MIROS International Research Collaboration Meeting at RIOH Beijing China

I've just returned to Malaysia after two-day visit to RIOH in Beijing, China. RIOH's staffs were such a warm people and treated us well. Later, after finish our discussion on research collaboration between MIROS and RIOH, Dr Jioa Chengwu take us walking in places around Beijing like the Olympic Stadium of Bird Nest, Water Cube and many more. Below are some of the pictures I took. Will upload more later on.

Cameron Highland's Crash Report Submitted to AG's Chambers

Many people asked, "What has MIROS done for the past years?". I think the best answer is this, CRASH RECONSTRUCTION, the first in the nation, and leading organization in South East Asia (angkat bakul betul kekeke).

KUALA LUMPUR: The report by the independent inquiry board investigating the double-decker bus crash in Cameron Highlands last year has been submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers, said Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha.

He said the report was tabled before the Cabinet in April after the board completed its investigation into the Dec 20 crash, which claimed 28 lives, mostly Thai tourists.

“The Cabinet has referred the matter to the AG’s Chambers for further action. I was informed that the AG's Chambers has looked through the report and passed it to the police and other relevant agencies for further action,” he told Bernama here today.

He said the report gave its findings on what caused the crash and on possible shortcomings on the part of various government agencies and the bus operator. However, he said the report would not be made public or tabled in Parliament.

"This is due to legal implications. So it is now up to the respective agencies to look into the recomendations by the panel and take neccesary action," he said.

In the nation's worst road accident at the 15th kilometre of the Cameron Highlands-Simpang Pulai road on Dec 20 last year, 25 Thai nationals and their Malaysian driver and tour guide were killed when the double-decker bus they were in crashed into a divider, overturned and landed on its roof in a ditch.

The crash claimed the lives of 22 people on the spot while five others died at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh. Following the accident, Universiti Putra Malaysia vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi, who has a PhD in traffic safety engineering and a Masters in transport and traffic engineering, was appointed to head an independent inquiry board to investigate the crash.

The inquiry board looked into all aspects of the accident before making recommendations to the Government. The other committee members were representatives from the Malaysian Institute of Transportation, Institute of Engineering Malaysia, Road Engineering Association of Malaysia, Federation of Malaysia Consumers Association (Fomca) and mechanical engineering consultant Datuk Foong Choy Chye.

Dr Radin said the report took two months to complete as the board had called and recorded statements from witnesses and experts on the accident. Those called to assist the probe included officials from Malaysia Institute Of Road Safety Research (MIROS), Road Transport Department (RTD), Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre (Puspakom), Tourism Ministry as well as local agents.

The probe also involved foreign parties including the bus's chasis maker from Japan.

Source: Mmail

Why Emergency Lanes Not for Escaping Jams?

KUALA LUMPUR: Klang Valley motorists continue to court danger by recklessly driving along emergency lanes to escape waiting in queues during traffic jams. A Streets check along the 36km stretch of the Federal Highway between Klang and Cheras during rush hour found motorists brazenly using the lane meant for emergency vehicles.

The check was conducted two days after two men were killed on emergency lanes in the city recently. In the first incident on Wesak day, a van travelling on the emergency lane at the Jalan 222 interchange on the Federal Highway crashed into a maintenance worker before dragging him for over 30 metres.

In the second incident, also on the same day, a motorcyclist died after the driver of a car travelling on the middle lane of the North-South Expressway near the Duta Toll Plaza lost control and hit the motorcyclist who was using the emergency lane.

Our checks also found that even during non-congestion periods, cars and other vehicles habitually used the emergency lanes. They were seen driving along the lanes to avoid congestion and weaving in and out of it into adjacent lanes to overtake other vehicles.

During traffic jams, motorists can be seen using the emergency lane from the moment they entered the highway until they reached their respective exits. One motorist was observed driving through the emergency lane from the stretch near Taman Jaya, Petaling Jaya, until after the Batu Tiga toll plaza.

Another motorist driving through the emergency lane almost caused a pile-up at the Sunway-Shah Alam stretch of the highway. The driver stepped on her brake just in time to avoid two four-wheel-drive vehicles which had broken down on the emergency lane. Behind her was a stretch of cars also misusing the lane.

