Fixing Malaysia’s traffic woes

The majority of traffic congestion is comprised of the commuting public who are single-occupancy vehicles. Experts say that the solution to congestion would not be resolved by building more roads and highways. Plus higway near plaza tol Sg.Besi. (September 27, 2021) - AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

THE recent school holidays saw chock-a-block traffic on major routes in Kuala Lumpur even during non-peak hours.

Before this, traffic was already dreadful with more people returning to their workplace after the relaxation of Covid-19 movement restrictions, and many are reluctant to use public transport due to health concerns.

Peak hours are a nightmare for commuters, especially those living in the Klang Valley, as they usually spend more than two hours daily, or roughly 44 hours a month, trapped in traffic.

And when it rains in the evening, the situation is even worse, adding up to more than 100 hours wasted a year for a typical driver.

Building more roads and increasing the capacity of public transport will not do much to alleviate traffic congestion. Citing Enrique Peñalosa, the former mayor of Bogota, Colombia: “... trying to solve traffic problems by building more roads is like putting out a fire with gasoline.”

What Malaysia needs are smart solutions, including artificial intelligence (AI). We are already using AI-powered satellite navigation software like Google Maps and Waze daily to get the latest updates on traffic conditions.

TM One, the business-to-business arm of Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), has developed a system that programmes traffic lights to respond to real-time data collected by cameras and sensors. This AI-traffic management system is poised to redesign the country’s transport network and is being implemented in several testing beds such as Cyberjaya, Kelantan, Pengerang (Johor) and Penang. It is expected to not only alleviate traffic congestion but also lower carbon emissions due to less time spent in cars on the road.

The MyDIGITAL Catalytic Projects Task Force (CPTF) recently called for the usage of smart solutions in the transport and logistics sector to enhance road safety, reduce congestion and provide a seamless mobility experience for road users.

PLUS in partnership with Celcom Axiata will also be leveraging the CPTF platform to identify and address issues related to technology implementation for safer highways.

But what we really need is an integrated platform that provides real-time data on traffic conditions in major highways and also on the movement of public transport like buses and trains (Keretapi Tanah Melayu, LRT and MRT).

We should implement a platform similar to Singapore’s Intelligent Transport System (ITS), which uses sensors, traffic and control systems, and data analytics to maximise road network efficiency, manage traffic flow and make roads safer.

The ITS has adopted various systems, including:

> Expressway Monitoring Advisory System, a computerised system that manages traffic along expressways by providing travel time information on signboards, and detects accidents and vehicle breakdowns, among others.

> Green Link Determining (GLIDE) system, which controls all traffic signals in Singapore by adjusting the green time as traffic flow changes. It detects the presence of vehicles and pedestrians at traffic light junctions and uses logic and algorithms to analyse real-time traffic data.

> Green Man+, which allocates a longer time for the elderly and persons with disabilities (PWD).

> Junction Electronic Eyes (J-Eyes), which involved placing 400 surveillance cameras at major traffic junctions to monitor traffic conditions and verify real-time incidents.

> Parking Guidance System (PGS), which delivers real-time information through 29 roadside electronic panels on availability of parking spaces. The information is also available on various mobile applications including OneMotoring and myTransport.sg.

> Traffic Message Channel (TMC), which delivers real-time traffic information to motorists via mobile phones, portable navigation devices (PNDs), and in-vehicle navigation systems.

Traffic congestion has an enormous impact on our economy, health and environment although the costs are often underestimated or misunderstood. Technology and AI can help us to tackle it.

DR DZUKEFLI ABDUL LATIFF

Bangi, Selangor