An integrated multimodal mobility concept for Singapore-
Singapore is a relatively convenient and hassle-free city to drive in. It has a well-connected road network, good road quality, as well as an efficient public transportation system. However, travel time and traffic conditions in Singapore are becoming rather unpredictable. On-road congestion shows little sign of waning, despite new regulations pushing up the cost of car ownership. Despite a limited space serving a rising car population, the desire of Singaporean’s to drive needs to be met. Public transport has also been affected due to the staggering increase in commuters, which has led to overcrowding and delays of trains and buses.
The government is focusing on providing solutions and devising policies to address both private and public transport concerns. Apart from governmental efforts, it is also important for commuters to change their mindset. Moreover, with the world’s urban population doubling every second, it would be nearly impossible to modify transportation infrastructure to keep up with such growth. Therefore, to meet the demand for ever greater transportation capacities, new and attractive concepts are needed to simplify intermodal travel and make it easier for travellers to optimise the usage of the various transport modes to reach their destination safely and conveniently.
Challenges for Singapore
The cost of vehicle ownership is extremely high in Singapore: a negative side effect of this has been that owners tend to drive more frequently in order to get the most out of their upfront investment, hence increasing total mileage and adding to the frequency of vehicle occurrence on roads. There is a need for a solution that would enable Singaporeans to enjoy the privilege of car ownership while discouraging them from driving frequently.
Another issue is the congestion brought about by the single or, at most, dual modes of transportation used. As Singapore has a widespread mass rapid transit (MRT) network, with most locations accessible via the MRT, the MRT is the primary means of transportation for public commuters. Individuals who cannot afford a car but still want the convenience of individual transport use taxis as their main means of transport. However, taxi bookings are often difficult during peak periods.
There is an apparent divide between those who commute via private transport and those who commute via public transport. For instance, it is hard to convince car owners to take public transport, especially with congestion spilling from the roads on to public transport networks as well. At the same time, public transport commuters are too habituated to their direct singular mode of transport, thus failing to engage in efficient travelling via multiple modes of transport. They do not take full advantage of the modes of transport available (e.g., cycling, buses, trains, taxis, car sharing, etc.). Hence, there is a need for an integrated solution that incorporates the ease of private transport and the low costs of the available public transport.
Moving towards sustainability – Need for an integrated platform
In order for a country like Singapore to maintain an efficient transport network with sustainable levels of road traffic, it is important to identify ways to incorporate the benefits both of public and private transport.
Marrying the benefits of public and private transport
Multimodal transport is an easy and efficient way for all commuters to travel. Currently, there are apps available to advise drivers on the best possible routes to reach their destination, as well as separate apps for public transport. What is needed is an integrated platform or application that takes into account all the modes of transport and suggests the most feasible and economical options for commuters.
Essentially, multimodal transportation can enable commuters to lower the cost of transport, while incorporating the benefit of individual travel. Individual multimodal mobility service can be offered as a combination of car sharing, taxi service, and public transport. Vehicles can be picked up and dropped anywhere in the city, with taxis and public transport serving as alternatives. Customers would pay a flat rate based on usage.
Siemens has developed an integrated mobility platform (IMP) that makes it easy for operators to integrate complementary mobility services into their own portfolio. This single platform enables various mobility services to be pooled so as to facilitate the planning, booking, and billing of multi-modal travel. Integrated information and mobile payment systems help travellers to choose the mode of transportation, find the best available fare, and switch to alternative travel options in the event of delays.
The IMP enables easy and multimodal travel for commuters by offering travel information in real time and, with cooperation between service providers, a wider range of mobility services and attractive price models. This enables commuters to travel by bus to the nearest car rental stop and continue on their journey via a rented car which then allows them to take the MRT home when the roads are expected to be filled with after-office-hour drivers.
A central billing process via the IMP allows for the billing of all the mobility services used, with the passenger receiving just a single invoice. A mobile ticketing application or card-based solution, such as the Siemens e-Ticketing solution with its check-in/check-out and be-in/be-out functions, records the various transportation services, distances travelled, and changes of class. Only the most economical fare option for the route actually taken will be charged.
During peak hours, the waiting time for taxis is long. With options such as picking up a car from a neighbouring car park, commuters can cut down on the waiting time. Priority bookings could be included under the individual multimodal mobility service.
Germany is already taking a step forward in this aspect. As part of the Berlin-Brandenburg Electromobility Showcase, the German government announced development of a central IT platform to integrate the various mobility services across different operators, thus providing commuters with seamless end-to-end connections for commuters.
Lowering carbon dioxide pollution
The availability of multimodal travel will provide a catalyst for a shift in mobility behaviour towards a stronger acceptance of public transport, especially among the new riders in Singapore. Making public transport the mode of choice will go towards lowering the emissions per passenger distance travelled.
Car sharing companies under the multimodal system can opt to offer fuel efficient and eco-friendly vehicles to reduce the amount of emissions per vehicle. Cities can benefit from the IMP as well. All-inclusive, environmentally benign traffic management that employs the IMP gives cities an effective tool with which to reduce congestion, offer people attractive route planning, improve utilisation of infrastructure, obtain information about transportation needs, and reduce emissions.
Go – Green light ahead
There already is a noticeable shift in the mindset of commuters: they are seeking out alternative solutions such as car pooling and car sharing. It is a positive sign that there is a growing acceptance of the notion of shared car ownership. Thus, there is a possibility that new riders will prioritise the convenience and economical option of multimodal mobility to meet both their travel needs and desire to drive over the hefty investment of car ownership. If we become more receptive to the possibility of multimodal transport, efficient and greener commuting could be on the way.
Markus Zachmeier is Senior Vice-President of Siemens Mobility and Logistics and the Division Cluster Lead for the ASEAN-Pacific region. He is responsible for leading Siemens business as an international provider of integrated technologies for complete transportation and logistics solutions. With more than 20 years of experience in the railway business, Zachmeier is widely recognised as a leading expert in the rail industry.
