Mohd Noorazam (third from left) launching the LA21 Sustainability Education Programme awards at Menara MBJB in Johor Baru. On his right is Johor Education Department director Mohd Hanafi Samad.
Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) is planning to make its current traffic light system “smarter” by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI).
Johor Baru mayor Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman said the city council was currently transitioning into a new and improved traffic light system.
“MBJB wants to instal a smart traffic light system on major roads within our jurisdiction.
“We are currently in discussions with several parties over the matter.
“MBJB has the most number of road junctions among all local councils in Johor, at more than 200, and it will take some time for us to change to a smart traffic light system,” he said when met after handing out LA21 Sustainability Education Programme awards at Menara MBJB.
Mohd Noorazam said that once the new traffic light system was installed, it would be connected to the Johor Baru Integrated Operation Command Centre (JBIOCC).
“Our main focus will be roads that have high traffic volume.
“The new smart traffic light system would help MBJB better manage traffic flow within and around the city area,” he said.
At the awards ceremony, the mayor said more than 192 metric tonnes of recycled materials had been collected through the city council’s LA21 Sustainability Education Programme.
The programme involved 120 primary and secondary schools around Johor Baru, he said.
He added that within a year of holding the programme, the amount of carbon reduction also increased to 459,632kg in 2023 compared to 313,934kg the previous year.
Mohd Noorazam also said that a total of RM237,827 worth of water was saved by participating schools.
“This programme, which started in 2023, involves the participation of 83 primary schools and 37 secondary schools in the MBJB area,” he said.
Nine categories were contested – recycling of used cooking oil, recycling of used materials, cooperation in the use of compost waste, saving water, saving electricity, sustainable teachers, showcase schools, transition schools and new schools – with a cumulative prize allocation of RM501,000.
Mohd Noorazam said the programme was aimed at encouraging grassroots sustainability initiatives, with a focus on schools.
He said it was not a “one-off” programme but would be implemented continuously to have a positive impact on the environment.
“We will soon have a similar programme covering 24 MBJB councillor areas, so that the local community can be part of the sustainability agenda together.
“Sustainability is important because we are dealing with climate change and the worsening environment,” he added.
State housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor was reported to have said that four local councils within Greater Johor Baru would be upgrading their smart traffic light systems.
He added that the smart traffic lights would be installed at major roads, including hotspots such as at Senai International Airport.