Some motorists, meanwhile, stop their vehicles on emergency lanes to make or answer a phone call, ask for directions or wait for friends and family who were disembarking at bus stops along the highway.

When asked why they are using the emergency lanes, the most common excuses given were that they were not feeling well, they had to fetch a sickly relative and they had to answer the call of nature urgently.

Some had the temerity to blame the authorities for poor road planning. The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety, however, is not buying the excuses. Its director-general Prof Ahmad Farhan Sadullah said emergency lanes were only meant for emergency vehicles such as fire engines, police cars and ambulances or emergency situations.

"There are no exceptions to the rule and the police and Road Transport Department must be strict in enforcing the proper use of the emergency lanes," he said.

"Many motorists are prone to use emergency lanes during peak periods in the morning and evening due to the traffic congestion," he said, adding that hotspots for the abuse of the emergency lanes are near ramps and exits.

He also warned motorcyclists, not to use the emergency lanes as vehicles could lose control and crash into them as a result. He also said that accidents and unnecessary congestion occurred when motorists try to exit the emergency lanes and get into mainstream traffic.

He also urged motorcylists not to seek shelter under flyovers as they could be hit by other vehicles. Bukit Aman Traffic chief Datuk Abdul Aziz Yusof agreed with Prof Farhan, saying that the only excuse acceptable besides car breakdowns were to attend to a person with a medical emergency.

"When we catch a person without a real emergency stalling and driving through the lane we advise them to drive out of the lane," he said.

He, however, warned that those posing danger to themselves and others could face a maximum fine of RM300. Meanwhile, Aziz advised motorists and passengers to observe safety precautions if they need to park their vehicles in the emergency lane. They should park their vehicles inside the lane and place cones or hazard triangles.

He also called on them to stand behind the guard rails while waiting for highway patrol officers or emergency response teams.

Source: NST Online

Research MoU between MIROS and RIOH

The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and the Research Institute of Highway (RIOH) China today signed an agreement to collaborate on research, and to pursue other advancements in road safety.

Prof Dr Ahmad Farhan and Prof Zhou Wei during the MoU.

A Momenrandum of Understanding (MoU) was today signed between MIROS Director-General Professor Dr Ahmad Farhan and RIOH President Professor Dr Zhou Wei at a simple ceremony in MIROS.

With the agreement in place, MIROS and RIOH will jointly-undertake various research and innovation activities in pursuit of advancements in road safety. This is in line with reducing the number of fatalities, casualties and road accidents in Malaysia.

"The focus of this collaboration will be to identify and put forward recommendations and findings with the aim of introducing intervention programs that will have the greatest impact on saving lives", said Professor Dr. Ahmad Farhan. "While many initiatives are already undertaken by the Government under the integrated Safe System Approach, road safety is a concern that constantly evolves and therefore requires ongoing measures, new strategies and policies to be put in place and implemented to achieve the desired outcomes".

The backbenchers after the event.

Under the MoU, MIROS and RIOH will mutually exchange personnel to participate in selected projects and also perform joint supervisions of postgraduate research candidates.

What is MyVap Vehicle Star Rating?

Today MyVap news has been appeared on the front page of Berita Harian. So the question is "What the heck is MyVap?" Is it a new government plan to "torture" and make use of the public?

Taken from Official MIROS website. Pioneered by MIROS, Malaysian Vehicle Assessment Programme (MyVAP) was established to elevate the degree of vehicle safety in Malaysia. This is done by escalating awareness among local car users together with acquiring roadworthy and crashworthy vehicles via non-destructive techniques. Conclusive consumer information and competitive vehicle upgrading by manufacturers will pave the path towards a new era of vehicle safety in Malaysia.

Petikan Berita Harian. Semua kenderaan baru keluaran syarikat automotif tempatan akan diberi penarafan keselamatan satu hingga lima bintang bagi membolehkan orang ramai menilai ciri-ciri keselamatan model kenderaan yang dipasarkan oleh pengeluar ketika membeli kenderaan.

Did you find this MyVap news awesome? For me, it is an advantage to us, as customers. Do you know how much and how long we have been deceived by vehicle manufacturers, especially those coming from the overseas? I have a friend who just bought a brand new Ma*** 2 car and he was really proud with it. Hell, the price is about RM85k. He claimed that his new car has 6 airbags. I'm shocked. In my opinion, as a guy who has many experience in automotive industry, Malaysia is a "bolehland", a dumping ground nation, how come he can get very decent car specification. So I decided to test-drive his car and checked whether it is true or not. If found to be true, I personally want to buy that car.

