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Ministry Tests New Safety Rolling-Barriers To Reduce Road Fatalities

Safety Rolling Barriers
Source: Malay Mail Online

Motorists travelling from Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang heading into Federal Highway would probably have noticed the bright yellow cylinders that act as a guardrail along the road. Those are the safety rolling-barrier system that could help to save lives.

The safety rolling-barrier system — consisting of a sturdy steel tube, between which plastic cylinders that act as shock-absorbers spin around its axis — have been placed at the 100m stretch along Subang highway. The rollers act by reducing the impact of collision and ensuring the vehicle remains on the road instead of veering off it.

It is the first in the country following the announcement made by the Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof where the ministry planned to install the safety rolling-barrier system at certain roads that are frequently exposed to accidents. The two-year pilot project as a way forward to elevate road safety standards.

The new guardrail was installed on Dec 7 and the structure was placed there as the area had been identified as a “black spot” following the number of accidents that have taken place due to the sharp bend.

“We will monitor the effectiveness of this guardrail for three months and prepare a report,” he said.

“Thus far, there have not been any accidents recorded there since the guardrail was installed.” he added.

Fadillah said the ministry was testing the effectiveness of the guardrail and if it produced positive results, the structure would be installed at other accident-prone areas on federal roads and expressways.

“We want to minimise the death toll caused by road accidents. We are willing to try new technologies to bring down the numbers,” he said.

The idea was inspired following his recent visit on a road safety conference in South Korea. The product known as “roller system” is manufactured by the ETI company from South Korea.

Source: Malay Mail Online