In an effort to reduce traffic congestion between the Setia Alam exit towards the Shah Alam Toll Plaza on the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), PLUS has announced its plan to introduce a manual pilot SmartLane initiative.
The initiative is set to begin October 23rd 2019, with the aim of optimizing the use of the left-most lane to smoothen the traffic flow around the area.
Check out the press release below for more information:
PRESS RELEASE
Effective October 23rd 2019, PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) plans to initiate a manual pilot SmartLane initiative to mitigate and evaluate the traffic congestion flow between Setia Alam exit towards the Shah Alam Toll Plaza.
After a period of observation and evaluation, PLUS plans to implement the INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT SYSTEM (ITS) and establish an electronic SmartLane, similar to the ones presently applied in the United Kingdom and Holland.
The aim is to optimize the use of the left-most lane to enhance the flow of traffic with the aim of reducing congestion for highway customers who travel between Setia Alam to Shah Alam on the NKVE during the morning rush hours.
This SmartLane pilot implementation covers the NKVE stretch between KM3.2 and KM9.2 (Northbound) and is activated between 6:30am until 9:30am every Mondays to Fridays (please refer to the attached diagram).
During these morning peak hours, the left-most lane will be opened and used as a temporary additional lane to increase lane capacity and promote smoother traffic flow.
PLUS Chief Operating Officer, Zakaria Ahmad Zabidi said, “Our studies have shown that the convergence of traffic as well as climbing areas contributed greatly to the congestion on the NKVE. The SmartLane pilot project is a proactive step towards providing our customers a smoother travel solution.”
Zakaria added that various preparations have been in place before the SmartLane is carried out. These included deploying Police and PLUSRonda officers on site, installation of directional signages, assigning additional tow trucks at strategic locations and providing an emergency bay at KM5.6.
“Based on PLUS’ record, 302,000 vehicles ply the NKVE daily, where 22% of them enters the highway simultaneously during the morning rush hour. However, with the implementation of the SmartLane we expect to reduce the Setia Alam-Shah Alam peak hour crawl by 30% to 40%, barring any incidences such as accidents and vehicle breakdowns. Nevertheless, we have tow trucks on standby to address these incidences” he explained.
The implementation of this SmartLane initiative will be carried out in two phases, whereby Phase One will operate manually via road signs placed at the designated stretch.
Phase Two, which is targeted second quarter of 2020, will incorporate full-fledged ITS technology. This ITS system will enable PLUS to manage traffic enforcement and traffic distribution more efficiently. All systems will be managed and monitored through the PLUS Traffic Monitoring Centre at Persada PLUS.
“We do plan to expand the SmartLane initiative at other locations along the PLUS highway in the future,” added Zakaria. “In the meantime we strongly advise our customers to always follow the traffic signages, adhere closely to the speed limit, give way to emergency vehicles and be extra careful when plying the highway.”
This ITS SmartLane initiative is fully supported and endorsed by the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA), the Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS).
