vientiane City Traffic Police

Ministry of Interior(Traffic Police)

Ministry of Information(Traffic Information)

Lao Telecom and Other Companies

Local Internet Provider

National University of LaoFaculty of Engineering

JICA Laos Office

Transport System Develp’t

Kunihiro SAKAMOTO

Public Transport Advisor

Tsutomu DOI

Bus Operation Advisor

Hiroyuki MATSUMOTO

Public Transport Management Advisor

Tomonori YOKOE

ICT Advisor

Shinji SHIMOJOITS Advisor

Tomoyuki ADACHI

ICT Advisor

ToshifumiMATSUMOTO

Osaka University Minato Tourism Bus Osaka Metro Service Osaka University W-NEXCO T&Y Matumoto Corp.

Advisory Group

Advisor

Takao MITSUISHI

-Technical Advice- Data Analysis

(Technical Advice)

- System Development & Installation

KARN

- Pre-Study/Post Evaluation - Transport Analysis

City Planning Mobility Technology Institute

Ai MISHIMA: Chief Advisor

・Coordination with Counterpart・Study on Local Laws & Other Assistance

Toshinori TODA: AdvisorKen NISHINO: Transport AnalysisTakao MITSUISHI: Advisor

Steering Committee

3. ACHIEVEMENT OF THE SURVEY

(1) Outputs and Outcomes of the Survey

The Survey team carried out the activities duly with cooperation from the Laotian counterparts and

JICA. See the following table for the completed activities. The Survey team installed the

monitoring system at Bus Operation Management Division of VCSBE, the traffic police, and

MPWT to see the outputs. Consequently, the following outputs were produced.

▪ The number of the public bus users was increased according to the interview survey to the bus

drivers and users.

▪ The system contributed to improving urban traffic management with on-time data collected

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through the installed devices, which are recognized as urgent issues in the City.

▪ Thus, the system contributed to alleviate traffic congestion and promote the public bus use.

In addition, through a series of discussion with MPWT, the Survey team recognized the

applicability of (i) Bus Location System for long distance bus operation and vehicle management

and (ii) Wi-Fi packet sensor to analyze customer behaviors for developing new opportunity with

private companies.

Table 1 Completed Survey Activities

Activity 1: Introduction and operation of proposed products

1-1 To set a kick-off meeting and to create a steering committee

- Total three Steering Committee Meetings were attended by MPWT, Vientiane Capital, VCSBE,

and Ministry of Public Security; May 2015, August 2015, June 2016 respectively.

1-2 To survey relevant laws and regulations and to discuss requirements for basic design

- The Survey team identified necessary permission and authorization to install the device.

- The team obtained permission from Ministry of Security to install the Wi-Fi packet sensor.

1-3 To adapt the system for local use and conditions

- The Survey team added bus fare by bus route and bus stop location into the display of the Bus

Location System.

- As for the localization, the device was simplified incorporating local conditions, and antitheft,

heating avoidance, and filtering measures were added to the Traffic Observation System.

1-4 To install the system, adapt and conduct test-run

- The following system was installed and tested respectively

▪ The Bus Location System: 55 buses

▪ The Wi-Fi packet sensor for Traffic Observation System: 26 police boxes, Bus Operation

Management Office of VCSBE, VCSBE Director Office, DPWT, and Phonsavath School.

1-5 To adjust the system based on results

- Bus Location System: bus speed and traffic information were readjusted to make the display

conversion possible.

- Telecommunication cost was reduced substantially by showing the name of internet provider, Lao

Telecom and its company logo on the website of the system, and carrying its poster on the bus.

1-6 To conduct full operation of the adjusted system

- The Survey team installed the Wi-Fi packet sensors at seven intersection points located in the

center of the City.

- Since then, the Bus Location System has been displaying the location of busses on the Web site to

enhance the use of the public bus.

Activity 2: Establishment of a system for sustainable traffic control

2-1 To develop local experts for operation and maintenance (O&M) of the product hardware

- The Survey team conducted following seminar/workshop for local experts:

▪ Seminar on the use and management of the Wi-Fi packet sensor to VCBSE officers. The

Survey team commenced the operation of the Bus Location System After this seminar.

▪ Workshop “Idea Son ”to National University of Laos (NUOL) students aiming to advocate

open data use on Internet of Things (IoT) and transport at NUOL,

▪ Symposium targeting local IT companies on management technology

2-2 To establish application methods for the road traffic information allowing use for efficient bus

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operation with VCSBE

- The Survey team conducted training workshop to use the Bus Location System for officers at Bus

Operation Division of VCSBE.

- The System is currently utilized in the following fields of the public bus operation; mitigation of

the delay, speed control, and provision of the bus operation information to the bus users

2-3 To establish application methods for road traffic information for use in developing appropriate traffic

control systems in the urban areas of the city

- The Survey team conducted a workshop for the traffic police on the Traffic Observation System for

using the system for the traffic management in the city. Then, sections at MPWT and DPWT

relevant to the road traffic management has commenced operation of the Traffic Observation

System to monitor the traffic congestion and the bus operation.

