GEORGE TOWN: Penang's road management capabilities are set for a significant boost with the launch of the Road Asset Management System (SPAJa), Buletin Mutiara reported.
The system, developed by the Penang Public Works Department in collaboration with Selia Selenggara Sdn Bhd, is designed to enhance the efficiency of technical agencies in executing road maintenance works across the state.
During the official inauguration of SPAJa held on Sunday, state Infrastructure, Transportation, and Digital chairman Zairil Khir Johari highlighted the system as a pivotal development for technical agencies in Penang, offering a comprehensive state road data verification platform.
"SPAJa features four main modules that serve as references for related technical agencies. It captures and plots the coordinates of roads under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS) accessible via a web-based platform.
"Enhanced in 2021, SPAJa now includes a mobile version, 'SPAJa Mobile,' facilitating 'on the go' access to road data for agencies, regardless of their location or time," Zairil said at the launch.
Initiated in 2020, SPAJa's development began with the Road Data Observation Project for MARRIS Registration and Road Durability Study (HDM-4) for state roads in Penang.
Beyond recording road conditions, SPAJa assists in financial forecasting, repairs, and street furniture data, enabling agencies to perform more systematic and comprehensive repair works.
"Through SPAJa, agencies can assess road conditions and the necessary maintenance or repair timeframe, allowing for more effective planning.
"Additionally, to ensure the security of the data within the system, the database is housed at the Public Sector Data Centre managed by the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) in Kulim, Kedah," Zairil added.
Since its implementation, SPAJa has contributed to an increase in MARRIS funding, from RM183.36 million in 2019 to RM208.77 million, following extensive data observation, updates, and road registration within MARRIS.
Zairil expressed hope that SPAJa will be fully utilised by all agencies involved in state road maintenance in Penang. The system has already catalogued 6,450 kilometres of state roads across four phases.
"The adoption of SPAJa aligns with the Penang2030 vision of strengthening digital connectivity," Zairil said.