Unfortunately the result was quite devastating. The car has only two airbags but in the manual clearly stated the car has 6 airbags (You know, the price is also more expensive compared with the same unit and spec from the original country). My friend got cheated so easily since he has very minimal information on cars. How many people in Malaysia is just like him? I can say more than 80%. I want to ask you how much those people profit from your ignorant and naivety? I tell you, it's million and could be billions.

In conclusion, MyVap is one of the solution. It will help you to decide which car is safe and which car is not. MyVap is merely a stepping stone before going to high end rating system like NCAP. But can you agree that we must have started somewhere? I'm begging you to support MyVap, not only for your own safety, but for you child, and the next future generation. Love Life.

My Road Crash Investigation Performance

I'm updating my CV at the moment. I never expect that this updating task is so tedious and boring. But what can I do, it is a task that I must complete before the year 2010 ends. Anyway, not try to show off, but I'm thinking to put my road crash investigation and reconstruction experience online. It has been 3 years ehh...

On the side of Malaysian expressway, anytime can get hit and die...

Position: Crash Analyst

Job Responsibility: To investigate and reconstruct high profile road crashes nationwide for national inquiry and research purposes.

Date of Appointment: 2007

Achievement:
Lead Hi Profile: 42 Cases

Assist High Profile: 31 Cases

During Hari Raya Haji 2008, besides we were away from our family, we were soaking badly under a heavy rain...

National Inquiry Cases (Lead: 4; Assist: 4):

1.LEAD Lanchang Crash Investigation – Fatal MPV - Lorry Crash at KM 96.2 East Coast Expressway, Pahang (24 July 2007)
2.ASSIST Baling Crash Investigation – Fatal School Bus Crash at Batu 8 Tanjung Pari, Baling, Kedah (11 September 2007)
3.LEAD Jelapang Toll Plaza Crash Investigation – Fatal Latex Tanker - Bus Crash at Jelapang Toll Plaza North-South Expressway (PLUS), Perak (11 December 2007)
4.LEAD Lahad Datu Crash Investigation – Fatal 4WD – Mini Bus Crash at KM 11 Jalan Kunak – Lahad Datu, Sabah (1 October 2008)
5.ASSIST Tangkak Crash Investigation – Fatal Express Bus Crash at KM 146.5 North-South Expressway (PLUS), Johor (7 December 2008)
6.ASSIST Rawang Crash Investigation – Fatal Express Bus Crash at KM 442.9 North-South Expressway (PLUS), Selangor (13 April 2009)
7.LEAD Ipoh Crash Investigation – Fatal Express Bus Crash at KM 272.8 North-South Expressway (PLUS), Perak (26 December 2009)
8.ASSIST Cameron Highland Crash Investigation – Fatal Express Bus Crash at KM 9 Simpang Pulai – Cameron Highland, Perak (20 December 2010)

New Road Safety Program - Love Life

PLUS Expressway Bhd and the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) launched the Love Life campaign to create awareness of road safety through music. PLUS and Miros distributed 5,000 music CDs entitled Love Life to motorists at the Subang Jaya NKVE toll plaza here recently. (but MIROS staff didn't get one. So sad...)

Prof Dr Ahmad Farhan on the scene during Love Life

A total of 5000 CDs were distributed to motorists at 10 major toll plazas in the country over three days before Hari Raya. Fourteen popular Malaysian artistes performed theme song entitled Love Life and nine other songs in the first local album dedicated o road safety.

Sponsored by PLUS and produced for Miros by award winning composer Johan Nawawi, the album's 10 songs were performed by Nora, Zainal Abidin, Datuk Khatijah Ibrahim, Jacklyn Victor, Dayang Nur Faizah, Noh Hujan, Nabil Mentor, Dina, Sheila OIAM, Tomok, Desiree, Hunny Madu, Remy Ishak and Cakra Sonic. It also features motorcycle racing champion Wazi Abdul Hamid.

