Singapore's LTA, NTU agree to launch self-driving bus trial

Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) signed agreements with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Wednesday to collaborate on a series of transport research projects, including self-driving bus trial.

LTA will partner the NTU's Energy Research Institute to develop autonomous bus technologies, including conducting a self-driving bus trial for fixed and scheduled services for intra- and inter-town travel, said LTA and NTU in a joint release on Wednesday.

The institute will test and develop their self-driving vehicle technology with two electric hybrid buses under the collaboration.

It aims to outfit existing buses with a suite of intelligent sensors and develop an autonomous system that can effectively navigate Singapore's local road traffic and climate conditions, enabling the self-driving buses to operate safely and efficiently.

According to the release, roads between NTU and CleanTech Park, located within Jurong Innovation District, have been earmarked as potential test routes for the self-driving bus trial.

It is envisaged that the trial could be extended in future to ferry commuters.

Professor Lam Khin Yong, NTU Chief of Staff and Vice President (Research), noted that current efforts worldwide have been focused on cars, this autonomous bus trial, the first-of-its-kind in Singapore, aims to improve road safety, reduce vehicle congestion, alleviate pollution and address manpower challenges.

Besides, LTA and NTU will conduct joint research to develop and design a real-time condition monitoring prototype to detect early signs of defects in traction power systems, so as to enhance preventive maintenance for the rail network. Endit