SEPANG: Highway concessionaires have been urged to study the prospect of offering free WiFi at all highway R&Rs throughout the country, said Works Minister Baru Bian today.
He added that the use and installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) at R&Rs must also be given serious consideration.
“I was also made understand that the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) has issued orders to highway concessionaires on the matter. Kudos LLM!” he said earlier.
AED is a life-saving medical device that can detect electrocardiographic (ECG) rhythms and administer electrical shocks if it detects abnormal ventricular rhythms.
The device’s voice commands tell the people resuscitating the victim what to do.
Baru also hoped the highway concessionaires adopt to latest technologies in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, to offer better services to the people.
He added that this was important to give effective and real time information to the people.
“Applications such as traffic management systems, Intelligence Traffic System (ITS), electronic signboards, smart navigation and information management systems, CCTV and GPS, among others must be made an important and effective medium to reduce traffic congestion along the highway,” he said.
He was met after officially opening the Bandar Serenia’s new interchange at KM35, located on the ELITE Highway.
Baru said with the opening of the new interchange, it would be a catalyst for the development of the areas around it.
“I believe with its strategic location, it can boost development in the areas around it and become an important and well known residential area on the ELITE highway stretch.
“The highway also connects and contributes to the country’s logistics industry where it connects sea ports and the airport,” he added.
The new interchange is located between the Nilai Utara and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Interchanges and will connect the ELITE Highway with Dengkil and Kota Warisan via Salak Tinggi-Putrajaya Road (FT 29).
PLUS chairman Tan Sri Mohd Sheriff Mohd Kassim said the highway was equipped with a 10-lane toll plaza, public restrooms, prayer rooms, rest huts, parking areas and others to provide more convenience for highway users.
He also explained that the RM108 million construction project was crucial to ease and reduce traveling time for those living in the Kota Warisan and Dengkil areas.
“Currently, the residents here are required to use the Nilai, KLIA and Putrajaya Interchanges to enter the highway.
“The new interchange will also speed up development in these areas,” he added.
Meanwhile, PLUS managing director Datuk Azman Ismail who was also present earlier said Seremban south-bound R&R was set to become the first to offer free WiFi.
“Refurbishing work is currently underway at the R&R. We will also offer free Internet as part of the new facilities.
“Work is expected to be completed by next year. Other R&Rs will also offer free WiFi subsequently,” he added.