Question 1: Automated Enforcement System (AES)

Problem statement/issues:
In Malaysia, traffic crashes are one of the major causes of injuries and fatalities. The
number of road crashes in 2012 was 449,040 which resulted in 6,917 deaths. These numbers
have been increasing since 2008. Speeding is one of the major causes of crashes, deaths and
injuries on the Nations roadways. Speeding has consistently been a contributing cause in
approximately 30 percent of all motor vehicles over the last 10 years. The primary reason for
managing traffic speed is safety. Hence, the Malaysian government is committed in reducing the
accident rate in this country by launching the first action plan on road safety called Road Safety
Plan 20062010 in March 2006. The plan was developed to reduce road crash deaths by focusing
on the 5Es strategy namely Engineering, Enforcement, Education, Environment and Evaluation.
The utilisation of technology for better and more effective enforcement was listed as one strategy
in the said plan. According to Stuster (1995), publicized police enforcement has been shown to
reduce vehicle travel speeds and crashes. However enforcement agencies do not have sufficient
resources to mount effective enforcement programmes. Therefore, Automated Enforcement
System (AES) system is introduced in speed management and effective countermeasure to
prevent speeding-related crashes.
Introduction to Automated Enforcement System (AES):
A system of automated traffic cameras known as the Automated Enforcement System
(AES) went into service across Malaysia in September. The AES camera has been installed at
accident black spots and other locations across the country in an attempt to halve the current
annual number of road accidents of four persons/10,000 vehicles. Based on the official portal of
Road Transport Department Malaysia, the AES is Necessitates adaptations of the enforcement
system to be sustainable in driving attitude changes regardless of the increase in number of
vehicles, drivers or constraints in enforcement. Other than that, AES is a system based approach
that could change the attitude of Malaysian drivers. AES is also a tracking system that
automatically records traffic offenses using sensors installed on the road and imaging system that

captures photo and video images of traffic violations. The AES implementation has been muted
since 2005 and the programme officially started in 23 September 2012. Although electronic
camera enforcement could serve many functions including bus lane, overloading vehicles,
multilane free flow, congestion pricing and tailgating, however in Malaysia, the cameras are
focus only on speed and red light running violation. The AES cameras placement was based on
historical crashes information obtained through the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) national
crashes database. Based on Sharifah Allyana et al. (2013), the locations are determined
scientifically for speeding and red light running crashes. Prior to the camera installation, several
things need to be considered including safety to road users. The AES cameras are located in
Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Perak states only at the early stage before the nationwide
implementation. The details of AES camera location is shown in Table 1 while Figures 1 and 2
show the location geographically. In both figures (1 and 2), the red represents locations for speed
camera while the blue marks represent locations of red light camera.
Table 1: AES camera locations

Location
KM 7 Jalan Maharajalela Teluk
Intan
KM 375.9 Slim River
KM 91 Jalan IpohButterworth
KM 85.5 Jalan IpohKuala
Lumpur
KM 204.6 Taiping Utara
KM 26 Jalan IpohKuala
Kangsar
Jalan Pasir Putih
KM D7.9 Sungai Besi
Jalan Persiaran Timur
KM 303.1 Kajang
Jalan Lebuh Sentosa
KM 6.6 Jalan Kajang / Puchong
Jalan Klang Lama
Jalan Ipoh

Road type

Camera type

Federal road

Mobile speed

Expressway
Federal road

Fixed speed
Mobile speed

Federal road

Fixed speed

Expressway

Fixed speed

Federal road

Fixed red light

State road
Expressway
Municipal road
Expressway
Municipal road
Expressway
Municipal road
Municipal road

Fixed red light

Mobile speed
Mobile speed
Fixed speed
Fixed speed
Fixed speed
Fixed red light
Fixed red light

Figure 1: AES camera locations in Perak

Figure 2: AES camera locations in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor

Typre of AES Camera:

Figure 3 shows the three types of AES camera used at the 14 locations. The fixed camera
for speed and red light can be installed either on the road shoulder or on the road median. Most
mobile AES units are based in vans or other vehicles that contain a full suite of system
components. This setup allows operators to easily transport all equipment and provides a safe
and comfortable environment for the operator. An alternative is to use ground-based mobile AES
equipment that is transported in a vehicle, but removed and set up on the roadside to operate.
Ground-based systems might be more feasible at locations where there is not enough room to
safely park a vehicle or where both front and rear photographs of offending vehicles are required.
An operator is typically present to monitor a mobile AES unit while it operates and often keeps a
log of information about the session and recorded violations. Mobile cameras are currently used
only for speed violation and could operate similar to fixed camera with the exception of
operational hour. Each camera installed together with the AES signboard. Fixed AES systems are
installed at locations where they can operate up to 24 hours per day without an operator present.
Fixed units are typically pole mounted on the roadside and can use either above ground or in
ground speed measuring equipment. Some fixed units are installed at intersections to conduct
both AES and red light camera enforcement simultaneously. A fixed AES system can provide a
very substantial deterrent effect, but the effect is generally restricted to a limited area upstream
and downstream of the unit. Fixed unit should only be installed at locations where dangerous
speeding and speeding related crashes are especially frequent, and locations where is unsafe or
infeasible to use a mobile unit. Figure 4 displays the AES signboard used for speed and red light
cameras. AES signboards are used to inform road users on the presence of the AES cameras.
Besides the signboard, there are other advocacy approaches such as TV and radio advertisement
and article in newspaper.

