Use smart technology to better manage road traffic

It is good to learn that the National Environment Agency (NEA) is imposing stiffer fines for motorists who leave vehicle engines idling when they are not in traffic (“Stiffer penalties for taxi fare cheats, drivers who leave engines idling; April 30).

Besides the NEA, the Land Transport Authority also has a role in minimising the occurrence of motorists leaving their engines idling so as to reduce air pollution.

As we move towards becoming a Smart Nation, I hope that our road transport network incorporates smart traffic management. While Singapore has an excellent road infrastructure, there is still room for improvement in traffic management.

A comprehensive study on traffic signal junctions could be carried out in order to improve the coordination of traffic signalling at junctions, thereby optimising traffic flow and reducing unnecessarily prolonged vehicle idling at traffic light junctions.

A smart traffic signal system should be able to handle fluctuations in traffic volume during peak and off-peak hours too.

Currently, it is quite common to encounter interrupted travelling along a stretch of road which has junctions with traffic lights. Many a time, vehicles have to stop at red lights although there are no pedestrians and no traffic coming from the other directions.

A Smart Nation with a smart traffic signal system will have more efficient traffic movement, minimising wastage of fuel and reducing pollution due to waiting at traffic junctions.