A study is in place to integrate AMDs into streets in a safe and complementary manner. Will it work?

The Ministry of Transport has been actively creating a safe environment where users of active mobility devices (AMDs) and pedestrians can live cohesively in community spaces. How exactly will Singapore keep cyclists and other road users safe?

The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Siemens have developed an innovative software platform named the Urban Mobility Platform to assist FIA member clubs to conduct studies in their cities.

As an affiliated club to FIA, AA Singapore has undertaken this initiative to enhance its understanding of the impact of AMDs in Singapore and assess viable options for integrating AMDs into Singapore’s transport system safely and harmoniously. This effort aims to facilitate the assimilation of AMDs on Singapore’s streets in a safe manner.

Study of Different Neighbourhoods
With the support of LTA and the statistics provided, FIA, Siemens, and AA Singapore kicked off the project in July 2022. The project was divided into three environments with very different footfall, namely an industrial and commuting environment, a neighbourhood environment, and a leisure and high pedestrian footfall environment:

• Bedok-Chai Chee (Industrial and Commuting Environment)
• Ang Mo Kio (Neighbourhood Environment)
• Marina South (Leisure and High Pedestrian Footfall Environment)
  

  Bedok-Chai Chee

  Based on the Siemens simulation software study, it was found that the unsafe level generally increases when cyclists were presented with a wider shared path. In such places, providing wider paths for AMD users may not improve the safety level as it may encourage cyclists or AMD users to travel at faster speeds, and other alternatives should be explored.

  Better results might be witnessed if a segregated path to separate cyclists from pedestrians and cyclists from the opposite direction is integrated. Keeping the cyclists in a separate lane will allow them to comfortably ride at their own pace without holding up traffic.

  Ang Mo Kio

  Removing intersection slip roads increases vehicle delays, but generally results in increased level of safety for AMD users as the potential collision point has been removed. AMD users will reduce their speed or stop within the vicinity, and any potential risk of collision will occur at a lower speed.

  For AMD users, since slip roads are removed, they will be able to continue moving at normal speed with fewer waiting or stopping points, potentially resulting in shorter travel times to cross the intersection. This will also allow users of private transport to relax more while driving without having to worry about cyclists.

  Marina South

  In Marina South, it was found that increasing path width may not improve the level of safety as similar to the Bedok-Chai Chee study, cyclists or AMD users may be encouraged to travel at faster speeds. Bicycle boxes can help avoid risk of collision, especially when combined with a pre-signal for cyclists. This is also the easiest and cheapest solution.

  Conclusion
  AA Singapore has concluded the project and gained a deeper understanding of the impact of AMDs. Potential options have been evaluated to have AMDs integrated into Singapore’s transport ecosystem in a safe and complementary manner. Now, all that is left is to realistically implement some of these measures one at a time to improve safety.

  This approach is important in enhancing safety and ensuring the smooth integration of AMDs on our streets. By taking deliberate steps forward, we aim to create a more resilient urban mobility infrastructure that meets the needs of all stakeholders while advancing towards a sustainable future for Singapore’s transport landscape.