MLFF won’t totally eliminate highway congestion but will ensure smoother traffic flow – transport consultant

MLFF won’t totally eliminate highway congestion but will ensure smoother traffic flow – transport consultant

While the multi-lane fast flow (MLFF) toll collection system will not completely eliminate traffic congestion on highways, it will significantly reduce vehicle congestion at toll booths and contribute to smoother traffic flow on the whole, says a transport consultant.

According to My Mobility Vision founder Wan Agyl Wan Hassan, the MLFF should be viewed as a part of a larger canvas that is an integrated traffic management system. “While I agree that the MLFF alone isn’t a silver bullet for all congestion issues, it is important to recognise its significant contribution in easing congestion specifically at toll plazas,” he told FMT.

“By removing physical toll booths, vehicles maintain a more consistent speed, which can drastically reduce localised bottlenecks and improve overall traffic flow. MLFF should be seen as a vital component within a holistic traffic management strategy rather than the sole solution to highway congestion,” he said, adding that many major cities have successfully adopted such an integrated approach.

The opinion was in response to last week’s statement made by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which said that the implementation of MLFF would not fully resolve traffic congestion on highways. The PAC recommended that the government conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis before proceeding with the RM3.46 billion project.

Wan Agyl agreed with the PAC’s call for a thorough study on the project, saying it was important to ensure transparency in procurement and address potential financial burdens in any major infrastructure project. However, he maintained that it was important for the MLFF project to continue.

MLFF won’t totally eliminate highway congestion but will ensure smoother traffic flow – transport consultant

“This balanced approach – acknowledging both the strengths of MLFF and the need for comprehensive congestion management – aligns with the best global practices and ensures that we harness technology to improve our transport infrastructure effectively,” he said.

MDS Consultancy MD Rosli Azad Khan was also in support of the project, saying it would reduce travel time, improve fuel efficiency for road users and lower operational costs for toll operators. He however added that the government needs to get the automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system up and running first and ensure it was working effectively before moving on to MLFF.

He said this would allow the authorities to iron out any kinks in the system, but stressed that its operational aspects should remain under the purview of authorities. “The government must not privatise the ANPR function, as only a government department has the legal authority to implement this system,” he explained.

Earlier this month, the government said it had received several ideas and proposals on MLFF and was looking into them. Separately, deputy works minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan revealed that MLFF would likely not be implemented as a single system across all highway concessions in the country, but instead in stages, with PLUS expected to lead the way in with its own version.

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • Bob Mal on Feb 24, 2025 at 12:33 pm

    Bottle Neck Bottle – too much cars

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
    • Dah Menang Semua on Feb 24, 2025 at 5:40 pm

      Weekend just ago
      Saw both tolls on NPE jammed
      >2km due to RFID not working

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Not only toll make traffic worst. Actually the merger lane is the main point as well. When reach toll lane from 3 to 6 after exit toll form 6 to 2. With Malaysia driving behaviour there is no polite driving, no give way, no mercy when drive on the road.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • hijaukau on Feb 24, 2025 at 8:57 pm

    Dah tu, apa faedah kau gi buat? buat habis duit rakyat je. Kau nak kurangkan congestion naikkan harga kereta, naikkan tol.

    Cukai dari naikkan harga kereta dan tol, kau improve connectivity public transport dan subsidize keluarge b40 m40 RM300 sebulan untuk naik public transport, duit tu termasuk boleh pakai untuk naik grab dan ehailing lain.

    Memang tak popular dan kau boleh jadi kerajaan sepenggal. Geng2 T20 oil and gas yang pakai bag lv, berkin, gouyard petaling street mesti tak suka, sebab dorang tak dapat apa.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • opmanmy on Feb 25, 2025 at 8:15 am

    Ya lor…too much cars. Even banning lorries from highways at certain hours are not much effect. Just remove the petrol subsidy altogether. Then, sure lots of people will travel by public transport. No need those banning lorries la…and whatever congestion charges plan etc. etc. Also, bank negara should regulate the car loan requirement. Max 5 years loan. Now got 9 or 11 years loan…crazy. Car is not an investment.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • Whatever necessary. Just do it

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • PH janji abolish toll mana? on Feb 25, 2025 at 9:53 am

    Why is this still being talked if PH had intention to fulfill their promise above?
    If they are lying they must step down NOWWW!!!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 3
  • Isaac31 on Feb 26, 2025 at 2:36 pm

    How about removing the toll altogether? The money collected from toll concessionaires doesn’t go into improving the roadways just pocketed by the greedy owners. Then always cause jams by doing useless work such as cutting grass.
    Better focus on improving public transport like Singapore then there wouldn’t be much of a need for regular working people to drive cars so much for work.
    Also one more thing make inspections and enforcements for lorries stronger, everyday can see lorries and buses using the first lane on highway doing 110-120km/h, by right their speed should be up to 80/90km/h max. Also they swerve into lanes without signal and cars have to break hard to avoid being crushed into the barries.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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