Keeping roads safe: Road Transport Department officials conducting inspections on heavy vehicles during an operation in Seremban. The HS-WIM system Loke (below) announced would allow for more efficient enforcement as heavy vehicles will not need to be stopped for weight inspections. — Bernama
Upcoming system can identify overloading on the road in real time
KUALA LUMPUR: Enforcement against overloaded heavy vehicles will be beefed up with new technology soon.
Dubbed the High Speed-Weigh in Motion (HS-WIM) system, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said it would use sensors embedded in roads for real-time tracking.
This system would allow for more efficient enforcement as heavy vehicles will not need to be stopped for weight inspections.
“Cameras will also be installed in selected locations,” Loke told The Star yesterday.
The system’s development is expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year.
In a written parliamentary reply earlier yesterday, the Transport Ministry said increased enforcement on vehicle overloading regulations would not only reduce road damage but also the risk of accidents.
The ministry said overloaded heavy vehicles are among the factors causing road damage, adding that the Road Transport Department conducts periodic studies on mechanisms to tackle overloading.
It was replying to a question by Dr Halimah Ali (PN-Kapar) on measures taken by the ministry to tackle road damage around ports.
Halimah also asked about measures taken by the Port Klang Authority to handle traffic congestion near Northport following the increase of ro-ro cargo and subsequent number of heavy vehicles.
To this, the ministry said the Port Klang Authority had a reservation system for container pickup and delivery at the port terminal and empty container depot in Port Klang.
“Road maintenance works were also carried out under the Port Klang Authority Matching Grant,” it said.
The maintenance works are carried out at eight stretches and expected to be completed by December.
They are Persiaran Raja Muda Musa; Jalan Pintasan Selat Klang Utara; Jalan Pelabuhan Utara; Jalan Lingkaran Pulau Indah; Jalan Pelabuhan Utara-Barat; Lebuhraya Pulau Indah; Jalan Industri Pandamaran and Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad.
The ministry added that the Port Klang Authority also intends to perform studies to encourage heavy vehicles travel outside peak hours to minimise traffic congestion.
The Port Klang Authority would also work with the Land and Mines Office to identify suitable locations for new rest stops and areas to park broken down vehicles along main routes heading to Port Klang.
“At the same time, the Works Ministry is also upgrading roads around the port,” it said.
The stretches are from Jalan Pelabuhan Utara at the Klang Container Terminal to Northport in Port Klang.
Another project is the building and upgrading of Phase 3 of the Lingkaran Pulau Indah.