The crowds during Road Safety Love Life event

Miros director-general Prof Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah said: "Music is a very powerful means of persuasion and we hope it will give us the much-needed breakthrough in communicating the importance of good road safety practice to the masses and in the process become an effective platform in reducing road accidents and fatalities."

He said despite the campaigns which have been initiated throughout the year through activities, enforcement, new laws, and the use of print, broadcast and social media, the number of accidents and fatalities in the country remained alarmingly high.

Last year, there were 397,330 road accidents with 6,745 deaths. Sixty per cent of the fatalities were motorcyclists and pillion riders. Dr Ahmad said worldwide studies have long determined that music has a profound physical and psychological effect in communicating social ideas, values and influencing the lives of a much larger audience. He said Love Life is about road safety, and has proven to have a positive impact on the subconscious minds of the motorists, influencing their behaviour, action and attitude.

Professional motorcyclist (Eh belakang tu Atiqah dan Suffian)

Plus Expressway Bhd chief executive officer Nik Airina Jaffar said the campaign is in line with their road safety programme called Malaysians Unite for Road Safety or Mufors for short.

"Mufors started last September and 24,000 Malaysians took an oath to drive safely. This year, the motorists were urged to make road safety a priority in their lives. With the launch of the Love Life campaign and album, we hope to work together to reduce road accidents and fatalities," she said.

News source: NST Online

MIROS Roscon - Malaysia Road Safety Conference 2010 - Call for Research Paper

1. ROSCON 2010 is the first road safety conference organized by Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS). As stated in the poster below, the ROSCON conference is a must for policy makers, researchers, practitioners, law enforcers, students and a wide range of public and private organizations from the region, with an interest in the future road safety.

2. As you know, each year nearly 1.3 MILLION people die as a result of a road traffic collision - more than 3000 deaths each day - and more than half of these people are not traveling in a car. According to World Health Organization (WHO), by 2020, road traffic accident will be no.1 for "Global Killer title".

3. Thus, for our children, and for our next generation, please support road safety campaigns and educate ourselves with better understanding on road safety. Time is never waiting for us. We are the one who chasing the time and make a change!

4. Big thanks and hugs to Chairman of ROSCON 2010, Ir Mohd Rasid Osman or well-known in MIROS as MRO, for organizing and willing to be the first chairman of ROSCON organizing committee. Lastly.....see you there! InsyaAllah...

Click to Enlarge :O

For more details: Visit ROSCON 2010

Women Getting Nastier on the Road

1. Women oh women..not only when driving, but also when sitting at the front passenger seat..hehehehe...

GEORGE TOWN: Women drivers are getting more aggressive than their male counterparts, according to an analyst. Based on the number of traffic summonses issued and court cases against women, a trend of aggressive driving has emerged among the fairer sex, said Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation analyst Kamal Affandi Hashim.

“Based on what we can see, the attitude of male drivers has improved but women are getting more aggressive. Hence, the number of women involved in accidents is on the rise,” he said.

He, however, did not state statistics. Noting that the attitude of drivers was the main cause of road accidents, Kamal said it was crucial for road users to practise defensive driving.

“Drivers who are aggressive, emotional and distracted while driving are dangerous. Most people will, at one time or another, feel like strangling their fellow drivers but it becomes a criminal act when you follow up on that intention with an aggressive act (such as chasing after a vehicle),” he said at the Rakan Trafik@USM road safety campaign at Universiti Sains Malaysia here yesterday.

Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) director-general Prof Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah said Malaysians generally felt that they were “Superman” and would never end up as an accident casualty.

“It’s their attitudes that cause accidents. The think they are invincible, not even wanting to wear safety belts. Perhaps it’s ego. They just want to be faster and better than the next driver,” said Dr Ahmad.

He said it was easier for people to change their attitudes than for enforcement bodies to step in. He added that Miros was working with several insurance companies to reward “good drivers” but the plan would have to get the approval of Bank Negara.

Source: Thestar Online

MIROS 1st Motorcycle Outdoor Crash Test [Pictures and Videos]

1. On 13 January 2010, with vision to appear as a world leader in road safety research, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) has started doing its own outdoor crash test at its headquarters compound. Even without proper laboratories or equipment, MIROS, an agency under the Transport Ministry has done its first crash test at a slip road next to its office.

