Ho Chi Minh City Smart Traffic Management Solution

The challenge

Ho Chi Minh City, with a population of more than 8 million people, around 340,000 cars and 3.5 million motorcycles, is internationally known for its dense and often chaotic traffic conditions. The continuous growth in vehicle numbers has led to severe congestion, gridlock, and increasing air pollution.

The rising traffic demand has put strong pressure on the city’s infrastructure and mobility systems. In response, the government has initiated plans to reduce the number of motorcycles and address both congestion and environmental challenges. However, managing such a complex and dynamic traffic environment requires advanced tools that allow operators to monitor, coordinate, and control traffic systems efficiently and in real time.

The process

To address these challenges, SWARCO collaborated with its local partner FPT Information System to design and implement an integrated smart traffic management solution for the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transportation (DoT).

At the core of the project was the deployment of the OMNIA ITS integration platform with a web-based graphical user interface, enabling operators to manage and monitor field equipment easily and effectively. Central and intersection-level UTOPIA Urban Traffic Control (UTC) software modules were implemented at 239 intersections to apply the UTOPIA plan selection control strategy.

The system was further enhanced with EVR/VIP priority functionality, allowing special vehicles to receive green light priority along predefined routes when manually triggered. SWARCO ITC-2 traffic controllers were installed to ensure reliable local control at intersections.

Additionally, a VMS management software module was integrated to control three LED variable message signs. These signs provide real-time information about traffic conditions, accidents, weather, alternative routes, traffic regulations, and public information campaigns.

The solution also included the integration of a CCTV traffic surveillance system with 64 cameras for centralized video management. A Strategy Manager was implemented to coordinate ITS applications strategically and respond to detected events or operator input. Supporting modules such as traffic event management software and a Traffic Supervisor system were deployed to collect, merge, harmonize, and analyze traffic data based on a traffic model for real-time monitoring and visualization.

The solution

The implemented smart traffic management system enables Ho Chi Minh City to centrally manage, monitor, and control its traffic infrastructure through a unified and user-friendly web interface.

By integrating adaptive traffic control at 239 intersections, priority systems for special vehicles, dynamic information via variable message signs, real-time CCTV monitoring, and coordinated event management, the city now benefits from improved traffic harmonization and more efficient mobility management.

The Strategy Manager ensures coordinated responses to incidents and evolving traffic conditions, while the Traffic Supervisor provides comprehensive, model-based monitoring of the current traffic situation.

Through this fully integrated ITS ecosystem, Ho Chi Minh City has strengthened its ability to respond to congestion, improve traffic flow, and support long-term goals of reducing pollution and enhancing urban mobility.