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How Do the AES Speed Cameras Work?

PLUS will propose to install more AES speed cameras on all their six highways.
If approved, installation will include the Penang Bridge.
But how does the AES speed camera work?

In the news

PLUS (Projek Lebuhraya Utara Selatan Berhad) will submit a proposal to the authorities to install more AES (Automated Enforcement System) speed cameras.

The concessionaire is thinking of installing more of the speed cameras on all six highways under their charge. If the proposal is approved, the cameras will also be installed on the Penang Bridge.

AES camera – Courtesy of NSTP/ASYRAF HAMZAH

Speaking to The Star, PLUS Managing Director Datuk Azman Ismail said the proposal is to ensure road users obey traffic laws and create road safety awareness.

Datuk Azman made the statement at the launching of Ops Selamat 14. The operation will be held from 29^thJanuary to 12^thFebruary in conjunction with the Chinese New Year.

How Does the AES Work?

We’ve heard some motorcyclists say that covering the motorcycle’s speedometer will avoid the AES snapping the speedometer. We didn’t know if we should laugh or cry.

The AES trigger works by determining how much time it took the vehicle to travel through a set distance. Remember the formula Speed = Distance/Time? (Please click here if you don’t.)

There are two types of sensors:

Piezo or inductive loop sensors embedded in the road. These are to detect “slower” speeds over the limit. This system is also used to detect traffic at some intersections.
A radar detector attached on the outside of the camera housing. This detects vehicles that travel at higher speeds.

For the road detectors, a pair are embedded some distance before the camera. The earlier the vehicle passes both, the faster it is travelling.

Radar works by bouncing microwaves off an object. The faster the waves return to the detector, the nearer the object is to the detector. The processing unit calculates the time difference between when the first wave was returned to the subsequent waves. The faster they come back, the faster the vehicle is travelling.

For example:

Let’s assume the two detectors or radar waves are 20 metres apart, and the car crosses in 0.5 second.

Speed = 50m/5 second = (20/1000) km/(2/3600) hr = 0.02 km/0.00014 hr = 142 km/h

CLICK! Check in MyEG for your summons.

Troubleshooting Suspension Symptoms (Part 1) – Preload

We’ve put together a guide to troubleshooting suspension symptoms.
A troubleshooting guide is easier to remember and use.
We start with preload adjustment.

We touched on the basics of suspension set ups some time ago (click here for the article). We decided that a guide on troubleshooting suspension symptoms is easier to understand and remember.

Please refer to the previous article below for the basics on what suspension preload, compression damping and rebound damping.

Suspension Explained (Part 1) – Prologue

Preload adjustment

Virtually all motorcycles are fitted with it, hence it’s where we should start.

To recap, preload affects your suspension’s sag. “Adding” preload causes that end of the motorcycle to rise, and vice versa. However, it DOES NOT adjust the suspension’s stiffness. The “stiff” impression when you crank up the preload is due to the reduced the sag. Think of sag as “freeplay.” Remember, sag DOES NOT affect the spring rate, either.

Preload adjustment affects your bike’s ride height hence chassis geometry. For example, you can have the bike turn into corners quicker by having more preload at the back or less in front. Conversely, you use less preload at the back or a little more in front for more stability in corners.

The blue bolt is the preload adjuster. The more preload you add, the fewer lines it shows

Too little preload (Front)

The front ride rides too low.
The forks bottom out too easily during hard braking or when contacting a bump.

Too much preload (Front)

The front rides high.
Feels harsh.
Overwhelms damping.
Bounces back after hitting bumps.
Weight is shifted to the back wheel causing sluggish turn-in.

Too little preload (Rear)

Bottoms out quickly, especially when riding with a passenger.
Causes the front to ride high.
Sluggish to turn in as weight is off the front wheel.
Front feels light under hard acceleration.
Bike tends to push wide in corners when the throttle is opened.

Too much preload (Rear)

The rear rides much higher than supposed to.
Damping is overwhelmed.
Feels harsh and bounces back hard after contacting bumps.

Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow.

Penang Bridge SUV Accident – It was the 5th Time!

The Penang Chief Minister has urged the Penang Bridge and Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah (second bridge) concessionaires to review the safety standards of their guardrails.
An SUV went over the guardrails at the Penang Bridge and into the sea after being hit by another vehicle on 20^thJanuary.
It was the fifth case of vehicles and a motorcyclist who plunged off the bridge.

The Penang Chief Minister is urging the Penang Bridge and Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah concessionaires to review the safety standards of their guardrails, following a highly publicized accident.

An SUV went over the guardrails at the Penang Bridge and into the sea after being hit by another vehicle on 20^thJanuary. The subsequent recovery effort has grabbed the attention of the entire nation. The wreckage of the SUV and its occupant, a 20-year-old college student, has been located last night (21^stJanuary).

