Page 60 - TT Magazine Aug-Sep 2018

MAKING A POINT

The Technologies that operate highways

- and the leaders that run the businesses

Mayank Manish, Founder & Executive
Director, OpEzee feels that there is
need to have an effective forum for the

country’s solution providers

ne would have seen various the “Solution Providers for Infrastructure For that is what the group has come out
initiatives across multiple in India” in August in Delhi. The group with. With some of the most important
sectors where associations consisted of 30+ CXOs who were hopeful players agreeing to jointly address issues
are formed with the intent of making a huge difference in TMS, and represent them to the authorities I
Oof contributing to the ETC, WIM and other technologies that think we are looking at a very positive
industry as a whole. Somehow due to the run Indian roads & highways. I am pretty outcome in the days to come!
nature of roads and highways – this has sure we will take along the others as Future State: The second part of
not been successful so far. As a result – we progress in this journey. The group the discussion revolved around future
there is widespread belief that something discussed the “Current State” and “Future possibilities. It was interesting to note
must be done so that leadership of service Possibilities” for these technologies in that many leaders see the need to
and solution providers contributes more India. evolve innovative concepts such as free-
to the technologies and the standards Current State: Interestingly - it did flow tolling, automations, use of smart
and specifications which drive the tolls not take time for the group to discuss technologies. What came out perhaps
and highways of India. and agree that challenges do exist for the first time were futuristic concepts
I have been noticing the lack of a in the industry today. We discussed such as AI, ML and Big Data and Analytics
forward-thinking forum for the entire thread-bare - the issues such as lack of playing an important role in the future. If
set of solution providers for this industry specifications & standards, improper one thought that these fancy terms were
in India. There must be at least 80-100 pricing conditions and terms, the short- only for the big players to think of - give
Solution Providers (if not more) that sightedness in implementing some large way! The future software and hardware
power the technologies on highways and programs and the need to have quality are going to be very different and there is
plazas in the country. There must be at solutions deployed by the clients. Indeed a dynamic set of industry leaders working
least 300-400 OEMs who support the eco an interesting insight was that while we within their companies to get India there.
system. And then there are the 400-500 enjoy blaming solution providers/OEMs R&D and Innovation has not so far been
clients who buy these solutions and fund/ for the decreasing costs (and hence a trend that the governments in India
operate/manage the roads and highways. quality) of solutions - the fact is that a very have seriously invested in - specific to this
Not to forget the very large NHAI (National important role is played by the clients and sector. Perhaps with the collective efforts
Highways Authority of India) that steers somewhere - even the authorities. But the of the group - we are likely to see at least
the highway development program in discussion thankfully was not just critical some focus on this also.
India. Roads, State & National Highways of the situation. It was heartening to While the focus area of this initiative is
will always play an important part in the see a positive mood to find a solution to toll systems, highway traffic management
economy of the country. The big question common challenges and issues. This may system and weigh in motion systems
has been - do our solution providers be small considering the large size of the - these companies provide a whole lot
understand the impact that they make? country - but is inspirational as the group of other solutions in varied areas. One
And is it fair that the companies continue agreed to work together to list down the can see the hope and desire to make
to work in silos without taking stock of the challenges, propose possible solutions a positive impact to the industry and
eco system that they provide for? and make a joint representation to the community - at least from most players
We organised the first ever meeting of clients or authorities as the need may be. in the system!

60 August-September ’18 / TrafficInfraTech www.trafficinfratech-com-500653.hostingersite.com