Set to take place next month at the Four Points by Sheraton Singapore, Riverview hotel, the second annual Road User Charging Conference Asia Pacific promises to be an essential gathering for public-sector professionals and private-sector stakeholders across the Asia-Pacific region.

Boasting an all-new line-up of more than 20 speakers and sessions for 2024, this year’s conference will address the latest developments, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of user-financed transportation and infrastructure in the region, including tolling, pricing and road-usage charging. The event will offer a unique platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing and networking, attracting key players from government agencies, private enterprises and academic institutions.k

One of the conference’s highlights will be the session led by Philip Maluping, a seasoned civil engineer from the Department of Public Works and Highways in Manila, Philippines. Maluping’s presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of the country’s ambitious toll road expansion. With some 493km of toll roads already in operation and significant additional kilometres under construction or in the planning phase, the Philippines is actively working to enhance its infrastructure to support economic growth and regional connectivity.

Maluping will also delve into the legal frameworks that govern toll road development in the Philippines, including the recently enacted Republic Act No. 11966, which establishes the Public-Private Partnership Code of the Philippines. Additionally, the session will tackle the challenges of implementing electronic toll collection (ETC) systems in the country, particularly regarding system integration, reliability, and public acceptance.

Elsewhere in the programme, Amit Ranjan Chitranshi, chief operating officer of the Indian Highway Management Company (IHMCL), will share insights from India’s transition to GNSS-based tolling. He’ll explain how India’s tolling landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, particularly with the introduction of the FASTag system, which has significantly improved toll collection efficiency and reduced congestion.

Chitranshi will also discuss the challenges and solutions associated with the transition, emphasising the importance of scalable infrastructure, strong regulatory frameworks, and user-friendly systems.

Furthermore, Sheyda Karimova, chief advisor at the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport in Azerbaijan, will lead a session focusing on the intersection of sustainability and toll road development in her country. Her presentation will highlight how toll roads contribute to the broader goals of sustainable development, regional growth, and environmental conservation in Azerbaijan.

Karimova will also explore the Baku-Guba highway, Azerbaijan’s first toll road, as a case study to illustrate the positive impacts of toll roads on the country’s transportation infrastructure.

The conference will also feature Dr Vu Minh Khuong, who will present on the transformative impact of ETC systems in Vietnam. His session will provide a detailed analysis of Vietnam’s successful ETC implementation, which has led to significant reductions in travel time, fuel consumption, and CO2 emissions.

Dr Vu will highlight the critical role of government involvement and public-private partnerships in achieving these outcomes, offering valuable lessons for other countries aiming to implement similar systems.

Other unmissable speakers and sessions include Allan Fels, professor of law and economics at Melbourne and Monash University, who will discuss the 2023-2024 independent review of Sydney’s toll system, commissioned by the New South Wales government, and the establishment of a new government tolling company aimed at enhancing toll management in the region; and Tariq Munir, a researcher at Swinburne University of Technology, will explore public perception and challenges in implementing RUC in Victoria, Australia, and provide insights into overcoming barriers to road pricing, drawing from lessons learned in other regions.

More highlights include a session from Abdukodir Yokubov, director of the public-private partnership department at Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, on Uzbekistan’s progress in implementing public-private partnerships (PPPs) for toll roads, focusing on projects due for completion by 2026; and insight from Tory Damantoro, transport specialist at Nusantara OIKN, into the ongoing construction of the IKN Toll Road in East Kalimantan, a critical project for improving connectivity in Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara.

Whether you’re a government official, technology provider, academic or a policy expert, this event is not to be missed!