Singapore’s comprehensive and well-maintained road network has positioned the city-state as a strong candidate for the deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs). However, industry experts and transport operators warn that significant technological gaps remain before these vehicles can fully replace human drivers.
The Path to Driverless Operation
According to a spokesperson from the Land Transport Authority (LTA), AVs must follow a strict safety progression. Before they can operate on public roads, vehicles are required to demonstrate their ability to navigate the network via a closed-circuit test.
Once cleared for public roads, AVs must carry a safety operator as an additional safeguard for other road users. The LTA noted that a transition to driverless operations without these operators may only occur after the vehicles clear necessary readiness assessments.
The ‘Human Element’ in Bus Operations
Despite infrastructure readiness, private bus operators argue that many operational nuances are difficult for technology to replicate. Mr. Lionel Lee, director of Westpoint Transit, noted that AVs currently lack the ability to make “on the fly” decisions, such as rerouting during an accident.
Lee also highlighted the risks regarding passenger welfare, stating that passengers who injure themselves or require medical assistance would not be attended to without a human on board. While remote monitoring could potentially manage these situations, Lee cautioned that this could result in “doubling down on resources” to cover technological shortcomings.
Mr. Dexter Ang, marketing manager of A&S Transit, added that drivers frequently rely on human descriptions to locate places. His company, which transports workers between construction sites and dormitories, often faces unforeseen challenges like inclement weather and roads not reflected on digital maps.
A Global Technological Hurdle
Associate Professor Theseira suggests that complexities in public bus services, such as managing crowded bus bays where space is limited, are currently best handled by humans. He noted that human drivers use discretionary practices regarding when to open doors, all of which would need to be regularized for an AV system.
Theseira described the unhurried traction of AVs as a global problem rather than a local one, suggesting that early advances in the technology “proved to be illusory.” While breakthroughs in the early 2010s showed that AVs could be feasible on public roads, the leap to fully replacing human drivers has not yet been bridged.
Addressing ‘Edge Events’
The difficulty lies in whether technology can reach the level necessary to perform every task expected of a human, particularly lane change maneuvers and picking up passengers. Associate Professor Raymond Ong, a transport infrastructure researcher at the National University of Singapore (NUS), agreed that specific protocols may need to be developed.
These protocols would be necessary to handle “edge events,” which include reacting to jaywalking, illegal parking, sudden lane changes and the requirement to yield to emergency vehicles.
Looking Ahead
Future deployment may depend on the development of these protocols and the ability of AVs to pass more rigorous readiness assessments. The industry will remain human-dependent until technology can better navigate the unpredictable nature of ground-level transit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the LTA’s current safety process for AVs?
AVs must first pass a closed-circuit test before operating on public roads. Once on public roads, they must have a safety operator on board until they clear readiness assessments for driverless operation.
What are some specific challenges mentioned by bus operators?
Challenges include the inability to reroute instantly during accidents, the lack of immediate medical assistance for passengers, and the need to react to human descriptions or roads not found on maps.
What are “edge events” in the context of autonomous driving?
Edge events are unpredictable road situations that require specific protocols, such as dealing with jaywalking, illegal parking, sudden lane changes, and yielding to emergency vehicles.
Do you believe the convenience of autonomous transit outweighs the loss of human intuition and assistance on board?
