Premier Lin Chuan said today that smart transportation is an important element of President Tsai Ing-wen's policy agenda, and that related program promotions and implementation results should be linked to domestic industries, driving them to develop software and upgrade technology while using the resulting products to penetrate global markets and expand exports.
Following a briefing by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) on smart transportation promotion programs, the premier directed the Ministry to follow established timetables, regularly review and measure performance indicators to determine whether allocated funds are yielding the expected results, and revise plans on a rolling basis as needed.
Based on Taiwan's advantages in information and communications technology, the MOTC has planned to promote smart transportation systems development programs to solve several major domestic transportation problems including losses due to traffic accidents, inconvenient transportation in remote areas, overloaded traffic arteries and underutilized public transportation. These programs include plans to promote smart, safe transportation; improve congestion on main traffic arteries; offer more convenient transportation in remote areas; promote shared, integrated transportation resources; develop internet of things applications for vehicles; and promote smart transportation technology and fundamental research and development.
By 2020, smart transportation systems programs are expected to reduce traffic jams by 25 percent; lower the accident rate for scooters and motor vehicles by 20 percent; increase public transportation utilization rates by 10 percent; make public transportation accessible to 20 percent of remote areas; and generate a production value of NT$30 billion (US$9.45 billion) for related industries.
The MOTC said a NT$546 million (US$17.20 million) budget has been earmarked in 2017 for these programs, with a total budget of NT$3 billion to be allocated over the next four years. Other specific goals include incorporating timely updates on tour buses into the existing coach information system to keep track of tour bus safety; establishing a safe, shared, green-energy smart scooter system; and subsidizing the installation of vision enhancement cameras on large motor vehicles. The ministry hopes that through cooperation between the central and local governments, these programs will support value-added innovations for various industries, integrate facilities and resources to improve the overall transportation infrastructure, and provide the public with smart transportation.