PLUS now using AI to alert users to traffic jams

By THE STAR | 25 June 2019


PETALING JAYA: PLUS Malaysia Bhd is planning to use artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics and the cloud to better predict traffic congestion and monitor the safety on its highways.

The company is partnering with Microsoft to use its Azure platform, which will allow it to store and analyse traffic data from its closed-circuit television (CCTV) for traffic jams.

The information will then be passed to users via the PLUS mobile app so they can plan their journey better.

“The images displayed are based on real-time information and users will be informed on actual situations on location as we will refresh and update the data every 10 seconds,” said PLUS managing director Datuk Azman Ismail.

"As our highway networks continue to expand across Malaysia, servicing an ever-growing number of road users, we acknowledge the need to not just digitally transform, but to also embrace a new organisation culture."

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He added PLUS will also be installing more traffic sensors along the highway to help improve its traffic prediction system.

“We will look at scenarios and trigger points to inform us if there will be traffic congestion or other unusual traffic movements,” he said.

He hopes the data provided via the app will help users to make informed decisions such as taking a different suggested route or using the Rest Stop.

PLUS chief technology and innovation officer Shamsul Izhan Abdul Majid said the company is also using machine learning to analyse CCTV footage for stalled cars and accidents, but it's still in the pilot stage.

“The traditional approach is when a user sees a congestion or an accident, they will contact the PLUS call centre for help or to get information. The CCTV is only used for validation,” he said.

“But with machine learning, our CCTV will be able to detect certain incidents first and allow us to quickly act on it instead of waiting for a user to contact us.”

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Microsoft Malaysia managing director K. Raman and Azman (right) announcing the partnership between the two companies.
Microsoft Malaysia managing director K. Raman (left) and Azman announcing the partnership between the two companies.


New features such as enhanced traffic information will be added gradually to the mobile app in various stages, said Izhan.

Over 1.7 million vehicles use PLUS highways on a daily basis, which includes the North-South Expressway (NSE), New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), and the Penang Bridge.

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