SINGAPORE: Work is underway to ensure that physical
infrastructure, such as bus stops and pedestrian overhead bridges,
keeps pace with the improvements made to the public transport
network here.
The work, which will be conducted island wide, will
include the installation of sensors that activate lights on
pedestrian overhead bridges, the use of energy-saving LED lights
along pedestrian underpasses and linkways, as well as more safety
bollards being built at bus stops.
All new overhead bridges are currently installed
with sensors which switch off most of the lights after midnight
when there are no pedestrians using them.
The sensors will be gradually implemented to existing overhead
bridges, said a Land Transport Authority (LTA) spokesperson.
Under this system, a pedestrian's movement will trigger the
sensors, located at the entry points of the overhead bridge, which
will in turn activate the lights.
Between midnight and 7am, only lights at the entrances and
staircases will remain switched on for security reasons, while the
rest will be turned off.
More than 180 of the about 500 pedestrian overhead bridges here
have thus far been fitted with the system.
The LTA, however, said these sensors will not be extended to bus
stops due to the constant movement around it, which frequently
activates the light sensors and thus rendering them
ineffective.
"Bus shelters have to be well-lit at night to ensure safety and
easy navigation by commuters. As there may still be commuters
passing through the bus shelter after midnight, switching off the
lights may pose a safety concern," added the LTA
spokesperson.
To ensure the safety of commuters, the LTA is also rolling out its
installation of safety bollards at all bus stops. These barriers
were first introduced in 1999 at selected bus stops, such as those
located along roads with speed limits of 60kmh and above.
The implementation started from the Central Business District and
is currently being installed in residential areas in the
heartlands.
The use of these bollards will eventually be extended to bus stops
in industrial areas as well. The LTA has installed 12,900 safety
bollards as of Oct 1 at 2,960 bus stops.
And in an effort to promote environmental sustainability in the
transport network, the LTA has also begun to use LED lights in all
new commuter facilities, such as pedestrian overhead bridges,
pedestrian underpasses, linkways, bus shelters, and taxi
stands.
LED lights will also be installed at existing commuter facilities
when the lighting is due for replacement.
- TODAY
