SMRT and 2getthere partner to bring automated vehicles to SG
-
SMRT and 2getthere partner to bring automated vehicles to Singapore
The Group Rapid Transit vehicles, which is similar to an automated minibus, can travel at a speed of 40km/h and carry up to 24 passengers each, say the companies.
SINGAPORE: Automated vehicle systems providing seamless first-and-last-mile connectivity for commuters in Singapore could soon become a reality with the announcement of a joint venture (JV) between SMRT Services and Dutch company 2 Getthere Holding (2getthere) on Wednesday (Apr 20).
The Singapore-based JV, called 2getthere Asia, will market, install, operate and maintain automated vehicle systems for customers in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific, according to both parties during a press briefing.
The aim is to commercialise 2getthere's third-generation Group Rapid Transit vehicle system in Singapore by the end of the year, both parties added.
A feasibililty study for these vehicles has been conducted on a campus in Singapore, according to 2getthere’s chairman and founder Carel van Helsdingen. “The first step is the feasibility study, the next step is the trial, which is the proof of the pudding, and then, the full implementation.“
A Group Rapid Transit vehicle that can accommodate 24 passengers. (Photo: SMRT Services)
These Group Rapid Transit vehicles, which is similar to an automated minibus, can travel at a speed of 40km/h and carry up to 24 passengers each. It can operate as a low-cost automated transit system that can cater for up to 8,000 passengers per hour in any single direction.
“We can see these systems being applied in closed environments like campuses, hospitals, and business parks,” said SMRT Services managing director Colin Lim. “This would provide your high quality first and last mile connectivity – for example, a commuter could stop at an MRT station, get onto one of these vehicles and go to different parts of his work environment.”
A replica of a Personal Rapid Transit system shown at Wednesday's press briefing. (Photo: Lianne Chia)
2getthere has already implemented similar systems in other parts of the world. For instance, a driverless Personal Rapid Transit system, which uses smaller vehicles that seat four, was developed in Masdar City in Abu Dhabi. Masdar City is a carbon-neutral, car-free city powered entirely by alternative energy sources. More than 2 million passenger trips have been made on this system to date.
- CNA/kk
-
These automated vehicle systems will first operate on the North-West MRT line to serve the military, contractors, Malaysians and camp goers. This will also help reduce loads between Clementi MRT and Jurong East MRT.
NW1/DTL5 Beauty World
NW2 Ngee Ann Polytechnic
NW3/EW23 Clementi
NW4/EW24 Westgate
NW5/EW27 Boon Lay
NW6/EW28 Pioneer
NW7 Nantah
NW8 Jalan Bahar
NW9 Berseri
NW10 Pusara Aman
NW11 Poyan
NW12 Lorong Rusuk Estate
NW13 Murai Farmways
NW14 UAV Command
NW15 Ama Keng
NW16 Sungei Gedong
NW17 Neo Tiew Oasis
NW18 Sarimbun Towers
NW19 Lim Chu Kang Cruise Centre
NW20 Sungei Kadut Wetlands Reserve
NW21 Kranji Transmitting
NW22 Hospital Sultanah Aminah
NW23 Kompleks Mahkamah Tinggi
NW24 Tanjong Puteri
NW25 Bukit Chagar
-
The only place I can think of that may use this futuristic technology is the future Jurong Innovation District, because in the introductory video I thought I saw transport vehicles that look like Group Rapid Transit vehicles.
Other than that, still got where else? Zoo? Night Safari? LOL.
while it has the environmental benefits and stuff, we must also consider the amount of money needed to develop Group Rapid Transit systems. Futuristic technologies do not come cheap leh...
and how is this different and better than the trams in Hong Kong and in some Western countries? Might as well build tram better.
speaking of which, if the future Jurong Region Line is tram-train type (like Goldlinq in Queensland Australia), there's gonna be a lot of possibility and flexibility, much more than LRT infrastructure... imagine halfway run on road halfway run on bridge... cool. :)... if run on road, then maybe the privacy distance from HDB flats can also be smaller...
-
Originally posted by gekpohboy:
The only place I can think of that may use this futuristic technology is the future Jurong Innovation District, because in the introductory video I thought I saw transport vehicles that look like Group Rapid Transit vehicles.
Other than that, still got where else? Zoo? Night Safari? LOL.
while it has the environmental benefits and stuff, we must also consider the amount of money needed to develop Group Rapid Transit systems. Futuristic technologies do not come cheap leh...
and how is this different and better than the trams in Hong Kong and in some Western countries? Might as well build tram better.
speaking of which, if the future Jurong Region Line is tram-train type (like Goldlinq in Queensland Australia), there's gonna be a lot of possibility and flexibility, much more than LRT infrastructure... imagine halfway run on road halfway run on bridge... cool. :)... if run on road, then maybe the privacy distance from HDB flats can also be smaller...
as stated earlier in this thread i have put the announced stations
-
First they open so called car rental with driver service(Almost like Uber),Then this?More and more buses will be neglected soon as the maintenance will goes whichever they deem profits..
-
eh, apparently, this is a driverless bus in disguise leh.
you go see this article, about something similar (identical) in Netherlands:
Driverless shuttle bus takes to public roads in the Netherlands in world 'milestone'
driver-less buses: it's coming!
just as our Singapore public bus industry is transitioning to bus contracting model...
but then, driverless vehicles is still a long way from now. maybe in my lifetime I will see it everywhere on Singapore roads, but that's many many years from now.
-
Driverless one thing..I am more concerned about the rise of brainless and heartless road users in Singapore.
-
Put at Sentosa ah...replace those beach trams with this perhaps..
-
Put at ITECE. so that you no need to walk from one class to another.
-
Put at Boon Lay Int express all the way to NTU for Mr Pang ST
-
Originally posted by carbikebus:
Put at Boon Lay Int express all the way to NTU for Mr Pang ST
1 min frequency. No rest for the cars because driverless anyway...