Transport gallery reopens after S$3.7m facelift, with more interactive features

SINGAPORE — Get a glimpse into the future of the Republic’s transport system at the new SG Mobility Gallery.

Formerly known as the Land Transport Gallery, which was opened in 2008, the 1,000sqm space was officially declared open by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Wednesday (Sept 19). It is located at the Hampshire Road office of the Land Transport Authority (LTA) near Little India.

The gallery, which had an annual visitorship of 30,000, was given a S$3.7 million facelift as part of the Land Transport Master Plan, which will chart the roadmap for Singapore’s land transport system until 2040 and beyond.

“With the development of the next master plan underway, it is timely to launch the SG Mobility Gallery to provide a glimpse into the future of our land transport system,” an LTA spokesperson said.

Visits to the gallery are entirely self-guided, as it is divided into seven highly interactive zones, which are expected to be updated yearly.

A training simulator for visitors to experience what it is like to drive a bus, as seen during the media preview of the SG Mobility Gallery on Sept 14, 2018. Photo: Nuria Ling/TODAY

Aside from providing detailed information about Singapore's various public transport choices, the gallery allows visitors to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes and puts a face to the people who keep Singapore's transport network running.

Visitors are also given a glimpse of the technology that is being tried out by the LTA for possible public use in the future, such as a hands-free ticketing system.

There are several games that allow visitors to try their hands at driving a bus via a virtual reality headset, or even plan a neighbourhood’s transport needs.

A flagship Knackstop Shop sells transport-related souvenirs, and all net sales proceeds go towards the LTA Cares Fund, which is dedicated to the transport needs of the disadvantaged. For example, the funds have been used to retrofit six vehicles to transport persons with disabilities, and to buy a driving instructional car for the Handicaps Welfare Association.

The SG Mobility Gallery will be open to the public from Thursday (Sept 20). Opening hours are every Monday to Friday, from 9.30am to 5pm. Admission is free and no booking is required.

WHAT YOU CAN SEE

Zone 1: Entrance and Land Transport Hero Academy

• An interactive digital wall display, dubbed Jamie, serves as the gallery’s virtual concierge providing information on the gallery’s exhibits.

• Check out the number of people at each exhibit in real time to avoid the crowds.

• For those with children under the age of seven, a section at the entrance uses interactive games to introduce them to the various personnel working within Singapore’s transport network, such as traffic marshalls and the Expressway Monitoring Advisory System (EMAS) recovery crew.

Zone 2: Moving Singapore

• A four-player game allows you to assume the role of an executive at a land transport operations centre, who has to manage congestion along Singapore’s road network.

Zone 3: Connected Towns of Tomorrow

• Detailed wall panels highlight the trade-offs that transport planners have to make to optimise transport efficiency, while making public transport convenient and inclusive for commuters.

• Manage the transport needs for residents of a virtual town at a giant interactive table.

Zone 4: Future Mobility

• Showcases the technology that LTA is using, as well as what it is exploring for the future, such as a concept for an autonomous bus.

Zone 5: Future Forward

• View possible features of Singapore’s land transport system through a video projected onto a 270-degree panoramic screen.

Zone 6: Experience Zone

• Experience what it is like to drive a bus or fix railway tracks, by donning virtual reality headsets or augmented reality visors.

Zone 7: Changing Gallery & Knackstop Shop

• Share your thoughts and appreciation for Singapore’s transport system on a pledge wall.

• Get some souvenirs to support people with disabilities.

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