Smart traffic light system commissioned at Jalan Airport
MIRI: The problem faced by motorists at Jalan Airport here is now a thing of the past, thanks to the commissioning of a smart traffic light system at the junction.
According to Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin, the installation of the traffic light system was made possible through a fund provided by the state government.
“A total of RM300,000 was acquired for the installation of this traffic light system, after we received complaints from road users about the problem and risks of accidents at the junction,” the Senadin assemblyman told reporters after officiating at the commissioning of the traffic light system yesterday.
Lee revealed that the smart traffic light system is connected to a computer in a central traffic control room, uses cameras and sensors to understand what is happening on the streets and transmits real- time data to regulate the traffic flow accordingly.
The intelligent system, fitted with artificial intelligence, can detect if there is a concentration of vehicles or no vehicle at the different intersections and junctions.
“With the signals, the system can make its own timing to route traffic thus providing better management of the traffic flow at the junction of Jalan Airport,” he emphasised.
According to Lee, a number of accidents have occurred at the junction, including a fatal accident involving a university student in late 2016.
Following that, in 2017, a solar warning light was erected at the junction as an immediate measure to prevent similar occurrence, and a proposal for the smart traffic light system was put up with proposed fund of RM300,000.
“So this year the fund was approved by the state government and state JKR ( Public Works Department) was called for tender and to implement this project. This traffic light has just been completed and today (yesterday) we are officially commissioning it.
“With the completion of this traffic light, we hope that this junction safer. But most important is for road users to comply with road regulations and not to jump the lights,” he reminded.
Lee also disclosed that the state government had funded the improvement work on a traffic light in Tudan, located near Tudan Polyclinic.
“The upgrading work of the traffic light system in Tudan, costing RM200,000, has started two weeks ago. It is still under construction and expected to be completed by early next year,” he added.
Lee thanked JKR and Syarikat Sesco Berhad (Sesco) for working tirelessly to ensure that the projects run smoothly.
Also present were Miri JKR divisional engineer Chong Chi Fam, Sesco regional manager (northern region) Ir Tan Joo Kok and Sesco project engineer David Kong.