PLUS Unveils Five-Year Roadmap - AI, Clean Mobility and Climate Resilience

PLUS Malaysia Bhd has introduced a new five-year Strategic Roadmap to transform the country’s main highway network into a smarter, more connected and climate-resilient system. The plan strengthens PLUS’s role in supporting Malaysia’s growing digital economy and future mobility needs.

Satpal Singh, PLUS Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, said the initiative marks a shift from traditional highway management to an intelligent infrastructure model that can drive economic growth, improve supply chain resilience and shape a modern mobility corridor for the nation. 

He said the roadmap is anchored on five key areas: smarter operations, a more seamless customer journey, greener development, stronger community engagement and closer collaboration with industry and government.

A major part of the transformation focuses on AI-driven maintenance and safety. PLUS now relies on drones that reduce inspection time by 98%, AI cameras that detect potholes and debris, and a traffic monitoring centre with 2,900 CCTVs and real-time analytics, the largest of its kind in ASEAN.

Satpal also highlighted the AI-powered suicide alert system on the Penang Bridge, which has helped prevent 44 suicide attempts since it was introduced in 2023. He said these technologies show how AI can be used meaningfully to protect lives and enhance safety on critical infrastructure.

The roadmap also strengthens PLUS’s climate resilience strategy. The company has completed Malaysia’s first end-to-end climate risk assessment, presented at the United Nations, allowing it to identify flood and landslide prone areas, fortify infrastructure and provide better support to communities living near the highway.

Clean mobility is another focus. PLUS has installed 114 EV fast chargers along the North-South Expressway and plans to grow this to 350 by 2028, including Malaysia’s first integrated charging hub at Seremban R&R by Terra ChargEV.

Community development remains central to the company’s work. About 90% of rest-stop stall operators come from surrounding towns, more than 500 SMEs benefit across its network and over 2,500 volunteers are mobilised annually.

On public concerns, Satpal assured that toll rates will remain unchanged. He said efficiency improvements and new technologies will allow the highway operator to maintain costs while upgrading the customer experience. 

Source: Bernama