Waze Beacons enable GPS signals to be received inside SMART Tunnel

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Waze Beacons enable GPS signals to be received inside SMART Tunnel

GPS – Global Positioning by Satellite – navigation systems are widely used today and provide motorists with easier route guidance to get to destinations. They can be used anywhere on the planet (provided you have the digital map in the system) as the 24 satellites that encircle the earth provide complete coverage. The systems receive signals from the satellites to determine the exact location of the vehicle.

Because the systems get positioning data from the satellites above, their antennas need to be within ‘line of sight’ in the open. That’s why you may sometimes get a message saying ‘SIGNAL LOST’ on your system when you pass through a tunnel and definitely when you are underground in a basement carpark.

Those who drive through the SMART Tunnel in Kuala Lumpur will be aware of this drawback. While on the long road that runs from Sg. Besi to Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Imbi, the GPS system will not work as it cannot receive signals. However, some systems do have compass mode which can still provide some positioning capability.

Waze and the company operating the SMART Tunnel have made it possible to bring the signals into the tunnel with Waze Beacons installed. These are Bluetooth-enabled devices that can be transmit signals to GPS systems in cars as they pass by. There are 240 Waze Beacons over 5.2 kms of the tunnel, installed just before the MCO started over 150 days ago.

Waze Beacon Distribution — *Waze Beacons are small units installed in the walls and send out signals using Bluetooth connectivity.*

While U Mobile is involved in the Waze Beacons project for the SMART Tunnel, motorists with compatible smartphones and navigation apps can also access the service at no charge even if they are registered with other telcos.

Incidentally, Waze Beacons are also being installed by TRX City adjacent to the tunnel. Given the network of roads below the large TRX site, the beacons will help ensure better location services, increased driver safety, and better visibility of real-time traffic events while driving underground.

Waze Beacons was launched in 2016 and the concept has successfully been introduced in the USA, Brazil, France, Italy, Australia, Norway, and Czech Republic. In total, they are found in roughly 260 kms of tunnels and roadways worldwide.

“The Waze team and I are pleased to bring the Waze Beacons Program to Malaysia, the first Southeast Asian country to adopt the technology,” said Gil Disatnik, Waze engineer and Global Lead of the Waze Beacons programme Head of the Waze Beacons Program. “We are excited to bring the Waze Beacons programme to the SMART Tunnel, the very first double decker tunnel in the world to be fitted with Waze Beacons to provide seamless navigation to commuters in Malaysia.”

“Tunnel safety is a very important topic and with better visibility, as well as traffic flow into, through and out of the tunnel, we can help to ensure safer road conditions for all. We look forward to expanding the Waze Beacons programme to other areas in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia,” he added.