LTA | Look Ma, No Hands!

Look Ma, No Hands!

Posted on | 30 Dec 2021

Remember those science fiction movies where self-driving vehicles allowed people to sleep behind the wheel? That scene could soon become a reality this decade – with alert safety operators, of course.

In recent years, autonomous buses and shuttles have taken to the streets in various projects.

We aim to complement human-driven buses with autonomous ones, and having autonomous on-demand shuttles to improve first-and-last mile connectivity.

What’s more, these autonomous vehicles (AVs) contribute to Singapore’s target of having greener transport by 2030 – they consume less fuel and produce significantly lower amounts of harmful emissions.

Graphic showing Autonomous Vehicle with public bus on road

So how does the Land Transport Authority (LTA) facilitate industry collaborations to trial the pilot deployment of smart transport solutions?

The rigorous test regime

Just like getting a driver’s license, going through a circuit helps to evaluate the driver’s driving skills and abilities. Similarly, AVs are programmed to comply with traffic rules, and they are tested at the Centre of Excellence for Testing and Research of Autonomous Vehicles - NTU (CETRAN) Test Centre to make sure that they are capable and safe before going to the roads.

If you visit the CETRAN Test Centre, it may bring fond memories (or nightmares) of your time as a learner driver. Various traffic signs and signals dot the course, with added obstacles that mimic the occasional pedestrian.

AVs will be thoroughly assessed by the AV Milestone Testing regime, which puts them through various tests of different complexity and operating conditions, including night-time and wet weather. They are also required to undergo simulations and on-road tests for more complex environments.

As we embark on our research to understand the use of AVs for public transport, we are conducting a pilot deployment in areas such as Tengah, Punggol and the Jurong Innovation District, in the early 2020s. Why these three places? Well, they offer a range of environments – greenfield (newly-developed at Tengah), brownfield (already developed at Punggol), and mixed-use (residential, commercial and industrial at JID) – to give us a better understanding of the requirements for larger scale AV deployment in Singapore when the technology is ready. We will then be able to develop robust infrastructure, policy and regulation.

While vehicles don’t get nervous before the actual test like us, their technology and operating environment must be sound before they can carry passengers.

On the roads

With all systems set, it’s time to gauge the ability of AVs in the real world. Don’t worry, there are qualified safety operators who are trained to take immediate control in emergencies. It is part of our commitment to equip them with the know-how on advanced smart technology.

Think of it as an appetiser for greater first-and-last mile connectivity. When scaled island-wide, on-demand and dynamically routed as well as fixed-schedule autonomous buses and shuttle services will make our public transport more convenient and accessible for commuters, especially for the elderly and mobility-challenged.

Always improving

Our trials provide important lessons on how to shape and refine AV implementation in Singapore. Safety is of utmost priority.

LTA adds a layer of safeguards through mandatory AV regulatory requirements. These include having comprehensive insurance coverage against third-party liability and property damage, and being fitted with a “black-box” data recorder which stores video footage and data to support investigations in case of accidents.

Most of all, we have to ensure that Singapore’s infrastructure allows autonomous and regular vehicles to coexist.

So don’t be surprised when you’re on the roads next time and see the bus beside you steering itself. It’s not a creepy encounter, but cutting-edge technology at work.