Earlier this year, the government announced its plan to implement a barrier-less multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) toll collection system on Malaysian highways by the end of Q3 2024. In light of this new initiative, the Sungai Besi Expressway (Besraya) became the first location to implement the MLFF pilot test.
Now, Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway (DUKE) has joined the Proof of Concept (POC). Its concessionaire, Ekovest Berhad, collaborates with its technology partner, Amtel Holdings Bhd, to run a pilot rest on the highway. More details on the POC are below.
Pilot test on DUKE Highway
According to Ekovest, it has been conducting POC testing for the MLFF system with Amtel since late 2022 to reduce congestion and accidents on its highways, reports The Edge Malaysia.
Its managing director Lim Keng Cheng says the private POC is ongoing smoothly, and they intend to share the findings with the works ministry for deliberation.
“In the private POC, DUKE and Amtel aim to showcase the compatibility of on-board unit (OBU) systems with future MLFF technology, which is believed to be camera-based, to recognise vehicle number plates,” he says.
The possible integration of the two technologies is quite identical in practice to the electronic road pricing system in Singapore. With this, DUKE becomes the second highway to participate in POC testing for the MLFF system after Besraya.
The future of Malaysian highways
The MLFF system can be a major game changer for Malaysian highway users. It will reduce traffic congestion on highway toll plazas often caused by barriers, thereby reducing travel time.
With the MLFF implementation, there will be no barriers or physical booths for toll fare deduction like today. Instead, there will be a camera-based automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system and a battery-powered, tag-based system for toll collections.
Infrared systems such as SmartTAG and RFID systems may still co-exist with the MLFF. This is so that the new system doesn’t burden people with existing devices.
MLFF toll system on DUKE highway
As the government looks for ways to improve highway driving, we hope the new system can benefit the public.
At the same time, it should not cause more problems for road users as traffic congestions are already too much to deal with. The transition to the new system should be as smooth as everyone expects.
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