- Later on, it was confirmed that the system was utilized in their work; to identify the congested road

sections, and to determine the dispatch traffic police to the sections, for example.

2-4 Training in Japan

- Training was conducted in May 2016 inviting two VCSBE officers to learn bus operation

management and bus use promotion measure in Japan.

Activity 3: Market promotion

3-1 To deliver information on traffic congestion to road users and to promote its use

- The Survey Team started to provide bus location and road congestion information through an

internet website and promoted the use of the service by distributing free pocket tissue and

newspaper article. After the introduction, the number of the system user reached 15,000. Among

these, 88% of the users are frequent users.

- The Survey Team put up posters on the Bus Location System in the VCSBE buses, at bus terminals

and tourism spots, and updated the Bus Location System access site address on Ministry of

Tourism HP.

- The Survey Team developed a website to provide the collected data and the environment for the

data utilization at NUOL and a local IT Company.

3-2 To conduct risk analysis relating to the above activities

The following risks were identified and examined during the Survey

▪ Risk-1: Risk on change in MAC address of smartphones

Current MAC address of smartphone may not be detected by proposed devices in the future

due to the introduction of new technologies or legal regulations.

▪ Risk-2: Risk on growing completion

Numerous foreign IT companies such as Google, Apple, and TomTom are eyeing traffic

observation business using Probe IT. There might be a risk that completion with such giant

IT firms will be more intensified in the future.

▪ Risk-3: Country risk

The country risk of the Survey was considered as marginal due to the relatively small

amount of investment and short period Survey period.

▪ Risk-4: Risk on legal restrictions on privacy protection

The Survey collects data from smartphones of bus passengers, information emitted from a

smartphone of individual shall be treated strictly to protect the privacy of the passengers.

Relevant laws and regulations may restrict data collection survey.

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3-3 To conduct promotion seminars

- The survey team conducted seminar on the Bus Location System at NUOL, Phomsavath

School and Lao-Viet High school.

3-4 To propose measures to improve future urban traffic in Vientiane

- The survey team conducted seminars and symposium to suggest the way to utilize the system for

traffic measure consideration.

- An ADB’s Laos residential officer expressed his opinion that the JRISS system is capable for

future BRT system and possibility to apply to ADB’s project.

- MPWT also expressed their intention to utilize the system for intercity bus operation observation.

JRISS and MPWT will continue negotiation even after the survey.

3-5 Draw up JRISS business expansion model in Southeast Asia

- After meeting with four local IT companies for possible business cooperation, JRISS selected Lao

IT Dev Co., Ltd. to establish technical cooperation for the development of smartphone applications

and to expand its business in Laos.

- JRISS introduced the system to Beer Lao Company and an electric state enterprise if the system

could be applied as vehicle observation tool. The companies expressed interests in installing the

system and requested JRISS to submit a proposed scheme for further discussion.

- JRISS visited a bus state enterprise in Phnom Penh, Cambodia to introduce the system. Although

the enterprise showed the interest over the system, it had to consider the own budget. JRISS and the

enterprise will continue the discussion for the system installation.

(2) Self-reliant and Continual Activities to be Conducted by Counterpart Organization

The Laotian counterpart will maintain the installed systems and consider further use of the system

to improve traffic condition including both roads and public transport.

4. FUTURE PROSPECTS

(1) Impact and Effect on the Concerned Development Issues through Business Development of

the Product/ Technology in the Surveyed Country

The result of the Survey shows that the Bus Location System and the Traffic Observation System

can contribute to improving the public bus service and the management of the public bus operation

of VCSBE. Particularly, JRISS acknowledges the possibility of its business expansion in Laos and

will pursue two business expansion models; (i) with public entities and (ii) with private companies.

1) For Public Entities

The following areas seems having high potential in applying the system for transport planning

and urban planning; collection of road traffic observation data, observation of targeted vehicle

movement, observation of road traffic situation. JRISS will discuss with MPWT on the bus

operation observation system development through a suitable channel.

2) With Private Companies

There are several areas in which the proposed products (the Bus Location System and the

Traffic Observation System) may have greater pontential; bus navigation system, observation

system for company vehicle operation, digital signage advertisement system combined with

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Bus Location System. New application and distrubusion mechanims of the system can be

developed in cooperation with local IT companies.

JRISS will submit concept paper of logistic vehicle operation observation service to Beer Lao

Co., Ltd. and Electricite du Laos. JRISS agreed business tie-up with a local IT company called

Lao IT Development Co., Ltd to develop distribution machanism of the system and new

applications. JRISS experimentally installed a Wi-Fi packet sensor to ITECC company to

collect and analyze visitors’ movement at the complex to utilize the data for formulation of

thier marketing strategy, and will discuss future system utilization business setup.

