//beconfused

TODAY Singapore reports that, in order to solve the MRT squeeze, Singapore is to build two new lines that run parallel to the present routes at the cost of $20 billion.

(Map of the new $20 billion MRT lines. Image credit: TODAY Online)

Answer to the MRT squeeze

THE problem is a familiar one: The passenger squeeze in MRT trains.

The solution is radical at least in the Singapore context: Build two new lines that run parallel to the present routes at a cost of $20 billion.

One will run from Marina Bay and end at Woodlands, very similar to the present North-South route adding new townships like Sin Ming, Kebun Baru, Thomson and Kim Seng. The other will mirror the eastern portion of the East-West Line, running through Tanjong Rhu, Siglap, Marine Parade and Bedok South.

By 2018 and 2020, respectively, the 18-station Thomson Line and the 12-station Eastern Region Line will be up and running.

The routes of the two new underground lines caught National University of Singapore (NUS) researcher Han Songguang off-guard. Said Mr Han: “In most cases, you wouldn’t run parallel rail lines because they would be tapping into the same market.”

Still, Assistant Professor Terence Fan of the Singapore Management University’s (SMU) Lee Kong Chian School of Business pointed out that such a model is seen in New York, London and Hong Kong.

The two new lines are not the only changes to the rail network announced by Transport Minister Raymond Lim in part two of his big bang strategy on Friday: There will also be extensions to the existing lines to be ready by 2015. The North-South Line will be stretched to Marina South to take commuters to the upcoming Gardens by the Bay and the Marina Barrage. And workers at the Jurong Industrial Estate will be able to make use of the five-station Tuas Extension to get to work.

Read more at TODAY Online

My mom’s already confused with the MRT tracks, with an additional 100 stations coming up, she probably has to ask around more often in future. Even as the government announces these new MRT tracks, people are still wanting their cars. I’m not sure if we can even fill the trains by 2020, we’re likely to fill up the roads first.

Hong Kong’s MTR (Mass Transit Railway) is going wireless for 20HK/day. Users will now have the possibility to use a WiFi internet connection in all the stations and trains. Not a revolution but a great step forward for a lot of people there!

It would be cool if all of Singapore’s trains provide the Wireless@SG connections too. The last time I checked, they aimed the bring wireless to most of the public locations for free. It’s a good initiative, but I wish they extend this feature to buses, MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and on-the-road coverages.

When people ask me what I am most proud about Singapore, I’d probably say it’s the transportation system. I like the MRT system most as it is clean and decreases commute time. I feeling inspired.

(Possible map of the future of Singapore MRT stations. Click on the image to enlarge, it will open into a new windows.)

Yeah, it’s just a bloody map, but to me, it respresents people’s dreams, the amount of work they have to do to materialize the whole map. It’s Singapore’s plan of the future that keeps me working on. I guess I don’t believe in past that much, the past is great but let’s make our future greater.

I kinda want to see it in the MRT. I’m sure it would irritate the hell out of half the cabin’s people but it sure looks fun. I think it happened in Paris.

Concert sauvage dans le métro

Nah, I don’t think that would happen to Singapore. If it did and they sing well, I think it would be an enjoyable ride for me.

Just got it in today’s newspaper. The idea is not new, but it’s one step closer to Singapore seeing these things. This is so Minority Report:

(The Straits Times – New transport idea rides on pluses of bus, taxi, train. Graphics by Amran Bin Mohamed, source Monic PRT. Click to enlarge.)

New transport idea rides on pluses of bus, taxi, train

Imagine a public transport system that combines the accessibility of buses, the speed of trains and the privacy and door-to-door service of taxis. And it is cheap.

It is a bold proposition of Monic PRT, a company started by technopreneur Tan Lien Chiow to develop a Personal Rapid Transit network in Singapore.

The system consists of fully automated electric cars moving on rails, coordinated by sophisticated software that determines which station to stop at or skip, depending on demand.

Mr. Tan, 52, said: “The design allows cars to pass stations and even pass each other. This way, stations can be built as close as 50m apart, instead of 800m to 1,000m you usually see for LRT and MRT systems.”

