MHI Begins Trial Operation of Global ETC in Malaysia
First overseas project of current Japanese ETC system

The trial operation is taking place at the Penchala toll plaza of the Damansara-Puchong Expressway near Kuala Lumpur, the nation's capital. For the trial operation, MHI is providing a roadside communication system and vehicle on-board units (OBUs). Through the demonstration, MHI aims to prove the reliability of its ETC technology, the new system's compatibility with currently operated ETC cards, and its functionality in mixed operation with the existing system. At the same time, the company looks to demonstrate the superiority of its technological capability to introduce the MLFF operation – which allows a free flow of multi-lane traffic without requiring vehicles to slow down for toll collecting - into Malaysia.

The ETC system being demonstrated features highly reliable Japanese ETC system specifications. The system uses active-type dedicated short-range communication (Active DSRC). Considering the needs of overseas markets, MHI's OBU is battery –powered and accepts contact-less IC card for prepayment. MHI has been aggressively marketing this "Global ETC" system with the aim that it will become a global standard in ETC systems from Japan. When adopted, the system, which can collect tolls from about 2,000 vehicles per hour, will contribute significantly to easing traffic congestion.

Malaysia is one of the most extensively highway-networked countries in Southeast Asia. MHI, in addition to seeking to win a contract to upgrade that country's existing system, looks to leverage its trial operation in Malaysia to become increasingly proactive in marketing its "global standard" ETC system and in expanding sales by proposing the technology to various countries and regions now mulling ETC system deployment.