(2) Lessons Learned and Recommendation through the Survey

The followings could be recommended to the Laotian counterpart entities.

1) Capacity development of local experts

For effective and advanced use of the system, the system data analysis and countermeasure

setting for example, it is required to expand capacity development of officers and specialists in

Laos and to provide institutional support for the system utilization.

2) Measures against pilferages and power outages

Robbery and cutting off the electric cable were occurred at police box in the City. Electricite

du Laos has been monopolizing construction works of the electric service wire, which takes

time from the application of recovery construction to the completion of the construction.

Therefore, selection of location for the system installation should be carefully considered.

It is necessary to take a countermeasure for the protection system of the equipment. The

Survey team put on aging effect on the the surface of the electric cable to prevent theft and

damage. After taking the measure, the robbery and destruction of the electric equipment were

almost avoided.

Frequency of blackout in Vientiane is quite high due to thunderbolt and poor electric

construction, and it takes time for recovery. Therefore, the Survey Team set up the system

center server in Japan to stabilize the system operation.

Measure for electric cable protection from

robbery by aging effect

Disconnection of electric cable at traffic

police

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ATTACHMENT: OUTLINE OF THE SURVEY

Social experiment is under going in

cooperation with university and bus

company of West side of Japan.

Formulate business plan by analyzing

operation and maintenance cost, and issue

for business development.

Commencement of research for business

expansion to Laos, Viet Nam, Indonesia and

other south east countries.

Realization of effective bus operation plan.

Establishment of sustainable traffic

management and control system by using

data obtained form the applied system.

Expected

Outputs and Outcomes of the Survey

Enhancement of public transportation

use in urban area which have high

population and industry accumulation.

Mitigation of traffic congestion

which is caused by car number

increase.

Formulation of traffic planning and

urban planning based on accrete data.

Concerned Development Issues

in Laos

Verification Survey with the Private Sector for Disseminating Japanese Technologies

for New Location Information System and Traffic Observation System for Urban Transport Improvement in Vientiane City

Japan Research Institute for Social Systems Co., Ltd.

Impact on the Concerned

Development Issues in Laos

Implemented Activities in the

Survey

Real time bus operation location data

collection provision by installing the

GPS device .

Traffic flow monitoring by installing

traffic monitoring system on bus

routes.

Provision of traffic congestion

information to road user through

smart phone.

Suggest a plan for bus effective

operation and urban traffic control to

bus enterprise and transport policy

decision makers.

Proposed

Products/Technologies

①Bus location system by using

smart phone GPS system

Bus location system by using

smart phone

Reduce primary cost and

operation cost.

②Traffic monitoring system by

using Wi-Fi packet sensor

Sensors Installed at intersections

monitor Wi-fi packets output

from smartphones

Based of the accumulated data,

traffic flow will be analyzed.

Future Plan

Current Situation

Laos

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Progress Schedule

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1-1. To set a kick-off meeting and to create a steering committee.

1-2. To survey relevant laws and regulations and to discuss

requirements for basic design.

1-3. To adapt the system for local use and conditions

1-4. To install the system, adapt and conduct test-run.

1-5. To adjust the system based on results.

1-6. To conduct full operation of the adjusted system.

2-1 To develop local experts for operation and maintenance (O&M) of

the product hardware.

2-2 To establish application methods for the road traffic information

allowing use for efficient bus operation with VCSBE.

2-3 To establish application methods for road traffic information for

use in developing appropriate traffic control systems in the urban areas

of the city.

2-4 Training in Japan.

3-1 To deliver information on traffic congestion to road users and to

promote its use.

3-2 To conduct risk analysis relating to the above activities.

3-3 To conduct promotion seminars.

3-4 To propose measures to improve future urban traffic in Vientiane.

3-5 Draw up JRISS busness expantion model in Southeast Asia.

Work in Japan (Actual）　　　　　　　Work in Laos (Actual）

Activity2015 2016

Activity 1. Introduction and operation of proposed products

Draw up report.

Activity 2: Establishment of a system of sustainable traffic control

Activity 3. Market Promotion

The 1 st SC

Work in Japan Test in Laos Test Operation and adjustment

Experimental InstallationTest at Office Experimental Operation / Monitoring

Final Installation

Full operation start / Presentation

Monitoring

Draw up mannual Training / Technology Trasnfer

Draw up mannual

Draw up mannual

Bus location provision site preparation/ dissemination to concerning organisation・

Dissemination to public

Dissemination seminer Dissemination seminor

Final adjustment

Preparation

Preparation Suggestion

Draw up D/FR Draw up FRWork Progress Report （The 1 st）▲ Work Progress Report （The 2nd）▲

Mnitoring Survey

The survey comp;etion day: 10th October

Training in Japan

Pre Bus location system provision

The 3rd SCThe 2nd SC

Draw up mannual

Preparation

Preparation Survey

Training / Technology Trasnfer

Draw up mannual Training / Technology Trasnfer

Introduction

Pre Bus location system provision