James Kon
The Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) yesterday launched a pilot project to replace speed warning devices (SWDs) under the Road Traffic Regulations (Motor Vehicle: speed warning device), 2002, with In-Vehicle Monitoring System (IVMS) technology that uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology.
Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof officially launched the project to enhance road safety, particularly for commercial vehicles, heavy vehicles and public transport.
Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Iswandy bin Ahmad, permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries and members of the National Road Safety Council (MKKJR) were also present.
The project will run for six months, during which members of an appointed taskforce will review and assess information, particularly in terms of enforcement effectiveness and sustainability, before gaining approval for nationwide implementation.
Currently, only 16 vehicles from eight transport companies have been fitted with the new IVMS technology. Three different systems supplied by local companies Syarikat GHK Auto Assembly Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Zainal Daud Sendirian Berhad and Syarikat Swift Track Technologies are also being tested for the pilot project. The pilot project taskforce hopes to invite more suppliers and transport companies to the project.
Director of Land Transport Haji Rozaly bin Haji Saidon said in his welcoming remarks, “Speed Warning Devices (SWDs) are not new. They have been in use since 2002, under the Road Traffic Regulations (Motor Vehicle: speed warning device), 2002.
“The main function of SWDs, as we understand, is aimed at controlling the speed limit for vehicles. In Brunei Darussalam, SWDs are installed on commercial vehicles, heavy vehicles and public transportation. The device will emit a loud noise, causing the driver to reduce the speed of the vehicle.
“Meanwhile, SWD lamps installed on vehicles will light up to attract the attention of enforcement personnel from the Royal Brunei Police Force or Land Transport Department, so that action can be taken against offenders.
“All vehicles owned by the government and the private sector especially commercial vehicles, heavy vehicles and public transportation, are required to be fitted with SWDs.
“As part of the enhancement efforts, the Land Transport Department would like to test the effectiveness of SWDs equipped with the GPS by means of the pilot project.
“A number of local companies have already utilised the new SWDs and the feedback received so far has indicated its effectiveness in monitoring company-owned vehicles.
“These SWDs were also used to monitor vehicle trips, including how the vehicles were being driven or operated such as harsh braking, harsh turning, stopping, and driver-related matters such as wearing a safety belt or otherwise while operating a vehicle.
“Alhamdulillah, several local companies decided to participate in the pilot project hosted by the Land Transport Department. Three companies supplied the SWDs and installed them on vehicles owned by eight different transport companies, starting today, for the duration of six months.
“A taskforce has been set up by the Land Transport Department to assess and review the effectiveness in the usage of the latest SWDs, and then to look at the following directions on the matter.”
Following the launch, the minister toured exhibition booths set up by the three companies supplying the IVMS technology. He also inspected the commercial vehicles which were fitted with the new SWDs.