THE State Ministry of Transport is planning to increase the number of smart traffic lights from 98 junctions to 176 junctions in Sarawak by 2024.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said that by then the coverage of smart traffic lights in Sarawak would increase from 30 per cent to 55 per cent.
“To date, there are 328 traffic light junctions in Sarawak, comprising 147 in Kuching, 41 in Sibu, 44 in Bintulu, 62 in Miri, seven in Limbang, five in Samarahan, 10 in Sarikei, three in Betong, three in Serian, two in Sri Aman, one in Kapit, one in Mukah and one in Kanowit,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech during the DUN Sitting yesterday (May 24).
Of these, he said 98 or 30 per cent have been graded to smart traffic light junctions comprising 66 in Kuching, seven in Sibu, four in Bintulu, 18 in Miri, two in Kanowit and one in Sri Aman and these are interlinked with SCATS (Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System) and eventually linked to the Sarawak Command Centre.
“Smart traffic lights in Sarawak have brought in many benefits such as reduction in traffic congestion, fewer accidents, greater productivity, lower transport operation cost and lower greenhouse gas emissions,” he pointed out.
For the record, the Ministry together with Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), Public Works Department (PWD) and local councils are implementing smart traffic lights to improve mobility, safety and enhance user experience in transport services.
