INGENIEUR
INGENIEUR
congestion, reduce traffic accidents and mitigate environmental externalities generated by road transport. The secretariat is currently developing model intelligent transport systems for the Asian Highway network and promoting best practices on such deployments among member States.
Members States may wish to put greater attention on a more energy-efficient and environment friendly road sector, in particular through the development of intelligent transport systems.
Cross-Sectoral Infrastructure Synergies
The Committee on Transport at its fourth session expressed appreciation to the secretariat for having created the conditions for cross-sectoral co-operation through the organisation of the first joint session with the Committee on Information and Communications Technology.
The Committee noted that, in building a terrestrial meshed network of fibre, there was a strong incentive to leverage synergies across infrastructure sectors, notably that of transport. The Committee noted that a number of good practices already existed in the ESCAP region, resulting in win-win outcomes, including additional revenues for the host utilities and cheaper and more extensive fibre deployment, which would contribute to improved access to ICT at national and regional levels.
The Committee also noted the need to consider legislation at the national level to encourage open access to passive communication infrastructure, including that to be deployed along the Asian Highway and Trans-Asian Railway networks.
To promote synergies among ICT, energy and transport infrastructures, the Committee recommended that consideration should be given to amendments to the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Trans-Asian Railway Network and the Intergovernmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network, which would include provisions for the co-deployment of fibre infrastructure along road and railway networks.
The Committee further recommended that issues related to such amendments be dealt with through future meetings of the working groups on the Asian Highway and Trans-Asian Railway networks, as established under the respective agreements.
Issues for Consideration
Further guidance on policies and approaches may be provided in relation to:
( a) developing and upgrading the Asian Highway, including new technologies, such as intelligent transport systems;( b) updating the Asian Highway database;( c) improving road safety in the region;( d) developing dry ports;( e) improving linkages of the Asian Highway routes with local communities and economies; and
( f) aligning future development of the road sector with sustainable development goals.
The Malaysian Context
Two of the Asian Highways’ routes which pass through Peninsula Malaysia are AH2 and AH18 in the north-south direction. With the rising number of road accidents and fatalities at local road networks, the Government has recently announced the implementation of the Automated Awareness Safety System and Kejara Demerit Points System, the standardization of of the maximum permitted weight of commercial vehicles, evaluation of road safety and accident investigation of East Coast Expressway 2 and the recommendations on improvement, and the execution of the International Road Safety Assessment Programme( IRAP) in Malaysia and implementation of its framework. The implementation of Malaysia Road Safety Plan 2014 – 2020 will also be reviewed. It is important that Malaysian engineers take cognizance of Asian Highway’ s road design and policies in ensuring a safe and smooth ride for road users.
Source: ESCAP Working Group on the Asian Highway-“ Policies and issues relating to the development of the Asian Highway”.
28 VOL 66 APRIL- JUNE 2016