Digital transformation revamps expressway management and safety

Vietnam's Expressway Development and the Path to Smart Management

The Vietnam Road Administration (VRA) recently held a conference on November 10, bringing together experts and stakeholders to discuss international experiences in expressway management and operations. The event focused on how Vietnam can enhance its expressway network to meet modern demands while ensuring safety, intelligence, and sustainability.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Tung, rector of the University of Construction, opened the conference by highlighting the rapid development of Vietnam’s transport infrastructure, particularly the expressway network. He mentioned that by the end of 2025, the expressway network is expected to reach nearly 3,000km, with a target of 5,000km by 2030. This growth underscores the need for expressway management systems that align with the principles of 'safety - intelligence - sustainability'.

“This conference supports the completion of mechanisms, standards, and operational organisational models, guiding the development of a safe, smart, and sustainable expressway system that meets the requirements of modernizing the transport industry,” said Tung.

Challenges in Expressway Management

According to VRA, the expressway system has significantly reduced the burden on national highways, shortened travel times, and lowered logistics costs. However, with an average annual traffic growth rate of 15-18%, and in some areas exceeding 30%, new challenges have emerged in operations, traffic organisation, and safety assurance.

Local congestion often occurs at major urban entrances, toll stations, and intersections with national highways. Additionally, the deployment of intelligent transport systems (ITS) has not kept pace with the growing traffic demand.

Nguyen Tien Hong, deputy head of the Traffic Management and Organisation Department under the VRA, explained that the expressway network is transitioning from route-based to network-based management, from manual monitoring to digital operations, and from isolated solutions to integrated systems linking ITS, key performance indicators, safety, and capacity.

“This transition requires a unified institutional framework, shared technical infrastructure, and a central data platform to enable coordinated, efficient, and sustainable expressway management for the 2026–2035 period,” he added.

Managing Diverse Infrastructure

Nguyen Hoai Thanh, deputy head of VRA, acknowledged that expressways in Vietnam have been developed over multiple periods with varying scales and technologies. This diversity presents significant challenges in management, operation, and maintenance.

“To move forward, Vietnam needs to access new technology to operate the expressway system synchronously with the goal of safety, intelligence, efficiency, and sustainability,” he said.

Advancing Smart Expressway Management

To improve smart expressway management, the VRA is developing a shared data platform that integrates information from management centres, toll stations, surveillance cameras, and sensors. This system enhances monitoring, incident detection, and decision-making accuracy and speed.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Nga from the University of Transport Technology highlighted that traffic management and safety must now shift from condition-based maintenance to performance-based management. This approach is reflected in global policy frameworks such as those from PIARC, OECD/ITF, JICA, FHWA, and leading models in South Korea, Japan, the United States, and Europe.

Sustainability and Long-Term Responsibility

Experts at the event also emphasized that expressway sustainability must align with efficient investment. Maintenance should be considered part of the project life cycle, with management units and investors bearing long-term responsibility for quality and operational performance.