JPJ should adopt ANPR system in place of roadblocks to reduce congestion, improve effectiveness – Loke

Transport minister Anthony Loke has said the road transport department (JPJ) must adopt a new approach to roadblocks to reduce congestion and improve effectiveness, reports Bernama.

Loke pointed out that current physical roadblocks often resulted in severe traffic congestion, especially when roads are narrowed down to just one or two lanes, which can lead to long delays and public frustration. “I don’t want to see JPJ setting up roadblocks after toll plazas, turning six lanes into one. People will get angry. That’s an outdated approach. JPJ must also change and adopt smarter methods,” he said.

One possible solution to this issue is to use automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology to perform vehicle checks without stopping traffic. “With today’s technology, we can integrate the ANPR system operated by PLUS with JPJ’s MySikap system. Through inter-agency data sharing, enforcement can be more comprehensive and effective without relying on physical roadblocks,” Loke explained.

ANPR is currently used by PLUS Malaysia for its open payment tolling system and relies on cameras to identify a vehicle’s registration number. By integrating with MySikap, ANPR can not only streamline toll collection but also allow authorities to automatically verify road tax and insurance status, and identify stolen or unregistered vehicles.

Loke also said such an approach aligns with a whole-of-government strategy that promotes cross-ministerial cooperation and breaks down operational silos to improve public service efficiency.