Toward very Unsafe Road: Guard Rail Less

The main purpose of installing guard rail along roadways is to prevent road fatalities when accident happen. The guard rail will prevent the skidding vehicles from hitting other fixed objects along side the respective road. Also the guard rail will prevent runaway vehicles from plunging into rivers or other water canal. Most of the time the type of guard rail being installed along side roads is made of metal.

However, there seemed to be some syndicates profiting from the installed guardrail. Immediately after the installation of the guard rail, the syndicate will dismantle the metal to earn quick buck at the expense of public safety.

I am sure the respective agencies responsible to maintain the road must has spent so much money to keep on replacing the missing metal of the guard rail. Immediately after they had replaced the missing metal, the syndicate will carry out their unholy duty to steal the metal. This vicious cycle will continue until something is being done to rectify the situation.

In the following picture, the metal connecting the guard rail beam and guard rail pole are missing. These are the favourite items among the thieves because it it so easy for them to dismantle the metal assembly. In case there are runaway vehicles hitting the guard rail, the occupant of the vehicle will be in serious condition.

Now, the thieves are becoming more daring by removing the steel guard rail beam. It seemed that somebody has put temporary tape to warn road users about the dire condition of the guard rail. However, the tape will not save any life when an accident happen.

Thus, in the area of road safety, the task to provide a safer road is getting tougher since there are irresponsible citizens taking advantage of the lack of enforcement to apprehend those who are involved in trading metal collected from illegal source.

Driving Experiences in Dili

Timor Leste is a newly independent country and Dili is the capital city. Experience the driving and road condition along the coastal road of Dili.

Perfect Landing

Landing from Twin Otter, a photo by wanhashim on Flickr.

Thanks to the pilots for such a perfect landing. View of Kuching Airport runways from the Twin Otter cockpit.

KLIA and KLIA2

KLIA and KLIA2, a photo by wanhashim on Flickr.

The KLIA2 is getting to take its shape. Soon there will be a third runway completed to complement the existing two runways at the KLIA.

As compared with the existing Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT), the KLIA2 will be better integrated with KLIA in term of passengers movement. Hopefully, passengers arriving at KLIA2 will easily transferred to the KLIA terminal.

I also wish that the low cost airline that will operate at the KLIA2 will allow the check-in baggage to be transferred to the KLIA terminal so that it will be easier for passengers to transfer to their respective airlines at the KLIA.

Don't Forget to Use Ferry Services While in Penang

Ferry services is still one of an essential mode of transport in Penang. The ferry services connect the main land (Butterworth) and the Penang Island (Georgetown). Majority of commuters prefer to use ferry services since it is very efficient and also very frequent. Next time you visit Penang, you can try the ferry services.

All of the ferries are still in a very good operating condition ensuring commuters of a safe travel.

The ferry is capable of handling all mode of transport i.e. passenger cars, motorcycles and pedestrians, 

The following picture shows the extensive pedestrian pathway leading to the ferry. The pathway separate the opposite direction using physical barriers. Traveling by ferry from the island to the main land is free whereas a nominal fee is charged for the other direction. For pedestrian, the fee is RM1.20 for adults and RM0.60 for children.

The ferry terminal is integrated with other public transportation facilities. A dedicated Penang Rapid Bus terminals are provided on both sides of the ferry terminals for passengers to travel to other destinations. Taxi services are also available at the terminals.

There are about three ferries operating at any one time in order to provide very short waiting time for users.  Picture below shows on e of the ferries approaching the ferry terminal while another ferry is approaching the opposite terminal.  

Pedestrian is only allowed to use the upper deck of the ferry. As shown below, there are ample spaces given for the convenient of the pedestrian. While on the ferry, the pedestrians can go to the lower deck using a staircase. 

View of ferry terminal on the main land. As shown below, there are two ferries at the terminal. Once one ferry arrives, the other ferry will depart the terminal giving a very convenient travelling option to commuters.

One of the ferries which is about to depart the terminal since our ferry is approaching the terminal.

At the terminal, specially constructed ramp enable vehicles and pedestrian to safely enter and exit the ferry.

Pedestrian path is separated from the path for vehicles.

Another view of the upper deck of the ferry.

Vehicles are queueing up to enter the ferry.