It was not the first accident which saw a vehicle crashing into the sea, by far. There were four other cases stretching back to 2010.

20^thSeptember 2010

A young married couple’s MPV hit a metal railing, send the vehicle off the bridge.

1^stNovember 2012

An accounting clerk’s vehicle hit a barrier, sending the car into the sea at kilometer-7.4 on the Penang island-bound side.

30^thOctober 2015

A motorcyclist was thrown over the bridge after his motorcycle scraped against another at kilometer-1.4., island-bound. Fortunately, he only suffered minor injuries as he landed in soft mud.

12^thNovember 2015

A driver lost control of his car before plunging into the sea at kilometer-0.6, Prai-bound.

20^thJanuary 2019

The latest case in which an SUV rolled and hopped over the barrier.

Although there was only one case involving a motorcyclist, steps should have been taken earlier. The view from the two Penang bridges are spectacular but one cannot deny how low the present barriers are. On the other hand, shutting the view off entirely would not sit well, either.

However, there is another dark side which we should consider: Suicides. There’ve been a number of cases of people jumping off the bridges to commit suicide. In fact, one attempt had occurred this morning off the second bridge while the recovery efforts of the SUV were still ongoing.

But we have always questioned why always act after tragedies? Why are our authorities so myopic? That is not the only problem. As we mentioned in another article, enforcement only goes on for about 3 months then everyone goes back to breaking the law.

Let’s hope something is done this time.

Modenas Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” Ride goes down South!

The Modenas Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” ride returns in 2019 with more epic journeys.
This ride covered the state of Johor from Johor Bahru to Mersing and Kluang.
16 Modenas Dominar D400 owners took on this exciting ride for the #MotographyMalaysia initiative.

It was yet another successful and wonderful journey of the Modenas Dominar “Explore the Unexplored” ride as they explored the road down South. A convoy of 16 Modenas Dominar D400 owners took the streets from Mersing all the way Kluang for some good time under the sun and riding around the great state. (more…)

2019 Ducati Diavel 1260 Production Begins

Ducati has started production on the 2019 Ducati Diavel 1260.
The Diavel 1260 shares the 159 bhp 1,262cc DVT engine of the Multistrada 1260.
It also features lean sensitive traction control and Cornering ABS.

The first 2019 Ducati Diavel 1260 has rolled off the production line in Bologna, Italy. It was greeted at the entire factory with a toast and official speech by CEO Claudio Domenicali.

The Diavel 1260 was just unveiled last year and it will be delivered to the first customers by February.

It is the second generation Diavel. Ducati claims it is now more comfortable for the rider and passenger alike, besides being designed for “mixed roads.” The main highlight is the 1262cc Testastretta DVT 90^oV-twin engine which it shares with the Multistrada 1260. It produces 159 bhp at 9,500 RPM and 129 Nm of torque at 7,500 RPM. The DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing) gives the engine smooth and predictable power throughout its rev range.

Apart from DVT, Ducati has also equipped the bike with an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). The component enables the addition of lean sensitive traction control and cornering ABS.

As per Ducati’s tradition, the 2019 Diavel 1260 is offered in both standard and “S” model trims. The higher-spec’ed Diavel 1260S model features Öhlins suspension and Quick Shift Evo for up- and downshifts.

Both models still feature the Diavel’s signature 240mm-wide rear tyre.

Toby Price Wins Dakar Rally 2019 with Broken Wrist

Toby Price wins the Dakar Rally 2019 with a broken wrist.
It was his second Dakar win since 2016.
KTM has won at the rally 18^thtimes in a row.

Speaking of broken wrists, Australian Toby Price won the Dakar Rally 2019 despite riding with that injury.

Price came into the 10^thand final stage of the rally with a slender one-minute lead over Chilean Pablo Quintanilla. They had covered almost 5,200 kilometres up to that point.

However, Quintanilla crashed after a mere 10 kilometres into the 112-kilometre stage from Pisco to Lima. He injured his foot which cost him 19 minutes, dropping him to fourth overall. Quintanilla’s misfortune let Price romp home to win the stage win and the overall lead.

Price’s feat was heroic as he rode with a broken scaphoid. He had broken the bone a few weeks prior to the Dakar’s flag-off.

The Red Bull KTM factory rider had thought about just racing for two stages before pulling out. But he kept going as his team provided impeccable support in addition to some luck.

“Pretty much all I can say is that it feels like there are about five people driving a knife in my wrist now,” Price said. He had spent 10 agonising days of being jolted and bumped across the dunes and desert.

“It’s not very comfortable, it’s not very enjoyable. Now I’ll just wait and see what damage I’ve done to my wrist.”

It was Price’s second Dakar win since 2016, and KTM’s 18^thsuccessive victory.