Reader Response Draft 1

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According to Tay's "Tapping Tech for Smoother Traffic” (2018) the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) has greatly improved traffic in Singapore. Singapore struggled with its transport system after gaining independence in 1965, resulting in heavy traffic delays. These issues were tackled by implementing more road systems as stated in the article. However, better traffic management was still needed by the 21st century to deal with increasing vehicle population and complex roads. Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) started focusing on technology to improve traffic efficiency and safety. Hence, the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) was launched. 

The ITS introduced various systems such as the Green Link Determining (GLIDE) system to improve traffic flow by adjusting the green time at traffic signals according to real-time vehicle and pedestrian volume. Other ITS such as the Expressway Monitoring & Advisory System (EMAS) contribute to safety. The EMAS features cameras along expressways to detect obstructions and monitor speed. When operators detect an accident or breakdown, they activate a recovery crew and alert motorists of the situation via electronic sign boards along expressways.  As a result, road accidents in Singapore reduced significantly. Smoother traffic allowed for reduction in time travel for motorists and public bus users alike. Singapore also topped the 2017 Global Smart City Performance Index by Juniper Research (Tay, 2018). The article provides the benefits of the ITS, which supports the claim that the ITS has improved traffic in Singapore.

Aside from the EMAS, ITS has improved traffic safety by installing roadside sensors and cameras on roads. According to the article “On the road with IOT” (2017), these sensors and cameras are used to collect data about traffic, weather, and other environmental conditions. The data is then fed into a vast network of communication pipes that run parallel to the roads, allowing them to respond appropriately. Instructions can be relayed to digital signage, which may contain alerts for passengers about upcoming conditions. The system could also simply change the street signaling sequence to adjust traffic flow. In addition, the posted speed limit can be adjusted to warn cars to slow down during wet weather (GovTech, 2017).

Singapore has also become one of the least congested major cities thanks to ITS. In the article “Singapore: Intelligent Transport System” (2013), Singapore has an average car speed  on main roads of 27 km/h, compared to an average speed of 16 km/h in London, 11 km/h in Tokyo, and 5 km/h in Jakarta. This is an impressive feat considering that the Singapore population has more than doubled since 1990 (C40 Cities, 2013).

In conclusion, I support the claim that the ITS has significantly improved traffic in Singapore. Moreover, the ITS is still upgrading transportation technology in Singapore to improve equity and efficiency. This progressive approach, along with a citizen focus, allows the country to continue pushing the limits of urban mobility. 

References

Tay, Q. W. (2018, 13 July). Tapping Tech for Smoother Traffic https://www.clc.gov.sg/docs/default-source/urban-solutions/urb-sol-iss-13-pdfs/11_case_study-singapore-intelligent-transport-systems.pdf

GovTech Singapore (2017, 21 September). On the Road with IOT https://www.tech.gov.sg/media/technews/on-the-road-with-iot

C40 Cities (2013). Singapore: Intelligent Transport System  https://www.c40.org/profiles/2013-singapore



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