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Malaysia Targets Smart Highway Technology on Half of Its 34 Expressways
Malaysia wants its expressways to get smarter. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi says the target is to equip at least half of the country's 34 expressways with Smart Highway technology.
As reported by Malay Mail, citing Bernama, Nanta outlined the plan at a high-level roundtable during the 2026 Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress in Gangneung, South Korea, which runs from 19 to 23 October. The details were released in a Ministry of Works statement.
What Smart Highway would include
The goal is to improve road safety, traffic flow and transport efficiency. According to the minister, the technology would include:
- Artificial intelligence and smart CCTV systems.
- Detection and early-warning systems for high-risk incidents, including accidents.
- Solar-powered lighting.
- Digital mobility applications.
- Electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
A national traffic centre and free-flow tolls
Nanta said Malaysia is also prioritising a National Intelligent Traffic Management Centre (NITMC) to strengthen real-time monitoring, integrated data analysis and traffic management coordination.
Another key part is the Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) toll system, which lets vehicles pass toll plazas without stopping at barriers. The minister said this would reduce congestion and save travel time.
For drivers, the most visible change would be MLFF: passing through toll plazas without stopping at a barrier.
How it would be implemented
Nanta said the government is letting highway concessionaires and industry partners refine a business-to-business model under the oversight of the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA). The approach considers:
- Technological and commercial viability.
- System interoperability.
- Payment integration.
- Data security.
- Consumer protection.
The current focus is on finalising technical, operational and legal preparations before the proposal goes to the government for consideration and final approval. No timeline for the 50 per cent target was given in the report.
Cooperation with South Korea
Nanta also met South Korea's Second Vice-Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Jeong Eui-kyung. They discussed cooperation in road and highway infrastructure, construction technology and intelligent transport systems, and reviewed progress under a memorandum of understanding between the MHA and the Korea Expressway Corporation (KEC). The two agencies were scheduled to hold a follow-up session on 20 October.
The congress itself, themed "Beyond Mobility, Connected World", brings together about 60,000 participants from around 90 countries.
What it means for road users
If implemented, drivers could see fewer stops at toll plazas, faster detection of accidents and more EV charging points along expressways. Smart CCTV and AI-based systems also raise questions about how footage and data are handled, which is why the ministry's mention of data security and consumer protection matters. How MLFF tolls will be charged and enforced has not been detailed in this announcement.
The technology behind smart roads is similar to what businesses use in car parks and buildings. Our explainer on smart parking sensors shows how sensor networks guide drivers on private sites.
Questions still to be answered
The announcement sets a direction, but several practical questions will matter to motorists once more details emerge. How will tolls be charged under MLFF, and what happens if a vehicle's payment fails? How will existing toll accounts and cards fit into the new system? Which expressways will be upgraded first, and on what timeline? How long will CCTV footage be stored, and who will have access to it? The ministry's references to interoperability, payment integration, data security and consumer protection suggest these issues are being considered, but answers will come only when the proposal is finalised and approved.
It is also worth remembering that technology alone does not fix congestion. Smart systems can detect incidents faster and keep traffic moving more smoothly, but heavy demand at peak hours will still need public transport options and good planning.
Road users can follow updates from the Ministry of Works and the Malaysian Highway Authority, which are expected to share more details as the proposal moves forward.
For the wider economy, smoother expressways could reduce travel times for logistics companies and commuters alike, while EV charging along highways would make long-distance electric travel more practical. Solar-powered lighting may also help reduce running costs for operators. These potential benefits, together with safety gains from faster incident detection, explain why many countries are investing in intelligent transport systems, and why the ITS World Congress draws such a large international audience.
More details are expected once the proposal is submitted to the government.
FAQ
How many expressways are targeted?
At least 50 per cent of Malaysia's 34 expressways, according to the minister.
What is MLFF?
Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling, which lets vehicles pass toll plazas without stopping at barriers.
Has the plan been approved?
Not yet. Technical, operational and legal preparations are being finalised before the proposal goes to the government.
The Smart Highway push is ambitious. Its success will depend on getting concessionaires, payment systems and regulators aligned, and on winning road users' trust in how their data is used.