ROTREX 2011 Showcases Korea's Road & Traffic Technology

Coincides with side events such as KRTA's Annual Symposium and presentation by KICTEP

Forty-one years have passed since the completion of the Gyeongbu Expressway, famed for track records such as its remarkably short period of construction (two and half years) and lowest expense ratio ($100,000/Km). The nation's road construction technology has advanced to ITS (Intelligent Transportation System) combined with the IT industry, which is one of the leading industries in Korea. With ITS in place, Korea is now set to make another big leap forward by expanding its road construction business to the world, primarily the Asian region.
The International Road & Traffic Expo 2011 (ROTREX 2011), which took place from October 18-21 at KINTEX in Goyang, north of Seoul, has highlighted state-of-the-art road and traffic technologies from Korea and abroad. It has already become one of the most famous traffic exhibitions with its gradual growth.

EXPANSION AND ADVANCEMENT
This year's ROTREX, the fourth such exhibition, saw participants rising 30 percent from 2009 to 200 exhibitors and 600 booths. The ROTREX Secretariat encouraged public institutions, local governments and state-owned companies including Korea Expressway Corporation to participate in the event in order to promote their businesses. Moreover, It supported companies who were seeking overseas business opportunities by commissioning KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) to invite buyers from overseas public sectors.
The exhibition displayed a wide range of technology and products in such areas as road construction & maintenance, traffic sign & safety products, ITS, public transportation & bicycle, parking systems, and service.

SPECIALIZED SIDE EVENTS
The Korean Society of Transportation, one of the nation's largest expert groups, held its annual symposium at the venue of ROTREX 2011. Additionally, a seminar on steel structures and bridges by KRTA (Korea Road & Transportation Association) and a presentation on the legal system for new technology by KICTEP (Korea Institute of Construction & Transportation Technology Evaluation and Planning) were held to provide essential information on trends and issues in the industry.

AGGRESSIVE OVERSEAS MARKETING
The ROTREX Secretariat made the most of the support from KOTRA for the purpose of overseas promotion and attracting overseas buyers. It also met the organizer of 'Intertraffic Istanbul' in Turkey last May and agreed to mutual promotion between the two exhibitions. Furthermore, the secretariat attended 9th EASTS (Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies) at Jeju Island and engaged in public relations activities.
Park Young, project manager of ROTREX 2011, said, "This exhibition well reflects the rapidly changing and growing road and transportation industry. It will be the ideal place for domestic companies to expand their businesses overseas based on their accumulated know-how, engineering skills, and IT." nw

(from left)
Korea Road and Transportation Association Chairman Chang Seok-hyo and other dignitaries look around the pavilions at the site of the International Road & Traffic Expo (ROTREX) on Oct. 18. Major small and medium companies certified for their technology power took part in the events.
Spectators from Korea and abroad take a look at the latest traffic and transportation technologies and products on display at the ROTREX 2011. The exhibition coincides with specialized side events, including an annual symposium.

Photo by NewsWorld