How three highway concessionaires maintain motorcycle lanes

PETALING JAYA: Regular maintenance and inspections are done to ensure motorcyclists' safety, say three highway concessionaires of their motorcycle lanes.

In a statement, Projek Lintasan Kota Sdn Bhd (Prolintas) said inspections and highway patrols at Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE) were part of its routine activities.

"We ensure there is adequate lighting, safety signs are placed and immediate repair work is carried out.

"We also hold motorcycle safety awareness campaigns such as the recent one at Elmina North in collaboration with the Selangor Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department and Selangor police.

"A total of 13 sheltered rest stops are available along the lane for motorcyclists to take cover during rains.

"A consulting engineer has also been appointed to conduct a Level 5 Highway Safety Audit every three years along GCE, including the motorcycle lanes, to ensure the safety standards are met," said Prolintas.

According to Prolintas, crashes on the motorcycle lane were caused by rider negligence, with most losing control at corners.

"Several locations have been identified as crash hotspots and chevron strips have been installed on the road to enhance motorcyclists' awareness.

"We also collaborate with Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) to implement advocacy and road safety campaigns for motorcyclists," Prolintas said.

Meanwhile, Kesas Sdn Bhd (Kesas), which maintains Shah Alam Expressway, said its routine maintenance includes road surface restoration, pavement rehabilitation, drainage maintenance, grass cutting and the removal of roots and tree pruning.

"Daily inspections identify road surface problems, malfunctioning streetlights, traffic conditions and street lighting on both the motorcycle lanes and tunnels.

"A Road Safety Audit (RSA) is carried out every three years, in line with the requirements set by the Malaysian Highway Authority," the statement said.

Motorcyclists are prohibited from using Kesas highway from 6am to 11pm daily as gazetted in the Road Transport (Prohibition of Use of Road) (Shah Alam Expressway) Order 2010, which took effect on May 19, 2010.

"We work with the police's Expressway Mobile Patrol Vehicle (EMPV) team to patrol the highway daily and summonses are issued to those who violate the restricted hours.

"As of September this year, 2,127 summonses were issued, while 4,178 summonses were issued for similar violations last year.

"We have also conducted 94 roadblocks last year and another 58 this year (as of September)," said Kesas.

Kesas said attributed crashes on motorcycle lanes to various factors such as speeding, reckless riding, motorcycle conditions, pavement conditions and environmental influences.

"We continuously monitor and address pavement conditions at motorcycle lanes and increased the number of motorcycle shelters along the lanes from 17 shelters.

"To encourage motorcyclists to use the designated motorcycle lanes, we have also installed 15 additional advisory signs along the lanes," the statement said.

Meanwhile, Public Works Department (JKR), in a statement, said Works Ministry (KKR) had allocated RM2.7mil this year for maintenance works at Federal Route 2, the code name of Federal Highway.

The scope includes periodic maintenance of pavements, drainage, signboards as well as cleanliness and landscape-related upkeeping.

"Drainage maintenance is carried out four times a year while grass cutting is conducted 12 times a year.

"JKR Malaysia, through JKR Selangor, also installed solar LED lights in the motorcycle lanes but vandalism has caused some of the lights to malfunction.

"JKR Selangor patrols the lanes three times a week to ensure the lights are functioning properly," the statement added.

Monitoring works will be further stepped up to reduce the risk of accidents in the motorcycle lanes with the northeast monsoon, said JKR.

It said RM120,000 had been allocated this year to maintain the drains in the lanes as part of flood mitigation procedures.

"The drains are periodically maintained by appointed concession companies.

"Other mitigation steps such as signboard installation and traffic diversion are also done as part of monitoring works in flood hotspots," it said.

KKR, through JKR Malaysia, is also reviewing the geometrical design of the motorcycle lanes, according to the statement.

"The aspects being studied include the width of the lanes and their shoulders as well as their radius curve.

"Other necessities such as the addition of chevron strips and widening of road shoulders in some strategic spots are also considered," the statement read.

Public can file complaints on motorcycle lanes through various channels including the free MyJalan app developed by KKR.