Freeway concessionaire Ekovest is collaborating with expertise accomplice Amtel Holdings to run its pilot check of its multi-lane quick move (MLFF) system on its freeway, in keeping with The Edge.
Ekovest has been conducting proof-of-concept (POC) testing for its MLFF system with Amtel since late 2022 as a part of its initiative to cut back congestion and accidents on its highways, Ekovest managing director Tan Sri Lim Keng Cheng stated.
The non-public proof-of-concept sees its freeway, the Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway (DUKE) and Amtel intention to showcase the compatibility of on-board unit (OBU) programs with future MLFF expertise, which is camera-based to be able to recognise car quantity plates, Lim stated. In apply, the potential integration of the 2 applied sciences is “not too dissimilar” to the digital street pricing (ERP) system utilized in Singapore, Lim added.
Digital street pricing (ERP) gantry in Singapore
“The non-public POC is at present happening easily and DUKE intends to share its findings with the Ministry of Works (KKR) and the Malaysian Freeway Authority (LLM) for his or her deliberation with the MLFF expertise supplier,” Lim instructed The Edge.
The DUKE is the second freeway to participate in POC testing for the MLFF system, Lim stated; the primary is the IJM-owned Sungai Besi Expressway (Besraya), in keeping with the report.
Amtel continues to be working to fine-tune the effectiveness of the MLFF system, stated its chief government Chester Koid Siang Loong. “MLFF is a significant recreation changer for Malaysia freeway customers. As soon as each Ekovest and Amtel are glad with the MLFF pilot outcomes, we will current it to KKR for his or her consideration,” Koid stated.
Two key elements are concerned within the implementation of MLFF, stated Koid; these are the camera-based computerized quantity plate recognition (ANPR) system, and a battery-powered, tag-based system for toll fare deduction, Koid defined.
“I consider utilizing a battery-powered machine reminiscent of OBU, generally often known as the In-Car Unit (IU) in Singapore, would assure higher outcomes in comparison with a sticker tag. As we transfer in the direction of MLFF, the introduction of RFID or different different gadgets as an choice to assist MLFF is an efficient initiative, however we must always not neglect in regards to the freeway customers whose present gadgets nonetheless work completely high-quality and [don’t want to] be burdened with buying new gadgets or tags,” he stated.
Each infrared – reminiscent of SmartTag – and RFID-based programs can co-exist, and in the end Koid urges expertise corporations to proceed to innovate and enhance their services, in keeping with the report.
In March this yr, the works ministry introduced that 5 highways in Malaysia will start working an open cost system for toll assortment by this September, and this announcement was shortly adopted by a press release that the federal government will maintain a proof-of idea for MLFF earlier than the top of October 2023 to guage the system.
