KUALA LUMPUR: About 70% of the variable message sign (VMS) system installed to inform motorists of the traffic situation and the alternative routes to take here are not in working condition.
The Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry via Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has paid about RM12mil to Integrated Transport Information System (ITIS) to maintain the VMS systems since it started operations in 2004.
“However, out of the 146 VMS units installed, only 46 are in working condition,” said Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng.
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| The defective Variable Message Sign unit in Jalan Kuching, Kuala Lumpur, has not been repaired yet. |
He said he had raised the matter to Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin in Parliament on June 18.
Lim said Nong Chik had replied in a written statement on the same day stating the reasons for the dysfunctional units, which included road-widening and construction work, theft of electric cables and faulty VMS main components.
The statement said DBKL was given an allocation of RM1.5mil per year just to maintain VMS, which include replacing of cables and VMS components, and that DBKL is now upgrading the existing system to provide better information to commuters.
Other benefits of VMS include the technology to capture real-time traffic information for incident management and long-term transport planning, alleviate traffic congestion and delays during rush hour as well as emergency situations.
The VMS is operated by ITIS, a transport information system designed to improve the planning and flow of the city’s traffic system to ensure better management.