By Nurul Haziqah Abdul Halim
Pix Ikhwan Hashim

BANGI, 18 August 2014 – The National University of Malaysia (UKM) is to undertake market intelligence for the Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) from Ipoh to Padang Besar including development of operational models for operating passenger and cargo trains.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed here today between UKM and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) to provide market intelligence for the development and simulation of the train service scheduling system.

It was signed by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation Affairs) Prof Dato’ Dr Mazlin Mokhtar for UKM and KTMB Director Dato Ir Nawawi Haji Ahmad with Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology Prof Dr Sahrim Haji Ahmad and KTMB President Datuk Elias Kadir as witnesses.

The EDTP is expected to be completed by year end and will be operational during the first quarter of 2015. The RM13 billion project, is currently at the 95% stage of completion with only the electrical and the signal control systems yet to be installed.

UKM is to undertake research on KTMB Train Service Scheduling System Development and Simulation to increase capacity of the double track train.

UKM will help to develop KTMB train scheduling systems with simulations based on existing information and market survey input which will be conducted by a UKM research team.

Development of the system is expected to increase capacity for the Ipoh – Padang Besar services thereby reducing current heavy dependence on road transport. It will also be able to provide speedier and more efficient inter-city travel.

The research will also determine the maximum number of passenger and freight trains operations on the double track using existing assets.

UKM is to also make recommendations on how to enhance the processes of “terminal handling”, “rolling stock circulation” and the use of the double track infrastructure to the maximum number of ports.

The EDTP is the country’s largest public infrastructure undertaking linking Ipoh to Padang Besar at the Perlis-Thai border and is aimed at providing easy travelling for residents in the northern states of Perak, Kedah, Penang and Perlis.

Prof Mazlin said cooperation with KTMB is consistent with UKM’s effort to apply its research for the benefit of the community.

Nawawi said the research will benefit various related industries such as manufacturing, tourism and education.