BANGI MP Dr Ong Kian Ming has outlined eight suggestions to improve the speed of traffic flow at toll booths in the country, chief among them to conduct a proper analysis of the traffic data at MyRFID, Smart Tag and Touch ‘n Go lanes.
He said that proper processing of big data at the various gantries – especially those with high traffic flow – can give a more up-to-date picture on the speed of traffic flow on various lanes.
“If PLUS and Touch ‘n Go can show that the speed of traffic flow is significantly faster at MyRFID lanes compared to the other lanes this may push more highway users to install MyRFID tags and achieve the government’s target of 60% RFID usage by the end of 2022,” he said.
“Big data analytics at the various toll booths may also help PLUS and Touch ‘n Go identify areas of likely congestion, where more assets such as support staff can be deployed to resolve payment problems.”
Ong further recommended the use of technology to remind highway users of low balance and to offer auto top-up options if the MyRFID user’s e-Wallet balance is low.
“The user can also be encouraged to use the auto top-up function in the TNG e-Wallet while the same type of notification can be sent to those who have TNG cards linked to their e-Wallets,” he suggested.
Noting that a common reason for vehicles getting stuck at toll booths is the low balance in their Touch ‘n Go cards or e-wallets, he further called for a one-time negative balance charge in road users’ Touch ‘n Go cards or e-wallets, which would be followed by a reminder or notification to top them up.
Ong, who is a former deputy international trade and industry minister, also suggested that MyRFID be rolled out for buses, lorries and other vehicles.
He pointed out that while this is supposed to be done in 2023, an earlier roll-out will speed up traffic flow especially for the entry and exit points along PLUS which have only two to three lanes.
Ong’s other suggestions include increasing the availability of the enhanced Touch ‘n Go card which allows for the card to be topped up online.
The enhanced card is already being sold albeit in limited quantities thus far, and increasing the availability of this card will also enable easier topping-up of the card which also means decreasing the likelihood of cars getting stuck at toll booths because of low balance, he opined.
Meanwhile Ong also called for MyRFID to be linked to other payment systems to provide highway users a variety of options.
“There have been proposals to allow other payment systems to access the MyRFID tag so that highway users can choose from a number of payment systems to top up their MyRFID tag,” he elaborated.
“This requires a policy decision and policy direction from the Malaysian Highway Authority which is an agency under the Works Ministry. Having this option would take away the complaints that the toll payment system is currently being monopolised by Touch ‘n Go.”
In addition to pushing for a timeline for the conversion of Smart Tag into MyRFID lanes, he said the Works Ministry should state a timeline for the overall plan to migrate to a multi-lane free flow (MLFF) system as previously announced.
“A proper transparent pathway and timeline towards the realisation of the MLFF is needed so that this transition can be planned properly,” he said. – May 11, 2022
