The future awaits you in Singapore

First published in ITS World Congress Preview - September 20, 2019

Imagine a future where our landscape is not dominated by private transport infrastructure such as car parks and private cars, but new forms of shared mobility complementing our public transport system which enable us to get around comfortably and conveniently. A future where a robust and comprehensive rail network can bring us to our destinations quickly and efficiently; self-driving shuttles and pods that will bring us from our doorsteps to the train stations, enhancing our first- and last-mile connectivity.This is Singapore’s vision of smart urban mobility;its essence captured in the 2019 World Congress theme “Smart Mobility, Empowering Cities”.

Actually, visitors to the ITS World Congress 2019, being held from 21-25 October at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, won’t have to do too much imagining the future of mobility: much of it will be here. And not just within the Congress programme, but in the host city itself.

Singapore is rightly proud of the extensive progress made in technological advancements for its various transport systems and is recognised as a world leader in the deployment of ITS systems and services. In a report by consulting firm McKinsey last year, titled Elements Of Success: Urban Transportation Systems Of 24 Global Cities, Singapore’s transport system was named the world’s best overall, based on five criteria – availability, affordability, efficiency, convenience, sustainability.

On the roads, Singapore deployed its ERP (electronic road pricing) traffic management system, a world first, back in 1998, to address road congestion. The Singapore Changi Airport is a major aviation hub in Asia, and as a maritime centre, Singapore is the world’s busiest port in shipping tonnage, with over 1,000 vessels calling at the port at any one time.

In all forms of transport and mobility, Singapore is a stand out world leader and innovator. And this 26th Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress 2019 from 21 to 25 October at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, will be a stand out event in every way.

Unmissable is an overused term, but it accurately sums up this ITS World Congress, hosted by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore and ITS Singapore.

This Preview magazine highlights some of the key features of this not-to-be missed event and what you can expect, experience and enjoy from attending it. But do check out the website, and if you haven’t already, register to attend what will be one of the biggest and most important transport industry events of the year.