Driverless technology has been emerging in the last five years. Would driverless buses be on Singapore's roads in a decade's time? Would all buses be electric to reduce emissions?
Currently, driverless electric vehicles are already being tested in Singapore as a proof of concept:
They are also being used in Italy, although the vehicle is currently smaller than a normal citybus:
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-future-of-driverless-buses-2014-12
LTA is also studying them as a possible long-term plan (Smart Mobility 2030 master plan):
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/driverless-buses-talking-cars-smart-transport-master-plan
Wireless charging technology for electric buses would also aid in making the process fully autonomous, akin to how driverless trains operate now:
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-23603751
In the United Kingdom, operators are also exploring the prospect of operating them:
Would that help solve the shortage of drivers, by doing away with them altogether?
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Originally posted by sgbuses:Driverless technology has been emerging in the last five years. Would driverless buses be on Singapore's roads in a decade's time? Would all buses be electric to reduce emissions?
Currently, driverless electric vehicles are already being tested in Singapore as a proof of concept:
They are also being used in Italy, although the vehicle is currently smaller than a normal citybus:
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-future-of-driverless-buses-2014-12
LTA is also studying them as a possible long-term plan (Smart Mobility 2030 master plan):
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/driverless-buses-talking-cars-smart-transport-master-plan
Wireless charging technology for electric buses would also aid in making the process fully autonomous, akin to how driverless trains operate now:
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-23603751
In the United Kingdom, operators are also exploring the prospect of operating them:
Would that help solve the shortage of drivers, by doing away with them altogether?
I'd say the government thought of another rather different approach to replace large use of buses here in sg and that is the construction of the various automated medium capacity rail lines.
The circle line, downtown line, and thomson-marine parade line replaces or will replace some of the corridors that have rather heavy bus usage, by providing stops that are within walking distance and with stable frequency unlike buses.
Doing so helps to stablise the frequency/headways as well as removing some traffic off the roads, and hopefully in turn providing a smoother and faster journey for the remaining bus services which can help to reduce route-fleet sizes.
The only downsides are the cost.