Figure 3: AES cameras; fixed speed camera, red light camera and mobile camera

Figure 4: AES camera signboards

Advantages/positive impact of Automated Enforcement System (AES):
The advantage of implementing the AES in our country is the ability to increase safety
for enforcement officers by implementing AES in areas where traditional stops are dangerous or
infeasible due to roadway design, the ability to continuously enforce the speed limit, and
reduction in traffic congestion sometimes caused by driver distraction at traffic stops. The
guidelines are intended to be accessible and inclusive, with an emphasis on presenting options
and describing advantages, particularly in increased traffic flow and reduced congestion. AES
increased the effectiveness of enforcement actions by detection and the issuance of summons in a

transparent, accurate and continuous manner. It reduces the number of deaths and the objectives
of this system which is to ensure the safety of road users will also be met. Therefore, the road
users must have a sense of awareness to drive safely and do not simply breaks the rules on the
road to prevent any dangerous incident happened. This enforcement system is safe, confidential,
trusted and continuously available. It is able to operate everyday in day and night, even in all
weather conditions. The enforcement officers do not have to manually record the offenses at the
side of the road all the time. AES can be used to enforce other offenses in the future, such as:

Crossing the double line;

Overtaking on the left side of the road;
Overloading;
Cut the queue;
Restrictions on heavy vehicles entering the city;
Enforcement of bus routes.

Figure 3: How AES Works (area covered by AES camera)

Figure 4: Picture Taken by AES Camera

Disadvantages/negative impact of Automated Enforcement System (AES):

There are several people among road users were dissatisfaction with this new
implementation system. It is because they feel that this system is not effective one and may give
lots of trouble to them. They have to pay the summons and have to obey the law while driving.
The issues concerning the inaccuracy of the JPJ database where some motorist who have sold
their cars long time ago still receive summonses for offences today, representatives of both
parties emphasized that they are not responsible for managing the database which held by the
JPJ. The companies are only responsible for sending out the validated summonses by registered
post to motorists on behalf of the JPJ, undoubtedly saving time and money for the government
agency. Another issue is that the AES system is privatization without tender. This project is a
jointly undertaken by the JPJ and two private companies with assistance from the Malaysian
Institute of Road Safety (MIROS). The privatization of the project is due to the high cost which
is believed to be at least RM 800 million. The two companies investing in the project expect to
get returns on their investment by taking a share of the money collected from fines.

Experience of implementation in other countries

Electronic enforcement system has been implemented in 90 other countries around the
world. In the Southeast Asia, Thailand and Vietnam have implemented a digital traffic
enforcement system. According to JPJ, In France, the mortality rate went down 27% in the first 3
years of the use of the automated enforcement system. Mean while in Germany, in the installed
locations, speed reduction has become a culture (vehicle speed reduction and compliance of 80%
at locations where speed sensor cameras are installed). In Kuwait, the rate of accidents decreased
by 48%. Several studies have evaluated the effectiveness of this Automated Enforcement System
in other countries. For example, CERTU (2001) reports that the speed camera have significantly
reduced crashes in Australia. In New South Wales, a 22% reduction in crashes was reported; in
Victoria, reduction of 30% in crashes o urban trunk roads and 34% in fatal collision were
achieved. Other than that, in United Kingdom, 35% reductions in fatalities and injuries were
observed at camera sites, with 56% reduction in pedestrian fatalities and injuries (Department of
Transport, 2003). Based on the data given, the AES system shows a very effective move in
reducing the problem of road accident and very effective in changing the attitude of the driver.
Best way to ensure that the implementation of AES is effective in Malaysia
Rather than focusing on the capabilities of current technologies, the emphasis on
identifying the functional requirements that technology must meet the guidelines remain relevant
as technologies evolve. It is important to explain the philosophy and strategy behind the AES
program through communications and marketing programs, public meeting and hearings. AES
should be described as a tool that can enhance the capabilities of traffic law enforcement and that
AES will supplement, rather replace traffic stops by law enforcement officers.
Other than that, public should be made aware that AES is used to improve the safety of
the road, not to generate revenue or investing in money by company. Ti is important to explain
how each element of the AES program puts safety first and how controls are in place to prevent
misuse of the system. AES program can be an effective supplement to traditional speed
enforcement operation as widespread knowledge of its use amplifies the enforcement programs
ability to reduce speeds and speeding related crashes.
References:

1. Organisation For Economic Co-Operation And Development (OECD) (2003), Road Safety:
Impact Of New Technologies, ISBN-92-64-10322-8.
2. Malaysian Institute Of Road Safety Research (MIROS) (2014), Impact Studies on Automated
Enforcement System Implementation, Research Report, Malaysia.
3. Official Portal of Road Transport Department Malaysia: http://www.jpj.gov.my
4. Non-published Article: Topic: Automated Enforcement System (AES) by Zulfadli Yusmar.