Monday, 5 November 2012

THE AUTOMATED ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM (AES)



The AES is a computerized camera-based traffic system which captures high resolution photos and video of vehicles speeding along targeted accidents-prone areas or running red light at selected traffic light junctions and issues summonses accordingly to offenders, began on September 23, 2012 with 14 cameras installed in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Perak. This is a small number of the 831cameras to be installed nationwide at accident-prone areas to make people drive safer, and bring the number of road accidents and fatalities down.


 The RM300 summons issues under the AES is non-negotiable. If you commit the offence, you pay because the camera and video images are unquestionable evidence. While some people have welcomed to move to rein in the bahaviour of reckless road users, there are others who are angry and complain bitterly that this will burden the people.

Every year a million new vehicles are added on the roads and there are half a million new drivers. While the road infrastructure is developing, it is not at the same pace as the number of new vehicles and new drivers, and the number of accidents and deaths just keeps going up. In Malaysia, there is an average of 18 to 19 deaths daily from road accidents. The implementation of the AES does not mean there will no longer be accidents or deaths on the road but it is and additional measures that can help reduce the number. For example, in France, it took three years before they saw a drop. It takes time to change the people’s mindset. 

The AES camera is not like the police camera because AES camera is there 24-7, rain or shine. So no matter what time, if you speed, you will get the summons. Each lane has its own separate loop and there are radar sensors on the ground to get the signals. The distance in the AES zone is fixed and by getting the calibrated time each car passes, it can easily calculate the speed at which each is going and pick out which ones are speeding. For the AES camera at traffic light, if a car passes when the light is amber but changes to red halfway through, the camera will not register this as an offence. It is only an offence if the car crosses after the traffic light has turned red.
 
For South Peninsular Malaysia, the AES cameras and technology will be provided by Redflex Traffic Systems of Australia while in the north as well as Sabah and Sarawak, they will provide by JenOptik Robot from Germany. Beta Tegap Sdn Bhd is the local partner for the Redflex deal while Ates Sdn Bhd ties up with JenOptik for the job to install 831 high resolution cameras nationwide.


There are already at least five AES detector apps available for free for the smartphone. One of the popular ones is the “AES Detector”, which has been downloaded 100, 000 times so far! It was developed by Kevin Chua, and it promises to assist drivers to detect an AES camera within 1km from their present spot and asks that people turn on the speakers on their mobile phone in order to hear the AES alert. 

The Road Transport Department (RTD), Malaysia decided to progress the installation of the Automated Enforcement System (AES) cameras at 831 locations nationwide before the end of next year to enhance safety measure for the road commuters. Despite the acts of vandalism occurring and opposition towards its implementation,  the implementation would not be put on hold. The cameras were installed to save human lives and all parties should give their cooperation. If everyone understands the reason behind the installation, there will be no questions about the implementation.  
 
Type
  • Speed light camera
  • Camera at accident area/Dangerous corner
  • Red light camera
Locations
Speed light cameras
  • Km 7 Jalan Maharajalela (Federal Route 58), Teluk Intan (90 km/h, 56 mph)
  • Km 376 North-South Expressway Northern Route (E1), Slim River (110 km/h, 68 mph)
  • Km 91 Jalan Ipoh—Butterworth (Federal Route 1) (60 km/h, 37 mph)
  • Km 85.5 Jalan Ipoh—Kuala Lumpur (Federal Route 1) (90 km/h, 56 mph)
  • Km 376 North-South Expressway Northern Route (E1), Taiping North (110 km/h, 68 mph)
  • Km 7.7 Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Expressway (E2), Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur (80 km/h, 50 mph)
  • Along Persiaran Timur, Putrajaya (80 km/h, 50 mph)
  • Km 301.9 North-South Expressway Southern Route (E2), Kajang (90 km/h, 56 mph)
  • Along Lebuh Sentosa, Putrajaya (70 km/h, 43 mph)
  • Km 6.6 South Klang Valley Expressway (Phase 1, E26) (90 km/h, 56 mph)
Accident areas or dangerous corners
  • Km 26 Jalan Ipoh—Kuala Kangsar (Federal Route 1) (Sungai Siput)
Red light cameras
  • Jalan Pasir Putih, Ipoh near TNB
  • Along Jalan Klang Lama, Kuala Lumpur
  • Along Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur
 (For the full list of 831 AES camera spot, u can view Official Portal of Road and Transport Department Malaysia at http://www.jpj.gov.my/lokasi-kamera-aes). 
  


Souces: Sunday Star, 4 November 2012
           : wikipedia