KUCHING: The Intelligent Transport System (ITS) technology must be implemented by the Sarawak government to address the issue of traffic congestion in the state’s cities.
Caretaker Senior Minister of Public Works Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said he suggested that the state government to implement the system in urban areas such as Kuching, Sibu and Miri.
“For the implementation, it may be possible to start from the Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) and Kuching South City Council (MBKS).
“They can sit together and discuss efforts to implement ITS, especially to locate the control centre for the system.
“The world is changing right now, and we must be prepared to adapt new items. Therefore, vehicle autonomy is required; else, we risk falling behind,” he said.
He told reporters this after officiating at the Koperkasa Transformation Course Towards Vision 2030 at the Waterfront Hotel here yesterday.
He added that in the Peninsular, they already adopted the system which focuses on the highway area.
He explained that Kuala Lumpur City Hall already has the system but it is not fully ITS yet and needs to be upgraded.
Through the system, he said, local authorities can monitor the traffic situation as well as be able to inform drivers of the traffic situation while using a smartphone.
“For example, in the event of an accident, road users can be informed of the situation and choose to use an alternative road. This system can also warn drivers who drive vehicles over the speed limit,” he added.
On the same note, he said that the system requires a control centre to monitor traffic movement in addition to needing a tracking camera.
From that, they can analyse and study traffic conditions and inform road users, he pointed out.
