Public Transport Service Quality Improvement Using Universal Design Standards and Advanced Vehicle Technologies

Recent transportation policies have been towards encouraging model shift from private vehicles to public transportation (PT) and hence reduce the adverse effects of private transportation while ensuring the best use of the land resource. Singapore, one of the most densely populated countries in the world, has been developing policies for a carlite society such that PT trips will constitute 75% of the morning peak hour journeys. Customer satisfaction is the main determinant in travel mode choice. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to serve the increased demand while improving the customer satisfaction. A semi-rapid transit (SRT) system is currently being developed for Singapore which aims to complement the current PT systems of Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) subway and busses. The SRT vehicle is designed to incorporate the Universal Design (UD) Principles as well as the advance vehicle technologies such as autonomous driving and electric powertrain. This paper discusses how the implementation of the UD Principles and vehicle technologies in the new SRT vehicle improve the service quality in terms of comfort, accessibility, security, information, and environment. The service quality aspects are compared with those of the current bus system.