Slashdot Mirror
Singapore To Use Driverless Buses 'From 2022' (bbc.com)
Singapore plans to introduce driverless buses on its public roads by 2022. From a report: The government says they will be piloted in three new neighbourhoods which will have less-crowded roads designed to accommodate the buses. The buses will be used to help residents travel in their communities, and to nearby train and bus stations. Densely-populated Singapore hopes driverless technology will help the country manage its land constraints and manpower shortages. "The autonomous vehicles will greatly enhance the accessibility and connectivity of our public transport system, particularly for the elderly, families with young children and the less mobile," the Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said. The autonomous buses are expected to complement existing manned bus services, and will initially operate during off-peak hours. Additionally, the government plans to let commuters hail on-demand shuttles using their mobile phones.
Driverless vehicles could follow specific routes and get power from wires -- they could have almost no battery capacity. Minimizing the meet for batteries could be environmentally great. Basically trams without the rails.
Fixed route in a city with no snow would be a nearly perfect test application. Basically a tram without tracks.
While I agree, I hear Singapore is very clean and the type of place where lines get repainted and signs fixed in short order. It may be the only place in the world where self driving can work, especially on fixed routes like buses have.
Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.
Years ago, my brother was involved the design of a light rail program here in Toronto (the "Kenney Line" to Scarborough Town Centre) with the idea that they would run without any transit employees on board.
The idea got nixed when somebody asked what happens if a woman gets assaulted?
Mimetics Inc. Twitter
What happens on the subway if a woman (or man) gets assaulted now? The driver isn't going to stop the train and go all the way back to stop them. Last time I was in Toronto, I don't remember seeing security guards on the cars. Don't they just have emergency buttons for this very purpose? The train could just stop at the next station until the problem is resolved. Most likely the other passengers would put a stop to any assault, and if they didn't, I don't see how the driver (who might also be a person of small stature) might make any difference in the situation.
Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
The idea got nixed when somebody asked what happens if a woman gets assaulted?
Emergency buttons and a live 911 camera feed? With the ability to speak over the intercom to let them know the police is watching them right now and officers are on the way to the next stop. If they're smart they might release the fire alarm so the emergency exists must open, but still. Of course it wouldn't help if the one being assaulted is alone and nobody is there to push the button, but how is that different from a woman assaulted anywhere else? It's not like we can have stewards watching all women at all times in case something bad happens.
Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings