Inadequacies in management and exploitation of the highway system

Although the expressway system is a valuable infrastructure asset, its management and exploitation still have many shortcomings. Therefore, how to unify the direction of expressway management and exploitation in a modern, sustainable direction, suitable to the development requirements in the new period is the content raised at the Workshop "Sharing experiences, improving the quality of expressway management and exploitation" organized by the Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) on October 14.

According to Mr. Le Hong Diep, Head of the Traffic Organization Management Department (Vietnam Road Administration), the putting into operation of 3,000 km of expressway by the end of this year demonstrates the State's great attention and investment in traffic infrastructure. With a very large investment rate, the expressway system is a valuable infrastructure asset, but management and exploitation still have many shortcomings.

“Currently, the organization of highway exploitation management is not reasonable, the infrastructure is not synchronous and modern. Equipment for highway exploitation management is still lacking…”, said the Head of the Traffic Organization Management Department.

Statistics of more than 2,200 km of highways in operation and use include investment-divergent sections, and two-lane sections without hard median strips; using emergency stopping strips instead of continuous emergency lanes; night lighting, limited visibility... when vehicles on the highway have problems, especially at night; or vehicles stop and park, occupying the roadway. Along with that, remote warnings according to regulations are not fully and seriously implemented, making it easy for traffic accidents to occur.

The Head of the Traffic Organization Management Department said that it is necessary to improve investment, construction and operation management of expressway projects, from policy mechanisms to resources and implementation organization. Accordingly, review and complete policies and regulations related to construction investment to create more favorable conditions for investors and businesses. At the same time, there needs to be close coordination between state management agencies in promulgating and implementing investment policies.

State management agencies also research and complete regulations, standards and norms related to the management and operation of works, ensuring consistency and efficiency. At the same time, there is a mechanism for coordination and information sharing between units managing and operating works.

Experts also emphasized the need to increase the application of technology and automation in the management of construction works to improve efficiency. ITS, ETC, and WIM systems are deployed but mainly at the individual route level, not yet connected to a centralized operating network. Operational data has not been standardized and fully exploited, and there is a lack of sharing mechanisms between units, leading to low monitoring and forecasting efficiency.

On the side of Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC), General Director Pham Hong Quang assessed that the limitations in highway management and exploitation are not only in road infrastructure and vehicles but also in the awareness of traffic participants.

“The above limitations are not only technical but also related to institutions, finance, technology, organization and social awareness. These are factors that are organically related to each other: lack of synchronization in regulations and financial mechanisms will reduce organizational efficiency; technology application without human resource training will be difficult to promote effectiveness; low social awareness will increase the burden on the entire exploitation management system,” said the General Director of VEC.

VEC proposes that highway management and exploitation should be shaped as a professional, modern and sustainable industry, closely linked to the socio -economic development strategy. Accordingly, a separate set of technical standards for highways should be issued, including: high-speed road surface maintenance procedures, ITS safety requirements, control center standards, fire prevention and fighting systems, rescue and relief systems, etc.

Highway management and exploitation are of great importance, not only ensuring safety and smoothness for people and vehicles, but also determining investment efficiency, project life and the civilized and modern image of the national transport infrastructure system. Good management and exploitation is the key to optimizing socio-economic benefits, while minimizing maintenance and repair costs and protecting national assets.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/nhung-bat-cap-trong-quan-ly-khai-thac-he-thong-duong-cao-toc-20251014164616943.htm