THE days of being wedged in MRT gates could end soon for
commuters with prams or luggage.
SMRT said yesterday it will unveil new, high- tech gates in the
third quarter of next year that will ensure passengers do not get
clipped while entering or exiting. The company operates the
North-South and East-West lines in Singapore.
It is trying to get the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to put in
the gates at all existing and upcoming stations.
Fourteen sensors lining the sides of the gate will be capable of
differentiating between humans and objects such as prams, trolleys
and suitcases. This means the gates will stay open long enough for
commuters to pass through.
The new gates will cost between 20 and 30 per cent less than the
current $30,000 each.
SMRT general manager for business development David Ho said:
'Apart from cost considerations, we have also had public and staff
feedback about being clipped by the gates at times.'
The new gate will also feature indicators to show which lanes
are open and an electronic screen to display error messages.
The invention was on display at a small exhibition held in
conjunction with the 15th AsiaRail International Congress, which
opened yesterday.
Over 200 rail specialists are meeting at the InterContinental
Hotel Singapore till Friday to discuss investment opportunities,
airport rail projects and rail security systems.
LTA chief executive Yam Ah Mee highlighted Singapore's plans for
rail infrastructure when he gave the opening address at the
congress yesterday.
The blueprint for the next 10 to 15 years will require a budget
of about $54 billion. The bulk of this - about $40 billion - has
been committed to rail extensions such as the Thomson Line, which
will connect the Thomson area to Marina Bay, and the Eastern Region
Line, which will run along the east coast to the city, he said.
Other lines will be extended, more stations will be made
barrier-free and the fleet expanded.
By 2020, the country's rail network is expected to cover 278km,
double the current tally.
A rail station should then be within 400m of any point in the
city centre, or a five-minute walk to or from the centre. All
neighbourhoods should also have at least one station, Mr Yam
said.
