Plus looks into drones to maintain road safety

Plus Malaysia Bhd may be adding another 11 Automated Awareness Safety System (Awas) cameras to the 19 existing ones along the North-South Expressway.

As reported, Plus will bear the estimated RM2 million installation cost and they need to discuss with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) on the latter picking up the annual maintenance costs.

Given the fact that 80 percent of traffic accidents are due to human factors such as speeding, perhaps Plus should explore the prospect of using drone technology to patrol the highways.

The JPJ could help set up the once popular police “Beat Bases” at laybys from where the drones could airborne.

Another option is to station patrol cars at strategic intervals to fly the drones covering several kilometres. This will save on fuel and vehicular maintenance costs.

If found to be cheaper in the long run, the company may even allow locals living near these highways to take in part-time drone operations to add to their income hence making drones a better option compared to the expensive Awas cameras.

There have also been suggestions that Plus should consider tying up with corporations to erect roadside billboards to improve road safety monitoring.

After all, making our country safer and secure is everybody’s business.

source: http://www.malaysiakini.com