Industry Players Urged To Use AI, Digital Technology For Road Maintenance

GOMBAK, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- Industry players have been urged to adopt digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the efficiency of road maintenance while optimising costs and avoiding excessive spending.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the innovative approach is crucial to balancing the government’s financial constraints while upgrading the country’s road infrastructure.

“We need to be more innovative and resourceful in using digital technology, AI and other tools. This can help us reduce the amount of funding required while improving efficiency in road construction and maintenance,” he said.

He told reporters this when commenting on the ministry’s efforts to improve road infrastructure safety after officiating at the groundbreaking ceremony for the third tunnel and the widening of the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway here today.

Nanta said priority must be given to the quality of road maintenance, as much of the country’s road infrastructure has aged and is no longer adequate to cope with modern heavy-vehicle traffic.

Nanta said investment in improving road infrastructure and safety is not merely physical spending, but a critical government measure to save road users’ lives.

According to him, the move supports the Cabinet Committee on Road Safety and Congestion, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, on developing targeted measures to reduce fatal road accidents.

On road accident figures, Nanta said statistics released by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) are worrying.

“MIROS statistics show that 18 people lose their lives in road accidents across the country every day. This is why the government is committed to reducing accidents and saving lives,” he said.

-- BERNAMA