Washed over: Vehicles wading through flash floods along Jalan Semangat in Section 13, Petaling Jaya. — File pic
PETALING JAYA: A coordinated approach on mapping flooded roads will help authorities make contingency plans and keep users informed on avoiding deluged routes, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and a road traffic expert.
They said such a coordinated approach using real-time data would help guide motorists to other routes and prevent drivers from taking last-minute risks to brave the floodwaters.
When contacted, Nadma said it currently gathers information on road closures from the Public Works Department (JKR) and public complaints.
“The public can check traffic situations through portalbencana.nadma.gov.my.
“It lists out road closures as reported by JKR.
“It also reports flooded areas so that motorists can plan their journeys and find alternate routes,” it added.
Checks on the portal showed basic information on road closures with minimal explanation as to why they were closed or impassable.
Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua, head of the Road Safety Research Centre, Engineering Faculty at Universiti Putra Malaysia, called for an improved detection system to predict flooded roads using real-time data.
“Road flooding predictions save lives, infrastructure and money.
“Flooded roads make driving dangerous and increase the risk of accidents and drowning.
“Early warnings can help authorities plan traffic detours, reducing risks and enabling easier evacuation work.
“They also minimise economic impact by preventing disruptions caused by road closures and traffic delays, which affect businesses and supply chains.”
Law added that flood projections can improve crisis management by using emergency resources more effectively and allowing faster evacuations.
Environmental damage brought about by floods can be reduced as well, he said.“Predicting floods ultimately heightens public awareness, thereby encouraging preparedness and readying communities for an effective response,” he added.
Law, who created the Automatic Road Incident Detection System (Arids), said he has tweaked it to “forecast deluges through real-time analysis of vehicular movement on thoroughfares and highways”.
“This system was primarily intended for pinpointing road crashes but it has now been revamped to pinpoint flood-hit zones,” he added.
He said floodwaters on a road renders travel conditions impassable for vehicles, bringing traffic to a standstill.
“Arids detects a notable absence of traffic signals, then it flags areas as prone to flooding under certain conditions and continuously tracks the traffic flow of flood-prone states.
“It provides real-time updates that enable authorities to respond earlier and manage the rerouting of traffic.
“The flood detection systems monitor traffic patterns and trigger alerts when roads are impassable due to rising water levels.
“Weather forecasts and river levels also help predict floods and help in making preparations for traffic rerouting,” he added.
Law also said the real-time data is used by traffic management centres such as highway authorities to quickly close roads and manage rerouting.
“They control traffic signals and variable message signs to guide drivers to safer routes.
“Road closures can then be marked with signs, barriers and traffic cones, while drivers are directed to alternative routes through GPS, traffic apps and public transit adjustments,” he said.
On Dec 13, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said the total cost for repairing roads damaged by the first wave of floods triggered by the northeast monsoon has been estimated at RM312.1mil.
He said the estimated figure includes RM247mil for federal road maintenance, RM40.3mil for federal road slope repairs and RM24.8mil for state roads.
Meanwhile, Law also said artificial intelligence (AI)-powered systems can improve the efficiency of traffic law enforcement by identifying violations such as speeding, running red lights and illegal parking. Fines can then be automatically issued.
“This automated process minimises human error and bias, ensuring fairer and more consistent enforcement.
“Furthermore, real-time data processing capabilities enables the Road Transport Department (JPJ) to swiftly identify and address high-risk areas, such as accident-prone roads and congested zones,” he added.
However, he acknowledged that with AI technology and increased surveillance, concerns about data privacy may arise.
“It is crucial that JPJ ensures strict data protection measures are in place to protect personal information captured through AI systems.
“Transparency about how data will be used and stored is essential to maintain public trust,” said Law.
