SAP announces successful integration of its software in Brisbane ORT project

German business systems and software company, SAP (Systems Applications and Products) has announced the successful implementation of its intelligent tolling back-office system in Brisbane, Australia. Brisbane’s free-flow ORT project was designed to reduce travel times, decrease traffic congestion and improve safety for motorists and was commissioned by the toll road operator, Queensland Motorways.

Right: With an estimated 69 million vehicles traveling along Brisbane’s roads annually, motorists will benefit from improved travel conditions, reduced travel times and safer roads

Now, some seven months after the completion of the free-flow tolling (ORT) project, there has been a noticeable improvement in congestion and safety, as motorists no longer need to slow, merge or stop at toll points to pay their toll. Queensland Motorways engaged IBM to deliver the intelligent free-flow tolling central system, while Thales (partnering with Vitronic) was engaged to provide the roadside equipment system on 16 new gantries across the road network.

The 18-month implementation project linked sensor and imaging technology on the roadside to the back-office central system. Once a vehicle is identified by video cameras, billing information is passed to the back-end ERP Financials system and the Customer Relationship Management application, which automatically generates an invoice or deducts the amount owed from a prepaid account. The NetWeaver Business Warehouse component and the NetWeaver Process Integration software system handle the business reporting and integration. The SAP software enables Queensland Motorways to know who is traveling on its motorways, how often, and at what times. In the future, the application will make it possible for Queensland Motorways to create customized services for customers, resulting in improved customer experience and traffic management.

11 February 2010