Monash transport expert honoured for breakthrough work in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Professor Hai Vu (far left) and Associate Professor Dong Ngoduy (far right) with a group of participants at a transport knowledge-sharing workshop in Ho Chi Minh City

Monash transport engineering researcher Associate Professor Dong Ngoduy is to receive a Research and Development Award from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in recognition of his contribution to intelligent transport systems to address critical transportation issues in the city.

Announcing the award, Mr Tran Quang Lam, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport (HCMC DoT), cited Associate Professor Dong’s outstanding achievements in knowledge exchange and the development of advanced solutions for managing and operating multi-modal transport systems.

Associate Professor Dong and Professor Hai Vu, from the Monash Department of Civil Engineering, have been working with the HCMC DoT since early 2023, through a series of workshops in collaboration with Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUT) and courses attended by more than 150 academic research and technical staff, senior managers, engineers and consultants from across Vietnam’s transport sector.

The success of this knowledge-sharing program led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between HCMC DoT and Monash in May 2024. The MOU covers a number of further project stages to follow, including implementation of digital twin technologies and artificial intelligence approaches, establishment of data collection platforms and real-time adaptive traffic control strategies, as well as assistance with route and timetable systems, electronic ticketing, and passenger travel demand forecasting for public transport.

Monash will also further collaborate with HCMC DoT to run short courses on advanced traffic management technologies, data collection and processing, and review international best practices and experiences.

Professor Ha Bui, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, congratulated Associate Professor Dong on the award and praised the important contribution and impact of the work undertaken on the project by both Monash transport academics.

Associate Professor Dong’s award will be formally presented to him in person in Ho Chi Minh City later this year.