Traffic volume in Kuching, Miri and Bintulu show significant drop

Datuk Lee Kim Shin

By Brad Rantayy

MIRI, March 23: Traffic in Kuching, Miri and Bintulu showed a significant drop yesterday, the 5th day of a two-week movement control order (MCO) imposed by the government to contain the spread of Covid-19.

“Most of the busy streets have fallen quiet,” said Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin.

He added, that traffic volume was monitored for 24 hours between 12am midnight until 11:59pm at junctions installed with smart traffic lights using artificial intelligence (AI).

“The data gathered on March 22 at 11:59pm midnight are as shown below compared to March 17, the day before MCO,” Lee explained:

Kuching City

Average reduction -77.8 per cent as detailed:
Jalan Simpang Tiga -83%
Jalan Sekama -77%
Jalan Sg Apong -79%
Jalan Tabuan Jaya -77.9%
Kuching- Samarahan Expressway-77.1%
Jalan Song:-75%
Jalan Rock: -82.2%
Jalan Airpot: -83.8%
Jalan Satok: -78.9%
Jalan Keretapi: -69.6%
Jalan Batu Kawa: -71.7%

Miri City

Average reduction -82.3 per cebt as detailed:
Pujut 7: -79.1%
Bulan sabit: -84.6%
Parkson: -84.1%
Hilltop: -84.7%
Piasau: -70.8%
Permaisuri: -81.5%

Bintulu Town
Average reduction -68.2% as detailed:
Taman Tinggi: -69%
Medan Jaya: -73.5%
Rakawi Yusuf: -71.6%
BTU Old Airport: -58.5%

“The data collected will give us a general indication of the number of people going into the city areas and useful in monitoring people and traffic movement under MCO,” Lee added.

He also gave assurance that the government will be monitoring the vehicle volume daily and share the information with the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee. — DayakDaily