Bangkok--22 Nov--IBM Thailand
Recommendations help Pattaya city enhance public safety and traffic system, and assist Laem Chabang Port in becoming a regional logistics hub
A team of IBM executives has presented government leaders with a set of recommendations to support Chonburi’s economic development.
The team of five international IBM executives advised the municipality about how to create a more effective public safety and traffic management systems in Pattaya City and a more efficient logistics service for Laem Chabang Port as it strives to become a regional logistics hub. The work is the result of a three-week project funded by an IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grant to assist progressive, forward-thinking municipalities.
The IBM team worked closely with business leaders, officials from Pattaya City, and Laem Chabang Port to gather and analyse data and explore the role of information technology in addressing some of the challenges facing the city in its development.
Recommendations for Pattaya City and Laem Chabang Port
In the area of tourism, the IBM team built on the work which has been done to turn Pattaya city into a world-class tourist destination and to improve its “World Best Attraction” city ranking. To that end, IBM recommended that local government, central government and city business leaders work together to prioritise its needs. Planners may want to employ predictive analytics technology to better understand the short and long term transport and safety pressures, and opportunities posed by visitors. Predictive analytics will enable them to take more educated guesses about the city's needs and the right measures to address those issues.
To support Laem Chabang Port in achieving its vision to be a major logistics hub and gateway to counties in the Mekong Sub-region, the IBM team presented recommendations aimed at enhancing the port's operational efficiency and service quality. They suggested technology that might help decision makers anticipate and respond to urgent and long term demands. The system could identify and analyse cargo and traffic patterns, providing insights into how traffic and load congestion might be eased.
The IBM team was very impressed by the vision and drive shown by Pattaya City and Laem Chabang Port," said Ms Parnsiree Amatayakul, Managing Director of IBM Thailand. “They felt privileged to share expert advice for how the municipality might take their economic development plans to the next level. The team believes that the city has immense potential and that their goals are within reach.”
Smarter Cites Challenge
Chonburi was selected out of 140 other cities around the world to become one of IBM’s Smarter Cities Challenge grant winners this year. Of the 33 worldwide cities selected by IBM to receive Smarter Cities challenge grants in 2012, Chonburi was one of three ASEAN cities to receive this honour.
Launched in 2011, the Smarter Cities Challenge is a three-year, 100-city US$50 million competitive grant programme and is IBM's single-largest philanthropic initiative. Winning cities get the benefit of some of IBM's most talented employees who examine critical, top-priority urban issues such as transportation, health, housing, economic development and public safety. The IBM team then creates a comprehensive plan of creative solutions which they present to the city's leadership addressing each top priority issue.
To find out more about IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grants, please visit http://smartercitieschallenge.org/.
Media contact:
Piyanute Thongjiem
IBM Thailand
Tel.: 66-2-273 4416
Email:
[email protected]