The Institute of Engineers (IES), SBS Transit and Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (SMRT) came together to produce Singapore’s first railway standards aimed at reducing miscommunication and getting the stakeholders on the same page. The first three areas were launched by the Ministry of Transport on March 23 and is part of a planned thorough set of expectations and terminologies which is to come later.
The newly launched three areas cover terminology and information on the rails, their maintenance and the terms of reference for rail asset management. The standards will eventually also cover maintenance, asset management, service, safety and security. The aim is to make operations more consistent and interoperable, while increasing competency in the workers by detailing the results and method that is expected.
The standards have been developed by 17 working groups involving engineers and representatives from SMRT and SBS Transit, under the supervision of an advisory board on railway systems, which was established last year. The standardisation practices will focus on increasing common best practices to enhance efficiency and optimise operating costs. Ultimately, the guidelines will serve as benchmarks for the rail industry on a regional and international scale.