Export of 'intelligent' traffic system to Columbia imminent: KOTRA

SEOUL, Sept. 20 (Yonhap) -- The export of an indigenously developed "intelligent"
traffic control system to Columbia is imminent, a state-run trade promotion
agency said Sunday.
The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) said an eight-person fact
finding team from the South American country is expected to arrive Monday to
carry out last minute on-site inspections of the comprehensive traffic control
network.
The project is worth more than US$100 million and could help local companies win
other deals in the region. The agreement calls for the system to be installed in
12 cities with populations of between 250,000-500,000 to help facilitate a more
efficient flow of vehicles.
Columbia has been looking at various systems to cope with its chronic traffic
congestion, which has been cited for raising overall social and logistics costs.
The system involves the linking of cameras and various sensors with a centralized
data processing system that can regulate traffic signals and provide related
information to drivers.
The country had sent another team of experts in June to examine the South Korean
system while in use.
The Ministry of Knowledge Economy, as well as the transportation and foreign
ministries and state-run companies like the Korea Highway Corp., KOTRA and the
Korea Export Insurance Corp. are working with private companies to win the
Columbia deal.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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