Set to transform land transport in Singapore, Autonomous Vehicle (AV) technology can open up new mobility options for commuters, allow goods delivery and utility operations such as road sweeping to be done more efficiently, as well as alleviate the manpower constraints in the land transport industry.
In particular, the deployment of AVs will improve the accessibility and connectivity of our public transport system. Commuters that need point-to-point mobility to the nearest train station or the town centre will be able to hail autonomous shuttles on demand. This may be especially useful for the elderly, families with young children and persons with disabilities. By making public transport more convenient and inclusive, we hope to reduce reliance on privately owned cars, ultimately reducing congestion on the roads.
With fewer cars on the roads, carparks and roads can be converted to other uses such as parks and communal space.
When AV technology matures and becomes commonplace, it is likely that our roads will become safer, as accidents resulting from human error are gradually eliminated.