- Lawrence Ng
Virtual Bus Lane With Electronic Sign Boards Along Lorong Ah Soo To Be Tested Next Month
Updated: Sep 28, 2021
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) just announced a trial run for a virtual bus lane called "Virtual Right of Way" in Lorong Ah Soo, which will run from mid-October 2021 until mid-January 2022. Touted as a "road of the future", the lane will have electronic sign boards along Lorong Ah Soo towards Hougang Ave 3 that will automatically light up when a bus is approaching to encourage motorists to give way. LTA assured drivers they will still be able to use the lane for turning during the trial.
The authority also stated that installation and testing works for the electronic panels started on 27 September 2021. On the same day, LTA announced on Facebook that the initiative uses technology to promote gracious road behaviour and facilitate smoother journeys for commuters.
Transport researcher Meng Xie did a research project on Virtual Right of Way, which she described as a cooperative bus lane system that seeks to enhance bus operation while lessening possible negative impacts on private vehicles.
"It creates a flexible bus priority lane that is only activated on demand with the advanced information and communication technologies, which can maximise the usage of road space. Recently, I am preparing for this concept to be conducted in a field trial and I'm really excited about it," Xie said about Virtual Right of Way.
Currently, Singapore has 211km of bus lanes that give buses the right of way from 7:30-9:30 a.m. and from 5-8 p.m. on weekdays. 23km of these are full-day bus lanes that motorists can travel in from 7:30 a.m.-11 p.m. from Mondays to Saturdays.
An ongoing project is being conducted to provide more bus lanes to Singaporeans. The North-South Corridor, once construction has finished, will be Singapore's longest Transit Priority Corridor and will have bus lanes, cycling trunk routes and pedestrian paths for public usage. Slated for completion in 2027, it will span 21.5km and connect the Northern region to the city centre.
Written by Sophia Lopez