SIBU, May 9: Smart traffic lights are expected to improve traffic congestion here by 30 per cent once they are installed by this year.
Confirming this, Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Khim Shin said that the Sarawak Multimedia Authority is working on it and the number of units required.
“A study has shown that smart traffic systems can improve traffic flow by 30 per cent. The committee will put up a proposal to the ministry to install these systems,” he said at a press conference here after chairing Sibu Divisional Traffic Committee meeting today.
There are 24 traffic light systems under Sibu Municipal Council and another 16 under the Public Works Department (PWD).
The current traffic light system under SMC is not the smart type yet while in Kuching there are already 42 utilising the Scats system (Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System.)
Meanwhile Lee said Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) and Marine Department had given approval for the operator of the Rajang River Cruise to operate for longer hours.
Lee said the operator could now operate from 5pm to 9pm instead of up to 7pm previously
“They have also applied to operate daily instead of from Friday to Sunday previously and this has also been approved. They have also applied to operate a second boat as response has been very good,” he said.
Among those attending the meeting were Lee’s deputy, Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Michael Tiang, Sibu Divisional Traffic Committee member Wong Hie Sieng, and Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng. — DayakDaily
