FTRL Blog Updates

Some thoughts about recent announcements about transport research and innovation, and what that means in the context of recent social discussions. https://medium.com/from-the-red-line/the-enterprising-technologist-f466f52c1213

Some reflections on what the opening of CCL6 means, and what more there is to do. https://medium.com/from-the-red-line/after-the-dust-settles-on-circle-line-6-6df7af127cb8

A key milestone for the CRL was reached late last month, with the arrival of the first train to Singapore. Ahead of schedule, even. Perhaps we can take advantage of this to deliver the CRL faster, but it all depends on whether the team sees the opportunity. Read more in the blog: https://medium.com/from-the-red-line/can-we-now-build-the-crl-faster-50b0af072b67

With the approaching Circle Line Stage 6, new information systems have been rolled out across the line. There's been plenty of debate about how it was done. But I think that it's just rough around the edges, and only some refinement is needed. Though we must be careful not to overcomplicate things and add too much information to what should be a simple A-or-B choice. Read more in the blog: https://medium.com/from-the-red-line/many-definitions-of-a-circle-24b497709418

The day is coming when we can finally say "the Circle Line is a circle". But before that day comes, there is much that is getting better. Alas, that also means there is a lot more to do, including how they get the word out about it. Now that the Circle is unbroken, there is plenty to retrospect on. Read more in the blog: https://medium.com/from-the-red-line/now-the-circle-is-unbroken-a44933b8e031

There's been a lot of recent news on rail projects. What these news tells us is how much more work we have to do. https://medium.com/from-the-red-line/the-opening-times-are-a-changing-09fdb764d168

Just a bit of thinking out loud about who benefits when the Singapore MRT runs more trains. https://medium.com/from-the-red-line/the-case-for-running-more-trains-84ee9e8fbcb8

There are many hard questions to be asked in public transport. There will be hard decisions and choices to be made. What's relevant may not be what decision to make in the first place or how it's made. The hardest part of all might be to communicate it throughout the decision making process, so I'm not sure if this is the right way forward. https://medium.com/from-the-red-line/do-we-need-a-land-transport-masterplan-bfe7d9c5a9c3

In an energy crisis with high oil prices, many Singaporeans already use public transport, so we're already doing what we can. To achieve energy efficiency and network sustainability, policy must maximise not only what is already built, but also what's being built. Some notes in the blog: https://medium.com/from-the-red-line/the-energy-crisis-and-public-transport-60013028ad3f

The recent Rail Reliability Taskforce seems to tread a lot of familiar ground that's been covered before on the blog. That's good. It means they see what needs to be done. But this is only the start of a long road. The task force's focus still seems to be narrow and focused on short-term projects. Long-term reform may also be needed, with their recommendations also affecting how we build new lines, and transforming how the rail industry works in the long run. Read more in the blog: https://medium.com/from-the-red-line/solving-the-polycrisis-of-rail-36b0d397febb

I welcome progress on the rail expansion plans announced last year. But it's not enough. It doesn't address project timelines dragging on, or reliance on foreign labour. So I think we need to go further. We need to build smarter, bringing in more technology to improve built environment productivity. We need to build more inclusively, to let more Singaporeans play a part in rail expansion. Recent budget surpluses put us in a position to pay for all this. So why not do it? https://medium.com/from-the-red-line/a-better-billion-for-singapore-f7416e026157

Technological progress gives us not only new ways to do old things. Perhaps we can bring back some old ideas, that may not have worked with the tools we had back in the day, but are worth revisiting with what we have now. https://medium.com/from-the-red-line/can-the-best-response-be-to-react-1ce5077dde03

In public consultation for the Land Transport Masterplan "refresh", a common request is for for fast express trains. I think there's a better way, that uses what we have and what we're building. That will help more people for the same investment, while still working for our city. More in the blog: https://medium.com/from-the-red-line/do-you-need-express-trains-revisited-31bfee90ba82

I think plenty has happened in the last month to remind us all, just how important open data is, and why operating practices are no substitute for effective systems. Read more in the blog: https://medium.com/from-the-red-line/lessons-from-the-buspocalpyse-fd7b7f8259ad

There is critical work that will need to be done in the foreseeable future. But what matters is not just whether we need to do it. What matters is also how we approach these projects. https://medium.com/from-the-red-line/to-renew-is-not-always-to-rebuild-13df863b6217

We are building things. And there may be new policies that aim to make commuting better. But these policies and developments cannot solely target the daily commuter. We must also ask ourselves why they even need to travel that way. Read more in the blog: https://medium.com/from-the-red-line/is-individual-responsibility-enough-846d665042b9

It's happening. Finally. But there may yet be a long, long way to go. https://medium.com/from-the-red-line/the-north-south-line-upgrade-d3e28258ce71

The "rail reliability task force" claims that it wants to build new capabilities in emerging technologies. Do they know what's out there? Are they matching with the right people? Do we have the skills to implement such technologies? These questions need to be answered to truly progress together. https://medium.com/from-the-red-line/how-can-we-progress-together-1b9b2e188b3c

New year, new profile picture! In time to come this will also be history, I guess...