Partner News: Kapsch to install toll systems for New Zealand and Chile

Date: 19 October 2007

ERTICO Partner wins bids in New Zealand and Chile to install fully electronic toll collection systems.

ERTICO – ITS Europe Partner Kapsch TrafficCom will be providing New Zealand’s first fully electronic toll collection system. Transit New Zealand recently decided in favour of a modern multi-lane free-flow system from Kapsch. The order for this system is valued at 10.7 million euros. The “green island” will be implementing traffic telematics solutions from Austria along with its neighbour Australia. Australia has been a “showcase country” for fully electronic toll systems for large metropolitan areas for several years now.

“New Zealand is our link between Australia and South America – Kapsch has been successful with traffic telematics solutions in both regions for many years. Now, New Zealand will be implementing one of our systems,” explains Erwin Toplak, board of directors Kapsch TrafficCom AG. The operator Transit New Zealand has contracted Kapsch to design, set up and maintain New Zealand’s first fully automatic toll collection system. More specifically, it will consist of a multi-lane free-flow toll system on the Auckland SH1 Northern Motorway Extension. Drivers will no longer have to slow down to pay the toll – the toll system will recognise vehicles automatically. This will help to minimise traffic jams, needless emissions as well as accidents.

“We have chosen the leading market provider and are certain that Kapsch TrafficCom has the right expertise for our project. The significance of this new electronic toll collection system for us means that a central system can now detect, collect and manage all toll charges. “This will enable us to be more cost-effective and thus it will be less expensive for vehicle operators,” explains Brent Maguire, toll system manager from Transit New Zealand.

Kapsch TrafficCom receives order for fifth toll system in Chile
Kapsch TrafficCom won its fifth order for a toll system in Chile. Kapsch TrafficCom implemented a fully electronic toll collection system for the largest traffic networks in and around Santiago de Chile a few years ago.

“South America has become one of our strongest growth markets over the last few years. After four previous orders in Chile, successful projects in Brazil and Mexico, we are now poised for another success in Chile,” explains Erwin Toplak, board of directors Kapsch TrafficCom AG. “We have expanded our sales activities in the South American market and also strengthened our position there due to the acquisition of DPS Automation S.A. the previous year.”

For the current project, Kapsch was awarded the contract by Sociedad Concesionaria Túnel San Cristóbal S.A. (a joint venture between the companies Hochtief and Dragados) for the development, installation and turnkey delivery of a fully electronic toll collection system in Chile. The order for the implementation, service and maintenance of the toll system with two stations has an order volume of 1.4 million euros. System installation is scheduled to be complete by the end of February 2008.

For further information, please contact Brigitte Herdlicka at Tel: +43 (0) 50 811 2705 or e-mail: brigitte.herdlicka@kapsch.net