JB is rapidly growing with a massive ambition; here’s why lingering traffic woes may hinder that.

“Congestion during peak hours is now common, with traffic volume increasing steadily over the years. Major roads and highways are often clogged, leading to long delays and reduced productivity.

“The congestion in Johor Baru is not only a day-to-day inconvenience, it also poses a threat to the local economy, tourism and daily commuting,” said Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Civil Engineering Faculty’s Associate Professor Sitti Asmah Hassan.

Sitti Asmah, who is an expert in the areas of traffic engineering, transport safety and modelling, pointed out that delays in logistics and supply chains will increase operational costs that will impact businesses, especially those that rely timely deliveries.

“The tourism sectors, a vital part of Johor’s economy, will also suffer as visitors find it difficult to navigate the city,” she said.

In addition, Sitti Asmah said employees arriving late due to traffic congestions will have an effect on their productivity and morale.

She said that the time spent in traffic reduces the quality of life for residents, leading to frustration and potential reduction in productivity.

On the horizon are also high-impact projects such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and the Special Financial Zone (SFZ) in Forest City, aiming to place Johor as a key growth driver in Malaysia.

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