Autonomous Bus Trial @ Science Park 2

The On-demand Autonomous Shuttle @ Science Park 2 is undergoing a four-month trial from 4 January 2021 to 30 April 2021.

During the pilot, the autonomous bus plies a fixed route between Singapore Science Park 2 and Haw Par Villa MRT station, covering 6 bus stops. The service operates from 10 am to 5 pm on Mondays to Fridays (excluding Public Holidays).

Commuters may book rides through the Zipster mobile app. A $0.20 fare is charged.

This trial is held concurrently with the Autonomous Lunchtime Shuttle @ Jurong Island, another autonomous shuttle.

Background

Two units of the ST Autonomous Mini-Bus, or ST Autobus are deployed on the trial (registered RD3177U & RD3178S). These electric minibuses are used for ST’s autonomous vehicle development, and retrofitted with an array of exterior sensors.

The Autonomous Bus Trial was officially launched Monday, 25 January 2021, despite having commenced several weeks earlier.

Main Article: ST Autonomous Mini-Bus (Autobus) | Land Transport Guru

The vehicle operates autonomously only within Science Park 2, and are manually driven outside of Science Park 2, in accordance with the LTA’s geographical restrictions on where these autonomous vehicles can operate. Each bus is staffed by an SMRT safety operator.

The trial is held in partnership with ST Engineering, SMRT, and GPS Lands. Testing of the autonomous buses along the route was observed in December 2020.

A similar on-demand autonomous bus trial was held in Sentosa over three months in 2019, featuring the same two autonomous minibuses. The Sentosa trial also used a similar mobile app (Ride Now Sentosa) where commuters could book point-to-point journeys. The trial ferried over 6,000 members of the public.

Trial Details

During its operating hours, the shuttle replaces the regular shuttle bus between Science Park 2 and Haw Par Villa, which plies the exact same route. It is typically operated by a Tong Tar coach during peak hours and a minibus during off-peak hours.

All bus stops participating in the trial have promotional posters.

Mobile Application

Commuters may download the Zipster app via the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

An earlier trial in Sentosa used the Ride Now Sentosa app, developed by ST Engineering Land Systems. The concurrent Jurong Island autonomous trial uses the SWATRide app.

Safety Measures

Every autonomous vehicle on the route is manned by a safety driver who is trained to take over immediate control of the vehicle should the need arise. The safety driver is further supported by a vehicle fault system that will immediately alert the safety driver of any faults, and cede control of the AV to the safety driver.

Safety drivers for the trial are staffed by SMRT personnel.

In addition, the autonomous vehicles use electronic signs to signal that they are operating autonomously, for easy recognition by road users and pedestrians.

Gallery:

See Also:

• Autonomous Buses in Singapore | Land Transport Guru
• Autonomous Bus Trial at Sentosa | Land Transport Guru

References

• Park Shuttle Service – Singapore Science Park [Accessed 25 Jan 2021]
• Trial of commercial autonomous buses to run at Jurong Island, Science Park 2 until end-April – CNA (channelnewsasia.com) [Accessed 25 Jan 2021]
• Pay to ride on driverless buses in two areas of Singapore until April 30, Transport News & Top Stories – The Straits Times [Accessed 25 Jan 2021]