Rise of Autonomous Vehicles in Singapore and How SMRT is Leading the Change

1. Rise of Autonomous Vehicles in Singapore and How SMRT is Leading the Change The Singapore government has been paving the way for autonomous vehicle (AV) mobility system as part of the ‘Smart Nation’ movement. Singapore has now taken the number one spot in terms of testing, developing, and adopting AVs for the common public. A report by KPMG strengthens the fact that Singapore is the leading country to have better infrastructure, government support, and consumer acceptance for autonomous vehicles. The Rise of AVs in Singapore The government of Singapore has opened the Centre of Excellence for Testing and Research of Autonomous Vehicles (Cetran) at Nanyang Technological University. The government is also planning to increase changing points for AVs from 1,600 to 28,000 by 2030. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) works with CETRAN and other partners for developing the necessary standards and testing regimes for AVs. LTA has deployed autonomous buses and autonomous on-demand shuttles in Punggol, Tengah and the Jurong Innovation District. LTA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore's R&D agency, A*STAR with an aim to set up the Singapore Autonomous Vehicle Initiative (SAVI). The initiative will explore the technological possibilities that AVs can bring for Singaporeans. Anticipating the rise of autonomous vehicles, SMRT Corporation, a leading multi-modal transport operator in Singapore, has signed a Research Collaboration Agreement with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to develop autonomous buses. The company launched the autonomous bus in March 2019 and conducted trials on the NTU campus and public roads. Earlier in 2016, SMRT formed a joint venture with Getthere Holding B.V amid the growing demand for Autonomous Vehicles. The joint venture used Group Rapid Transit (GRT) vehicle to operate autonomously in demanding weather conditions using 2getthere’s proprietary software for navigation. The GRT proved to be a low-cost automated transit system. SMRT CEO Neo Kian Hong said, “We have signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) to raise the competencies of our people in SMRT Trains and SMRT Buses. Our training plans include the Multi-Track Career Scheme, where our Roads colleagues will learn to lead and manage operations, and support the maintenance of future Autonomous Vehicle.” SMRT Chairman Seah Moon Ming commented on the company’s efforts to include new technologies in land transportation, “The Engineering Group aims to position the Company to exploit the advancement in land transportation technology and to stay relevant as the technology landscape and business evolve.” Conclusion The government and transport operators aim to make public transport more convenient and inclusive. SMRT is developing new capabilities and investing in new technologies such as Intelligent Transport Systems, Electric Vehicles (EV), Autonomous Vehicles (AV) and Demand Responsive

2. Transport (DRT). The government is investing in point-to-point mobility solutions. The rise of autonomous vehicles will help to reduce the use of privately owned cars and congestion on the roads.