Fares could be as low as 30 cents per ride, Mr. Tan said. “But if they are in a hurry, they can book a carriage for themselves,” he said, adding that booking could even be made via SMS.

He has proposed to build a line linking the science and engineering faculties at the National University of Singapore, and eventually link the campus in Kent Ridge to Dover MRT station.

He said PRT lines take up less space, and a 10km line could cost as little as SG$30 million to build — one-tenth the cost of an equivalent LRT line. Because of its infinite flexibility, he said a PRT line can accommodate 1,000 riders per hour, comparable to an LRT line.

The PRT idea has been around for more than 20 years, but has never been applied on a large scale. most PRTs operate in the United States, on campuses and at airports. London’s Heathrow Airport recently awarded a contract to erect one, the Dubai will have one in its international financial centre.

Source: The Straits Times, Home section, page H3 (May 22, 2006). Purchase a copy of The Straits Times to read more.

(Cars in Minority Report are like PRTs.)

Yes, we may have Minority Report vehicles next time. Now they just have to sort out the eye scans.

Just thought that it is something interesting to see in Singapore. I wouldn’t mind such things in Singapore. I just thought we may have space constraints too. It’s ugly to have them flying around above me.

It doesn’t seem that we’re trying to replace MRT LRT or taxis here though. Maybe they’re just trying to replace bicycles.

External links:

• Wikipedia Personal Rapid Transit
• Monic PRT
• WMV video to explain the PRT system and how it works.
• Proposed PRT system for Microsoft campus, a video too.

It’s quite a busy week for me this week. Sorry that I don’t have the time to spare to read the comments. I’ve been busy surveying for a computer and making a purchase for my girlfriend.

In the end, we settled on one that is moderate in speed, a low end dual core. I probably blog more about it when I have the time.

I am quite exhausted this fortnight. Have quite little rest, hopefully I can finally rest well soon. Today’s the election day. But I need to work since I am not voting. I’ll get back an off day, but I am just too tired aready. I got numerous off for working last weekend and during my duty off and it just accumulates. What I need most is perhaps this off. I want to rest – not accumulate the bloody off. Oh well…

Anyway, I’ll be watching the polls results. Would be interesting fight this year. But PAP would be likely to win anyway. Still, it is at least encouraging to see the new faces.

I just met the PAP ministers at Yio Chu Kang MRT station. They shook hand with everybody and was friendly to them – except me. I look at them and they just stare blankly at me. I guess it’s because I am wearing the military uniform or something. Nice orchids though.

There is a possibility of bombs found in trains and stuff so our government plans to involve commuters with the exercise. Watch out for it, don’t panic and don’t run the wrong direction hopefully.

Twenty-two agencies in Exercise Northstar V ready for action

The 22 agencies involved in an emergency preparedness exercise expected in the next two weeks are all set and ready to spring into action when the need arises.

Exercise Northstar V – which is to be held on a weekend – aims to test the response of different agencies and the public if Singapore comes under terrorist attacks.

The loud sound of a blast will signal the start of the exercise.

“Bombs” are expected to go off simultaneously at 4 MRT stations and 1 bus interchange.

But when and where this will happen will remain a secret to provide an element of surprise.

Only the organisers of this exercise will know what exactly will happen.

During the exercise, the “casualties” involved in the attacks will carry tags to provide paramedics at the scene information on the extent of their injuries.

The paramedics will then have to treat them accordingly and record injuries sustained so that the hospitals they are sent to will know how to treat them.

Most of the casualties will have injuries related to bomb blasts, which includes open wounds and burns.

Some will also sustain injuries related to chemical agents.

It took SCDF 5 months of planning to prepare for this Exercise.

It will involve simulations in the form of smoke generators and fire simulators as well as 500 “casualties” to inject a sense of realism to the whole scenario.

More than 2,000 staff from the various agencies as well as another 3,400 commuters are expected to be involved in the major exercise.

Source: ChannelNewsAsia

It’s probably going to be held soon I guess. I hope that it would increase public awareness of terrorism.

[And on a side note, someone just posted the blog's 2500th comment.]