By Ling Hui
KUCHING, March 26: The smart traffic lights in Kuching are equipped with automatic or adaptive signal retiming based on live traffic data, says SMART traffic light operator and traffic engineer who prefers to be known as Mr K.
In other words, he said more green time would be allocated to the side of a junction with heavier traffic and less green time to that with fewer vehicles waiting.
“If there are a lot of cars coming from one direction, more green time will be given to that side compared to the others.
“And if the situation changes in the next round, the smart traffic lights will automatically adjust themselves to give more green time to whichever side with more vehicles,” he explained.
Mr K said traditional traffic lights would not be this flexible as the timings were estimated and set manually by operators from time to time.
“Back then, all we could do was estimate, and the timings we set will run the same for the whole day, but it is impossible the traffic flow will be the same throughout the day.
“Today’s timing might not even be suitable for rainy days, school re-opening days, or occasions with special traffic conditions.
“So, we need something adaptive to the real-life situation where it can adjust itself,” he said during Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng’s ShallWeeTalk live streaming session today.
As to how the timing is distributed, he further explained that the system would look at two factors: volume of vehicles and degree of traffic density.
On another note, Mr K explained the occurrence of the ‘Green Wave’ where a road user would encounter a series of green lights along a path which is also possible thanks to the smart traffic lights.
He said all smart traffic lights are interconnected through the operation centre’s server, so the lights can actually ‘communicate’ with each other.
“Say the first traffic light has just released a huge wave of vehicles to the second traffic light, the first traffic light could then inform the second one to prepare for the wave.
“So, the latter traffic light that got the signal would then do its calculations and release a green light in time for that particular wave of vehicles.
“The vehicles would not even have to stop or slow down and could have a smooth ride through several traffic lights,” he applauded.
All that, Mr K emphasised, was to reduce road users’ travelling time, which is an added benefit of having smart traffic lights other than just providing safe passageway across junctions like it used to be.
In terms of malfunctions, he added, the ‘down time’ of smart traffic lights can be shortened extensively compared to traditional traffic lights.
He said once a traffic light malfunctions, a signal containing all error details would be prompted at the operation centre.
With sufficient information, the despatched service team could prepare for the repair beforehand, thus effectively shortening the troubleshooting process.
Mr K was Wee’s guest today on his Facebook live to talk about the SMART traffic light system implemented in some parts of Kuching. — DayakDaily
