System to curb heavy vehicle overloading ready early next year, says Transport Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: A system to improve enforcement on overloaded heavy vehicles is being developed and expected to be completed early next year, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

The Transport Ministry said the High Speed-Weigh in Motion (HS-WIM) system would allow enforcement against heavy vehicles to be done in real-time without requiring the vehicle to stop for weighing.

“Increasing the efficiency of enforcement on vehicle loads through the system will reduce road damage and the risk of accidents,” it said in a parliamentary written reply today.

The ministry said overloaded heavy vehicles are among the culprits damaging roads, and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) periodically studies mechanisms to tackle this.

Dr Halimah Ali (PN-Kapar) wanted to know the ministry's measures to tackle road damage around ports.

Halimah also asked about steps taken by the Port Klang Authority to handle traffic congestion near Northport following the increase of RoRo (roll-on, roll-off) cargo and heavy vehicles.

The ministry said the port authority had a reservation system for container pickup and delivery at the port terminal and empty container depot.

“Road maintenance works were also carried out under the port authority's matching grant," it said, adding that the works on eight stretches of road are scheduled for completion by December.

They are Persiaran Raja Muda Musa; Jalan Pintasan Selat Klang Utara; Jalan Pelabuhan Utara; Jalan Lingkaran Pulau Indah; Jalan Pelabuhan Utara-Barat; Lebuhraya Pulau Indah; Jalan Industri Pandamaran; and Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad.

According to the ministry, 3.58 million heavy vehicles entered and exited Port Klang in 2022, increasing to 3.82 million last year.

It said the port authority would look into ways to restrict heavy vehicle travel outside peak hours to minimise congestion; and work with the Land and Mines Office to identify suitable locations for new rest stops and areas for breakdowns along the main routes into Port Klang.

“At the same time, the Works Ministry is also upgrading roads around the port,” it said.

The Transport Ministry was referring to the stretch from Jalan Pelabuhan Utara at the Klang Container Terminal to Northport in Port Klang.

Another project was the building and upgrading of Phase 3 of Lingkaran Pulau Indah, it added.