SHAH ALAM, May 25 — Heavy vehicles carrying loads beyond the permitted limit have been identified as among the main causes of severe road damage across Selangor.
Selangor Public Works Department (JKR) director Shukri Ishak said the situation had caused road repair and upgrading costs to continue rising each year.
“One of the main factors contributing to road damage is overloaded vehicles. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Road Transport Department for carrying out operations to ensure only lorries complying with load limits are allowed on the roads.
“We see that overloaded lorries only reduce the lifespan of roads. When the lifespan shortens, the government is forced to incur additional costs to carry out improvement works.
“The second factor causing road damage is excavation work carried out by utility companies. JKR has conducted an assessment session involving utility contractors carrying out works, where reinstatement and resurfacing must comply with established standards,” he told Media Selangor.
Shukri explained that utility contractors failing to comply with the guidelines, including proper resurfacing requirements, could face legal action.
“We want the right man to do the right job. Warnings are issued if contractors carry out works without informing JKR. We found some parties did not notify district JKR offices and when accidents occur, JKR ends up being blamed.
“Engagement sessions have been conducted and we hope the matter can be resolved properly,” he said.
At the same time, Shukri said the department was studying plans to expand the use of special fibre imported from the US to improve road durability and extend road lifespan.
“This special fibre will be mixed into resurfacing materials. We have already used it at several locations in Klang and so far the results have been positive, with maintenance becoming less frequent and roads lasting longer.
“JKR is also always open to collaborating with companies offering new technologies and methods. So far, we have received a lot of feedback and are currently conducting evaluations,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said a total of RM159 million had been allocated under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS) fund to carry out road maintenance works this year.
“Selangor JKR is heavily using AI technology, especially in road maintenance works. Through the State Government subsidiary, Infrasel, vehicles equipped with the Road Asset Management and Maintenance System are being used.
“These vehicles use cameras that can travel along designated routes and detect all data involving road surfaces. Previously, officers had to ride motorcycles and stop to take photographs, but now cameras can capture complete data on road surfaces.
“This data produces analyses of potholes and road defects, which are then integrated directly into the JKR system. We can view on-screen which routes have damaged surfaces, while AI generates suitable control methods,” he said.
He added that the technology, which has been used over the past two years, had helped speed up road maintenance processes by more than 90 per cent compared with previous methods.
