By Mohamad Al As – February 8, 2025 @ 6:13pm
The Malaysian Highway Authority announced that it would enforce expanded restrictions on heavy vehicles during peak hours across selected highways in the Klang Valley, starting Feb 19. – BERNAMA PIC
KUALA LUMPUR: The government should consider a dynamic, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven system that adapts to real-time traffic conditions to resolve peak-hour congestion.
“What if instead of fixed schedules, we could adjust restrictions in real time based on actual traffic conditions?” said MY Mobility Vision founder and chief operating officer Wan Agyl Wan Hassan, proposing a system similar to Singapore’s ERP 2.0, which uses AI and sensors.
“When congestion spikes unexpectedly, the system could extend the ban. When roads are clear, it could allow heavy vehicles through.”
His comments followed the Malaysian Highway Authority’s announcement that it will enforce expanded restrictions on heavy vehicles during peak hours across selected highways in the Klang Valley, starting Feb 19.
The new restrictions between 4.30pm and 7.30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays), will complement the pre-existing restrictions between 6.30am and 9.30am.
Agyl said such technology was not just theoretical, citing studies showing that similar systems “can cut congestion by up to 22 per cent and even reduce fuel costs by around 15 per cent”.
He said this approach would create a more efficient and predictable system for drivers and logistics operators, reducing wasted hours, expenses and delivery delays.
Agyl pointed out that fixed time slots for the ban fail to account for unpredictable traffic conditions.
“Weather, accidents or even local events can extend the rush, while other times of day might be unexpectedly calm,” he said.
This mismatch leads to idling trucks, wasted fuel and business disruptions, particularly for industries relying on just-in-time manufacturing and perishable goods.
Using Port Klang as an example, Agyl highlighted how extended detours and delays “ripple through the entire supply chain, affecting industries from electronics to palm oil”.
He acknowledged that while some exemptions exist for emergency vehicles and waste management, they “barely scratch the surface when it comes to the needs of commercial logistics”.
Beyond traffic management, public-private partnerships (PPPs) could play a crucial role in solving congestion issues.
“These collaborations allow the government to tap into private sector innovation and capital,” Agyl said.
“In Malaysia, projects like the Integrated Transport Information System (ITIS) have already shown that by working together, significant improvements in traffic management can be achieved.”
Another solution, he said, was intermodal transport, which involves shifting freight movement from roads to rail or sea.
“Although rail currently handles less than five per cent of Port Klang’s cargo, there’s huge potential here,” he said, urging greater investment in rail freight to relieve pressure on highways.
Agyl called for a rethinking of the policy to ensure it balances traffic management with economic efficiency.
“A smarter, more adaptive system would benefit not just truckers and businesses, but also the entire transport ecosystem,” he said.
