On September 29th, Qingdao Hisense TransTech Co., Ltd. officially signed an agreement with the Ministry of Transport and Public Works of Laos. The signing ceremony was attended by the Minister of Transport and Public Works of Laos, Ampasong Mengmani, the Mayor of Vientiane City, Assapon Siphandone, and Mu Sangang, General Manager of Hisense TransTech’s International Business Division. 

According to the agreement, Hisense will construct the first smart and modern Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in the Laotian capital, Vientiane, which aims to enhance Vientiane’s urban transportation network, improve the public commuting experience for local residents, and contribute to the upgrading of public transportation in Laos. It also aspires to be a shining example of smart transportation within the framework of the “Belt and Road” initiative.

The sustainable urban transportation project in Vientiane is set to be completed in 14 months. It will involve the establishment of an Integrated Transportation System (ITS) Control Center, ITS platforms at stations, and ITS for vehicles. 

This system will provide real-time, accurate, and efficient traffic management and control, fostering a standardized system for passenger services that includes “route standards, operation standards, station standards, maintenance standards, and vehicle standards”. Bilingual announcements, following English and Laotian translation standards, will be implemented to upgrade passenger services. This will make public transportation more standardized, regulated, and systematic. Once completed, citizens will have access to precise and convenient navigation services via information displays at stations and on vehicles. They will easily find information about route stops, estimated arrival times for the next bus, fares, and occupancy levels, making public transportation more comfortable, convenient, safe, accessible, and affordable.

For enterprises, this system allows real-time monitoring, remote control, and intelligent scheduling of buses. The Integrated Design of BRT, which involves “Vehicle-Depot-Station-Route”, offers significant advantages such as efficient scheduling, quick boarding and alighting, safety, and user-friendly services. It also helps standardize driver behavior, preventing issues like driver fatigue and speeding, thereby elevating the quality of operations and improving efficiency in scheduling and service delivery.

With the successful bid for the Vientiane Sustainable Urban Transportation Project, Hisense Smart Transportation is heralding its entry into the Southeast Asian market. Committed to its mission of “making every project a showcase and a foundation, and thoroughly implementing each project”, Hisense aims to transform the Sustainable Urban Transportation project of Vientiane into a regional benchmark within Southeast Asia. This initiative positions Hisense as a strong pivot for market entry in Southeast Asia and creates another remarkable case study of smart transportation within the “Belt and Road” framework.