Nov. 28, 2016

NTT DATA Corporation

Tokyo, November 28, 2016 - NTT DATA, a leading global IT services provider, announced today that it has successfully conducted an expanded field study of using big data traffic simulation technology to control traffic signals for the effective alleviation of traffic congestion in Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China. The study was implemented by NTT DATA together with the Institute of Software, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ISCAS) and the city of Guiyang between September 19 and 30. ISCAS is an institute established by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the national academy for the natural sciences in the People’s Republic of China.

Optimized settings for traffic signals, which had been learned from analysis of data collected in past surveys, were tested in real life using 220 signals at 19 intersections. During the test, cars passing through the intersections were identified by their license plates. The study covered almost the entire Guanshanhu district of northwest Guiyang, an area suffering from severe traffic congestion. It was conducted 24 hours a day, including weekdays and weekends. It was found that the time lost due to traffic congestion was cut 7% on average and up to a maximum of 26%. The number of vehicles passing through the intersections in a given time increased by 6.7% on average and up to a maximum of 25%.

NTT DATA began developing big data technologies for traffic forecasting and enhanced signal control in 2011. A trial conducted in March in a smaller area of Guiyang involved just 12 intersections, mostly on the same street, which were monitored only during rush hours on weekday mornings and evenings.

Guiyang has implemented various transportation management and control measures that utilize traffic-monitoring cameras and networked traffic signals. In the most recent trial, NTT DATA used data collected from 170 cameras, which encompassed the movements of 60 million cars.

NTT DATA now aims to offer fully automated traffic-control solutions to Guiyang and other cities in China, as well as to ISCAS. Moving forward, NTT DATA will work with Guiyang and ISCAS to integrate its solution with the city’s total traffic-control system and eventually launch a commercial system for congestion alleviation with an automated real-time signal control.

“This latest field test proves that NTT DATA’s solution and supporting big data technology can be used to effectively alleviate real-life traffic congestion,” said Mr. Hiroyuki Kazama, Head of the Evolutional IT center at NTT DATA. “This is the latest step forward in NTT DATA’s technological development to create a world-leading smart ITS solution that would optimize settings for traffic signals in a wide area on a real-time basis. In Guiyang, we now will strive to add real-time capabilities to the city’s traffic-control system, such as detecting signs of congestion to prevent occurrences across wide areas.”

NTT DATA aims to increase its global revenue from smart-city business to 10 billion yen (roughly 100 million USD) by fiscal 2020.

NTT DATA is a leading IT services provider and global innovation partner headquartered in Tokyo, with business operations in over 50 countries. Our emphasis is on long-term commitment, combining global reach with local intimacy to provide premier professional services varying from consulting and systems development to outsourcing. For more information, visit www.nttdata.com.