The Vientiane-Vangvieng Expressway, the country's first expressway, jointly developed by Yunnan Construction and Investment Holding Group (YCIH) and the Lao government and officially opened on Sunday, is also Laos' first smart expressway with Huawei technology, said the Chinese tech giant.

Huawei cooperating with its Chinese partners has built a secure, stable, and intelligent ICT platform for this smart expressway based on the global-leading information and communication technology (ICT), cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), and security management system, said a press release issued on Monday by Huawei.

Huawei data communication and transmission equipment deployed along the route builds a digital perception, interaction, transmission, and the application integrated solution that use big data analysis and other technical means to implement all-scenario solutions such as real-time intelligent monitoring, intelligent charging, emergency response, and decision analysis, the press release said.

In 2021, the 5G network to be built in Laos will be integrated with this smart expressway as well. The future of 5G+AI technology will further upgrade the intelligent level of the expressway and facilitate the development of infrastructure in Laos.

The opening of this expressway will greatly improve local transportation conditions, improve transportation efficiency, promote the development of economy and tourism along the way, and effectively benefit the local people, Huawei believes.

Phokham, a staff member of Tmark Resort Vangvieng, said, "There has been a significant increase in hotel bookings. Tourists also show the admiration for the travel experience on the Vientiane-Vangvieng expressway which integrates high-tech and engineering construction, modern concept, and cutting-edge technology to ensure driving safety. I believe that it will help boost the tourism and economic development, and my income will also increase accordingly."

Nanthavath, a Vientiane citizen, after driving his family ahead of time to experience and witness the expressway opening ceremony, said, "The new road is wider, faster and safer than the old one. It used to be a day of driving back and forth from Vientiane to Vangvieng, and it only takes more than an hour to reach Vangvieng now. Within the use of ETC, it will facilitate the rapid and orderly traffic, and ICT technologies will make the traffic smarter and more convenient."

The Vientiane-Vangvieng Expressway is about 110 km long, designed as a two-way four-lane expressway with a design speed of 80 km to 100 km per hour. Enditem