KUALA LUMPUR: UEM Edgenta Bhd is implementing the Road Asset Management System or RAMS, a next-generation solution in highway asset management and optimisation.
RAMS – a planning tool database which stores and presents road data information, planning of short and long-term road maintenance – is currently being used in all UEM Edgenta managed highways and roads in Malaysia totalling nearly 2,500km.
UEM Edgenta’s managing director/chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Merican explained RAMS allows one to prioritise which stretch of the highways or roads that require repairs and maintenance.
"RAMS’ data and information allows us to facilitate the decision-making process in a timely manner," he said.
"We are able to improve and prioritise in terms of optimal timing of maintenance works that are needed at a particular location.
"With RAMS, the target is to minimise the total cost of highway maintenance while at the same time ensure that the highways are safe for motorists,” he added.
Works Minister Baru Bian recently visited UEM Edgenta's head office. Among those who accompanied the minister are Work Ministry’s secretary general Datuk Dr. Syed Omar Sharifuddin Syed Ikhsan, Public Works Department director general Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Roslan Md Taha, Malaysian Highway Authority director general Datuk Seri Aziz Abdullah and Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) chief executive officer Datuk Ir. Ahmad Asri Abdul Hamid.
Azmir noted the technology incorporated in RAMS is also used to create budgets and maximises economic returns of the investments made for the highway and road network.
In the last three years, he said UEM Edgenta had spent more than RM100 million on capital expenditure to mechanise and automate, introduce new processes and adopt cutting-edge technology to improve on its service delivery.