Lian (left) with Dr Mahathir, MiGHT joint chairman Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Tajuddin Ali (second right) and Minister of Economic Affairs Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (right) showcasing the PIES project model.
KUCHING: AZTI Technology Sdn Bhd (AZTI Technology), a Malaysian technology company was one of the seven companies selected to showcase its innovative Platform Intrusion Emergency Stop systems (PIES) at the MiGHT Consultation 2018 yesterday.
Themed “Riding the Next Wave of High Technology”, the consultation was officiated by Prime Minister and Patron of the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MiGHT), Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in commemoration of MiGHT’s 25 years anniversary.
At the closed-door discussion with more than 50 industry leaders, AZTI Technology showcased its flagship technology, an actual full scale Platform Intrusion Emergency Stop (PIES) which has recently been installed at the Ampang-line Light Rail Transit (LRT) totaling 36 stations.
Similar systems have also been installed at Kelana Jaya line LRT for 32 stations in 1998. A further 20 stations will be equipped with the PIES system for the upcoming Prasarana LRT3 Project.
At hand to brief Mahathir on the PIES technology was AZTI Group’s chief executive officer, Lian Wah Seng.
“PIES is the first and only Malaysian-owned railway system product that has been internationally certified and patented globally. The unique Platform Safety system works by signaling the Automatic Train Control to stop the train when intrusion is detected,” Lian said.
“On April 19, 2018, a railway tragedy was averted and a pregnant woman was saved when PIES was able to immediately stop the approaching train when the impact of the four month pregnant woman who fainted and fell on the track was detected.
“The incident occurred at the Damai LRT Station in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where the PIES system was installed on the Kelana Jaya LRT line.
“The rescue team from the Fire and Rescue Department and medics reached the location soon after the incident, and took about seven minutes to rescue the victim. The Kelana Jaya LRT line was cleared to resume operations in less than half an hour.”
Besides helping to save many lives since it started operations in the last 17 years, the system is also serving the public well as a cost-effective metro rail system with ridership exceeding 500,000 per day.
“Since 2014, we have spent more than RM8 million to enhance the system. PIES is now at version 3 and is internationally certified with Safety Integrity Level 2 (SIL2) and fully compliant to all international EN standard. Being the first Malaysian company to be qualified for SIL2, AZTI Group is now poised to become a global player in the Rail Industry, bringing its technology internationally to Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Hong Kong,” Lian added.
Putting people’s safety as the highest priority, PIES has proven that it is a cost effective platform intrusion safety solutions at minimal capital outlay and lowest operating expenses for the rail industry, cutting total lifecycle cost (capital expenditure and operating expenditure) by 70 per cent as compared to other platform safety system products.
PIES reliability can be maintained at 99.9 per cent even after 20 years in operation.