Sarawak Traffic Lights Go Fully Smart — 367 Sets Upgraded, Traffic Congestion Set to Improve.
Sarawak is undertaking a statewide traffic system upgrade, transforming all 367 traffic lights across the state into connected, coordinated smart traffic lights.
With the increasing number of vehicles and growing congestion at intersections, smart traffic systems have become essential for improving road efficiency and safety. So far, 183 traffic lights have been upgraded, and the remaining 184 sets are scheduled for installation, creating a fully connected smart traffic network across the state.
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Smart Traffic Light Upgrade — Project Highlights
Project Overview
• Total target: Upgrade 367 traffic lights
• Completed: 183 sets
• Pending upgrade: 184 sets
• Responsible agencies: Sarawak Ministry of Transport, Public Works Department (JKR)
• Upgrade focus: Connectivity, coordinated signals, intelligent traffic management
• Main objective: Reduce congestion, optimize traffic flow, improve efficiency
The project has entered an accelerated phase, with all intersections gradually being connected into a unified smart system. Traffic lights will communicate with each other and automatically adjust timing based on traffic flow.
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Completed Upgrades — Kuching Leads
The distribution of completed upgrades is as follows:
• Kuching: 95 sets (highest in Sarawak)
• Miri: 31 sets
• Bintulu: 22 sets
• Sibu: 12 sets
• Samarahan: 9 sets
• Sri Aman: 4 sets
• Central Sarawak: Sibu Jaya 6 sets, Mukah 2 sets
• Limbang: 1 set
• Kapit: 1 set
Kuching leads the progress due to having the most critical intersections, while other major cities are steadily catching up.
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How Smart Traffic Lights Will Make a Difference
1. Smoother traffic flow
Lights automatically adjust based on traffic volume instead of fixed timings, allowing vehicles to move faster during peak hours.
2. Reduced fuel consumption
Less idling at intersections lowers fuel usage and emissions.
3. Faster passage for emergency vehicles
Ambulances, fire trucks, and other emergency vehicles receive priority access, improving response times.
4. More precise regional traffic management
Networked systems allow traffic management centers to monitor real-time conditions and adjust intersections instantly.
As upgrades continue, traffic management will become more efficient, giving road users a smoother, time-saving driving experience.
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Government and Local Cooperation Accelerates Progress
The Ministry of Transport, JKR, and local authorities are working closely to speed up upgrades, prioritizing:
• High-traffic intersections
• Accident-prone areas
• Regions with severe peak-hour congestion
The aim is to form a coordinated smart traffic network statewide, enhancing overall road mobility.
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The Future of Traffic in Sarawak
This upgrade is more than just traffic lights — it marks Sarawak’s step toward:
• Smart cities
• Intelligent traffic management
• High-efficiency road systems
Once all 367 traffic lights are fully smart, Sarawak’s urban traffic will enter a new era of smoother, more efficient, and intelligent road management.
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Which intersection in your city do you think should be upgraded first?
