Cisco Joins Singapore's Initiative to Create Next-Generation Public Transport System

Cisco, in association with Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA), is planning to offer innovative services to the country’s public land transport system. The collaboration between Cisco (News - Alert) and Singapore LTA is part of the Singapore Urban Transport solution initiative and aims to promote Singapore as a center for research into world-class urban transport solutions.

 

To facilitate research, Cisco and Singapore LTA will collaborate with leading research and industry partners and build Singapore's capabilities in the area of urban transport solutions.

 

Using national networks as the platform, Cisco has developed innovative public transport applications in Amsterdam, San Francisco and Seoul. These solutions deliver integrated services to residents to better manage traffic flow, increase efficiencies in public transport, and optimize real estate resources.

 

One such solution, the Connected Bus, which Cisco developed in collaboration with San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority (SFMTA), is a hybrid bus with a mobile hot spot that allows citizens to work while they ride. The Global Positioning System (GPS) service available in the bus gives commuters an updated status of bus routes and connections. Additionally there are LED displays to provide information on emissions saved through public transit. There is an automated system that reduces the environmental impact of the bus through better maintenance.

 

Apart from the Connected Bus, Cisco also plans to bring the Personal Travel Assistant (PTA) to LTA's Singapore Urban Transport Solution Framework. PTA helps citizens to make more informed decisions on day-to-day transportation options based on schedule, financial and environmental implications. The solution is accessible from any Web-based interface such a mobile phones and PDAs. PTA is currently being pilot tested in Seoul.

 

“Cisco is pleased to be selected by the LTA to participate in this landmark initiative. Singapore has been a pioneer in its adoption of information and communications technology, and the Singapore Urban Transport Solution framework is yet another area where the country could set the standard,” said Tom Cheong, Cisco's managing director for Singapore and Brunei, in a statement.

 

With the help of the country’s next-generation national broadband network and the countrywide Wireless@SG, Singapore is using the network as a platform to change the way people work, live, play and learn.

 

“The end goal of it all is to establish Singapore as a great city with world-class infrastructure and services. This is a very strong message for the rest of the world,” Cheong added.

 

Apart from Cisco, the Singapore Urban Transport initiative also include Economic Development Board of Singapore, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, IBM, Singapore Technologies Electronics and 3M (News - Alert) Technologies