Kuala lumpur: The Smart Lane initiative, implemented on various segments of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) since 2023, has significantly reduced traffic congestion by 30 to 50 percent, according to Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the initiative has alleviated congestion during peak hours and festive seasons. Continuous technical assessments are conducted to ensure the safety of all road users, including motorcyclists. Monitoring by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) from 2023 shows the Smart Lane initiative's effectiveness in reducing traffic congestion by the reported percentages.

Nanta highlighted that the accident rate in Smart Lane zones is lower compared to the total traffic volume along the route. He addressed these findings during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat, in response to a query from Zakri Hassan (PN-Kangar) regarding the safety and comfort of motorcyclists on these stretches.

Nanta reported that only 36 accident cases occurred at 12 Smart Lane locations on weekdays from January to May this year. Incidents involving motorcyclists were fewer as riders are more cautious when sharing the lane. The analysis indicated that user behavior, such as non-compliance with safety instructions, was a primary cause of accidents.

To enhance safety, LLM has mandated that concessionaires appoint independent road safety auditors to conduct a stage 5 road safety audit every five years. This audit includes safety aspects in the Smart Lane's implementation, not limited to motorcyclists, with improvement actions taken based on the findings.

Additionally, Nanta stated that KKR and LLM are expanding the use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) to detect traffic density in real time, aiming for more efficient traffic flow coordination.