ID :
490989
Fri, 05/04/2018 - 10:23
Auther :

Safety Utmost Objective In Public Transport System, Says Expert

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 (Bernama) -- Safety is the utmost objective in any public transport system and the Shinkasen, the Japanese bullet train network, has an edge over other similar systems, according to a Malaysian transport expert. Dr Shahrin Nasir, Deputy Director of Universiti Teknologi Mara's ( UiTM) Malaysia Institute of Transport said he was very impressed with the holistic package being offered by Japan in making a strong bid to win the international tender for the proposed High Speed Rail (HSR) linking Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. " The Shinkansen, from its inception in 1964, has been developing tremendously. “ It is important that when Japan comes up with such a package, it is looking at the entire system and not just technology," he told Bernama. MyHSR, the project delivery company for this Southeast Asia's largest infrastructure venture, announced recently that six consortiums from as many countries are bidding to secure the project estimated to cost around RM50 billion. " When you take a train that goes as fast an aircraft, the first thing you would be looking at is of course the safety aspects. “ The Shinkansen has all these years had zero fatalities because it ensures that safety is utmost in all aspects of the operation," said Shahrin. He also said MyHSR had already started working with local universities on the future development of the HSR by signing memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with eight of them last month. The universities would be the hub to flourish technology transfer, particularly from the aspect of innovations necessary to operate  such a system by Malaysians themselves. Shahrin said the challenge for the eight universities would be for them to work together rather than compete with each other because the  benefits of such an arrangement goes far beyond just students and researchers. " The Shinkasen is the pioneer in HSR, while others are catching up. “If Japan can come up with the right package, I think the government will go for it and the Shinkansen might be winning the tender," he added. -- BERNAMA

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