Transport Minister Joe Mizzi this morning was unable to say when the Intelligent Traffic Management System installed in Malta's roads will become fully functional.

The issue was raised in parliament by Opposition leader Simon Busuttil after the Sunday Times of Malta reported how the system is currently only being used to transmit announcements such as warnings against drink driving or using a mobile phone behind the wheel.

Mr Mizzi said the system was actually meant to have been set up by the former government. When it took over, the present administration found major tendering problems and needed to re-draw and re-issue the call for tenders.

He said the equipment related to the system has not been fully installed yet. Remaining work includes the installation of cameras and the commissioning of a central control room. Personnel training is underway.

He said he was confident that once the system was completed, it would be greatly beneficial for the transport network, not just in day-to-day traffic management, but also in situations such as national emergencies.

TRANSPORT MALTA: SYSTEM TO BE USED FOR KAPPARA PROJECT NOTIFICATIONS

In a statement after the minister's reply, Transport Malta said that when the Variable message signs were installed, months ago, it had stated that the signs would first be used extensively for the works on the Kappara Project.

"We have used the signs prior to works on Monday night and will be using them further in the coming days, when the project will require road closures. The VMS’s will be a source of information for drivers throughout the Kappara Project," the Authority said. 

It said the system has also been used extensively to inform drivers on the Dock 7 closure last week, to inform them about the tidal lane and other road works.

"Nonetheless, the VMS's will be used more effectively after the next phase of the project is implemented and the national traffic control centre is up and running."