image: The Smart Mobility Experience Centre (SMEC) at NTU Singapore include interactive displays for visitors to learn about the smart fleet management systems supporting the new electric bus fleet plying the campus. view more
Credit: NTU Singapore
ComfortDelGro Bus has launched Singapore’s first Smart Mobility Experience Centre (SMEC) at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) for its new fleet of electric buses.
The SMEC, located on the NTU Smart Campus, is the first such centre open to members of the public. It is equipped with state-of-the-art systems that can track real-time ridership, the location of the buses, and the electrification progress of the fleet. The new electric buses are fitted with a host of telematics devices, including Global Positioning System (GPS), battery management hardware, and offers powerful data collection capabilities. They also come with a passenger information display system that allows commuters to be informed about the bus route and the next bus stop.
These advanced technologies allow operations staff at the SMEC to monitor the deployment and performance of the NTU electric bus fleet for improved service reliability across the campus. Data collected through the electric bus fleet would also be used to understand ridership trends to make predictive interventions for a smoother commuting experience for the NTU community. For example, more buses may be deployed to specific routes when there are spikes in ridership which will also help mitigate overcrowding at bus stops.
The interactive features of the SMEC are open to the public round the clock, and visitors can look forward to an engaging experience through touchscreen panels. Among the displays include two 43” panels showcasing the NTU Omnibus app, a new and convenient mobile app jointly powered by ComfortDelGro Bus and NTU, which enables commuters to better plan their journey on campus. It also allows users to check the real-time locations of buses as well as get updates on bus arrival times and passenger occupancy levels in the oncoming buses.
Mr Jackson Chia, CEO of Private Mobility Group, ComfortDelGro said: “The whole idea behind setting up SMEC on the NTU campus is to enable us to engage the NTU community-at-large. With the ability to collect and analyse data in real-time, we are better able to improve the scheduling and deployment of our electric bus fleet. Visitors to the Centre can also appreciate the environmental impact of their in-campus journeys. This would not have been possible if not for the support of NTU, and we look forward to providing a fully electrified shuttle bus fleet before the end of the year.”
The move to a fully electric shuttle bus fleet at NTU was first announced in February 2022, as part of the University’s Sustainability Manifesto, which aims to propel its wide-ranging sustainability efforts over the next 15 years and solidify the University’s position as a global leader in sustainability. ComfortDelGro Bus was awarded the electric bus fleet tender and started operations at NTU on 1 September 2022.
Ms Tan Aik Na, Senior Vice President (Administration), NTU Singapore, said: “NTU is committed to decarbonisation and sustainable development under our Sustainability Manifesto where we strive to achieve carbon neutrality, along with a 50 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2035. The University’s partnership with ComfortDelGro Bus not only reduces the University’s carbon footprint but is also aligned with the NTU Smart Campus vision, where we leverage technology to support better learning, living, and working experiences on campus. We look forward to a greener and improved campus shuttle service for the university community, supported by the new Smart Mobility Experience Centre.”
Better commuting experience benefiting the environment
Beginning this month, the NTU campus shuttle service will progressively switch to electric buses, offering a greener way to travel for the University community of more than 40,000 students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Two electric buses will begin operations for a start. NTU’s fleet of 19 shuttle buses plying the NTU main campus at Jurong West will be fully electric by December 2022.
The launch of SMEC will allow the NTU community and visitors the opportunity to learn about smart fleet management systems, and how tech-enabled solutions like bus ridership can influence outcomes that affect them as commuters. Commuters may also share feedback and ideas with ComfortDelGro Bus directly at the SMEC.
Carbon avoidance campaign
A new six-month carbon avoidance campaign will also be rolled out beginning today. In partnership with Poseidon Impact, a Singapore-based climate tech start-up, the new campaign aims to showcase the positive impact of switching from a diesel to an electric bus fleet and encourage the NTU community to reduce their carbon footprint. Passengers who have commuted on an electric bus will be able to view how much carbon footprint they have reduced each time they record their journey on the tablet located at SMEC.
Every recorded electric bus ride contributes to the growth of animated trees displayed on a screen at the SMEC. The more electric bus rides recorded, the faster the virtual trees grow. The aim is to eventually grow a #SMECForest. An emissions analysis of both diesel and electric buses will be conducted with scientific accuracy to reveal the amount of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e) avoided, and the total number of trees grown.
“As we electrify our fleet, we wanted to reach out to our passengers and show them how they were contributing to conservation efforts. Working with Poseidon is a fun way to do this, and we hope it encourages people to go green even in their daily commute,” said Mr Chia.
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Background
About ComfortDelGro
ComfortDelGro is one of the world’s largest land transport companies with a total fleet size of about 34,000 buses, taxis, and rental vehicles. We also run 177km of light and heavy rail networks in Singapore and New Zealand. Our global operations span seven countries – Singapore, Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, China, Ireland, and Malaysia.
About Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
A research-intensive public university, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has 33,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Engineering, Business, Science, Medicine, Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, and Graduate colleges.
NTU is also home to world-renowned autonomous institutes – the National Institute of Education, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Earth Observatory of Singapore, and Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering – and various leading research centres such as the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI) and Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N).
Under the NTU Smart Campus vision, the University harnesses the power of digital technology and tech-enabled solutions to support better learning and living experiences, the discovery of new knowledge, and the sustainability of resources.
Ranked amongst the world’s top universities, the University’s main campus is also frequently listed among the world’s most beautiful. Known for its sustainability, over 95% of its building projects are certified Green Mark Platinum. Apart from its main campus, NTU also has a medical campus in Novena, Singapore’s healthcare district.
For more information, visit www.ntu.edu.sg