2. Motorcyclists constitute 49% of the road user population and the biggest contribution towards road users’ death (about 50%) annually in Malaysia. Thus, it is a common sense that MIROS started its 1st crash test with motorcycle. It is a year of action for MIROS.

NEXT: Perodua Alza vs. Trailer Rear-end (Febuary 25th 2010)

MIROS Official 1st Motorcycle Outdoor Crash Test Video


MIROS 1st Motorcycle Outdoor Crash Test No.1 Video


MIROS 1st Motorcycle Outdoor Crash Test No.2 Video


During and After Motorcycle Outdoor Crash Test No.1
The 1st test objective is to test efficiency of Hit Air motorcyclist airbag during side impact collision between motorcycle and car (commonly occurred at the junction). The helmet used by the dummy was properly secured. The speed of motorcycle was clocked at 29 km/h.

The dummy passed Mr. Khairil, who is the project manager for this 1st motorcycle crash test.

Two crash analysts from CRU unit; Mr. Zarir and Mr. Rahmat were collecting the data.

Prof Farhan, Director General of MIROS, Prof Wong, Director of VSB, and Dato Suret, Director General of JKJR watched the dummy after the collision.


The airbag jacket was being taken out from the dummy.




Preparation and Before Motorcycle Outdoor Crash Test No.1
2 hours before the crash, the staffs were busy trying out the motorcycle track with real human body.


Mr. Syazwan and Mr. Ridzuan were discussing menu for launch haha...

Prof Wong and project leader, Puan Farah, one minute before the launching.

Post-grad students from UPM were discussing about their software.





Mr. Aqbal and Mr. Yahaya, two MIROS engineers aka research officers were analyzing the high speed camera software.

Mr. Khairil was giving the photographer a sexy pose 5-minutes before the crash test.



During and After Motorcycle Outdoor Crash Test No.2
The 2nd test objective is to test efficiency of another motorcyclist airbag during side impact collision between motorcycle and car (commonly occurred at the junction). At this time, the helmet used by the dummy was improperly secured. The speed of motorcycle was clocked at 27 km/h.







Preparation and Before Motorcycle Outdoor Crash Test No.2




Please use following links to download the video:
Official MIROS 1st Motorcycle Crash Test
MIROS 1st Motorcycle Crash Test No. 1
MIROS 1st Motorcycle Crash Test No. 2

Some more photos and news: CBT News

Double Deck Bus Crash at Ipoh 10 Died - An Insight

1. Whatever I am doing, I do it for the nation; that is including for my dedicated Islam, for my beloved family, for my fellow friends, for my dearest people and for my lovely country. My deep condolences to the family of the deceased victims in the recent tragedy of double-deck bus crash accident at PLUS Ipoh. In my opinion, regardless of whatever efforts we put it, without support and commitment to change from other agencies, everything will go into the vain.

2. The case is a twin of the Rawang Case that happened on the last April this year, which took 6 lives. I can say they have about 70% of similarity in some sorts. Many people said the root of all accident causes is the human factor. Yes, it is true; in fact, its contribution to the accident cause is more than 90%. However, how many human in this world is perfect? Human do mistake, so do I, and so do you. Why human should be blamed twice? When the Rawang findings are being presented to the related agencies, can you guess what they say? “Why there is a white line on the road sides? They implies dangerous beyond the lines, we do not bear the responsibility for those who cross the lines”. Such a wisdom answer right?

3. Now another crash happened and we were being dispatched and come again to the scene. We will do the report, and present it at the related agency again as usual. And the same answer will be given. The last Rawang case took 6 lives, meanwhile the recent Ipoh case took 10 lives, maybe after a case that took 20 lives and maybe involve one of their family members, then they will act and do as we recommend in the report findings. Are they really wanted to wait until that extend? I almost pray for that to happen. Let them feel the sadness, let them feel their lost and let them know that MONEY CANNOT BUY THE LIFE OF THEIR LOVED ONES. Thus I encourage myself and those involved back to the basic of what we learn at the school which is, PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.

Happy Aidil Adha - Korban 1430H

1. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the readers of Happy Aidil Adha. Please drive safe and come back alive. :)

2. Also, I would like to give a credit to the photographer, Matlan from MIROS for this awesome Raya Korban photo. Clap clap clap!

Road Safety Tips

1. Here the road safety tips, done by Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS). Take a look and learn. Thank you!