Reveal tests before reopening ‘green’ m-cycle lane, urges expert

A road safety expert has urged the public works department (JKR) to disclose the safety test results for the green surface used for the Federal Highway’s motorcycle lane near Subang Jaya before reopening it to motorcyclists.

Rozmi Ismail of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said the results, particularly on the grip level on wet surfaces, were crucial to ensure the lane is truly safe after several motorcyclists reportedly skidded during light rain recently.

Rozmi said regular asphalt surfaces help generate grip, whereas materials like paint, cement, or flatter composite layers can become slippery when wet.

“The use of any new material for road surfaces must undergo strict tests by JKR, similar to how vehicles need to be approved by the road transport department (JPJ).

“When an accident occurs, the route must be closed temporarily until an investigation is completed.

“If proven safe, reveal the investigation results. If it’s dangerous, stop using this green surface,” he told FMT.

JKR has temporarily closed the section of the motorcycle lane in question after several motorcyclists crashed while passing through the route in wet conditions.

Law Teik Hua of Universiti Putra Malaysia said a road surface that meets all specifications may not necessarily be safe to use in all conditions.

“The key question that JKR needs to answer is not just whether this road surface has been tested, but what type of tests were conducted and what were the skid resistance values obtained in both wet and dry conditions.

“The data also needs to be compared with the regular asphalt surface on the adjacent road to determine whether the green layer provides sufficient grip,” he said.

Law said these results should form the basis for determining whether the section is safe to reopen for motorcyclists or requires modifications.