Based on the points
elaborated in the article, although LTA has proposed alternatives with the use
of smart technology, for commuters to travel efficiently, there are other
factors that the author fails to discuss how to improve the transportation
systems and enhance road safety for its citizens.
Firstly, the use of
Autonomous vehicles (AVs) helps to improve traffic flow and maximize space
efficiency for road users. In the magazine “How Self-Driving Cars Might Transform
City Parking”, Choi (2019) stated that AVs do not require much space as
compared to normal vehicles. There is no need to install staircases and lifts
in the carparks as AVs are returned through a machine located at the entrance. The
available space can be used for future road infrastructure developments and it
increases the efficiency of road spaces. Furthermore, according to the news
article “How Autonomous Vehicles Improve Traffic Flow”, Lim (2018) stated that AVs
work together with other cars via communication by sending a signal to the
other cars so that “cars in the outer lane that was in immediate proximity of the stopped car slowed
down and cars in the inner lane can quickly pass the stopped car without having
to slow down”. By avoiding the hostile
driver, it prevents accidents which enhances the smooth traffic flow.
Secondly, other than
autonomous vehicles, improvements are made to the rail network too. According to
the news article “Commentary: Driverless vehicles can reshape Singapore, but do
consider the human elements”, Cheah (2017) stated that there will be 8 out of
10 households in Punggol, Tengah and the Jurong Innovation District to walk
not more than 10 minutes to the nearest Mass Railway Transport (MRT) station by
2030. With the continuous progression of MRT services, the final goal is to
increase connectivity and greater convenience for people living in those areas.
Lastly, to
reduce the number of vehicles on the road, buses have more priority. In the Land
Transport Authority’s (LTA) (2016) webpage, LTA stated that full-day bus lanes will
extend its operating hours until 11pm. The
extension of operating hours is a good strategy as it ensures that people
working night shifts can take the with full-day lane so that it would help prevent
slower traffic on the roads.
Furthermore, according to the Ministry of Transport’s (2016) (MOT) (webpage, MOT stated that under
the Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BESP), there will be an increase in the bus
capacity which can fit more people. This helps to reduce the waiting time and improve
connectivity for people.
With the continuous transportation
developments, Singapore has made a huge progression in terms of ensuring that
the country is safer for citizens and comes out with several measures to counter
the road congestion issues.
_________________________________________________________________________
References:
1. Tay, Q, W (2019). Tapping Tech for
Smooth Traffic, from https://www.clc.gov.sg/docs/default-source/urban-solutions/urb-sol-iss-13
pdfs/11_case_study-singapore-intelligent-transport-systems.pdf
2. Charles Q. Choi (2019). How Self-Driving
Cars Might Transform City Parking. Retrieved 2 October 2019, from https://spectrum.ieee.org/cars-that-think/transportation/self-driving/autonomous-parking
3. Insurance Journal (2019). How Autonomous Vehicles improve Traffic Flow. Retrieved 2 October 2019, from https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/international/2019/05/29/527673.htm
4.National Climate Change Secretariat (2019). Retrieved 2 October 2019, from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/commentary-driverless-vehicles-reshape-singapore-smart-nation-9451258
5.Land Transport Authority (2016). Retrieved 2
October 2019, from https://www.lta.gov.sg/apps/news/page.aspx?c=2&id=4017ae7a-75b6-4365-ad07-4d647364bd80
6. Ministry of Transport (2019). Retrieved 2 October 2019, from https://www.mot.gov.sg/about-mot/land-transport/public-transport/buses
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