Smart highways to drive future mobility and make travel easier

Malaysia’s highways are being recast as a wider mobility ecosystem rather than simply stretches of asphalt and lanes. Around six million vehicles use Peninsular Malaysia’s network every day, for commuting, taking children to school, running businesses and traveling home to villages.

The country now has 34 toll highways covering 2,151 kilometers and operated by 28 concessionaires. But as traffic continues to grow, managing the network has become more complicated. Motorists want more than shorter journeys. They also expect roads that are safer and more comfortable for daily use.

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Maslan said highway development should therefore be assessed through the combination of infrastructure, digital technology, traffic management, modern payment systems and emergency response. Although users pay tolls, he said highways generally provide shorter, more orderly and safer journeys than ordinary roads.

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Highways are not merely roads that connect one destination to another, but a major catalyst for economic growth, investment, tourism and regional development.

“Highways are not merely roads that connect one destination to another, but a major catalyst for economic growth, investment, tourism and regional development,” Ahmad said. Urban highways help ease congestion, he added, while intercity routes connect states, support freight and logistics, and stimulate social and economic activity.

Technology now plays a central role in managing traffic. The Malaysian Highway Authority’s Traffic Management Centre monitors conditions around the clock through an integrated network of 873 closed-circuit television cameras and 277 variable message signs. The system allows the authority and concessionaires to detect incidents, alert motorists and coordinate assistance more quickly.

Ahmad said operators can select specific camera locations and examine conditions before and after an incident. He also stressed that the government continues to allocate substantial funds to build, upgrade and maintain federal and state roads, despite the continued expansion of the highway network.

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Closed-circuit television cameras are displayed at the Traffic Management Centre, and staff can select specific locations and look more closely at conditions before and after an incident.