Singapore rail operator SMRT has received an international award from the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) for its innovative employment of artificial intelligence (AI) in monitoring train services.
During the UITP Global Public Transport Summit held in Barcelona, the renowned international transit advocacy organization presented SMRT with the 2023 award for operational excellence.
These esteemed awards aim to recognize and celebrate the most ambitious and inventive projects across the globe.
SMRT’s groundbreaking initiative, known as Project Overwatch, is presently operational on the Circle Line. By utilizing real-time monitoring and AI technology, it constantly scrutinizes the rail line and promptly notifies the operations control center (OCC) of any irregularities or anomalies.
The implementation of Project Overwatch allows SMRT to proactively reduce potential delays, expedite operational responses, and minimize disruptions and inconvenience to commuters, as stated by the public transport operator.
Developed in-house and launched in October 2020, SMRT’s Overwatch initiative relies on AI and video analytics.
Developed in-house and launched in October 2020, SMRT’s Overwatch initiative relies on AI and video analytics. The company plans to gradually introduce the digital platform on the North-South and East-West Lines during the first quarter of 2024. Subsequently, it will also be deployed on the Thomson-East Coast Line.
SMRT has announced its commitment to continuously enhance Overwatch by incorporating additional features such as data analytics for train passenger load monitoring, bus information, and calculating carbon emissions from travel routes.
Expressing his admiration for SMRT’s project, UITP secretary-general Mohamed Mezghani praised its ability to surpass expectations and improve the quality of urban life by promoting public transport as the primary mode of urban and local mobility.
SMRT’s vision for the future extends beyond Overwatch, with ongoing efforts to develop and implement additional features and improvements that will further improve the public transport system in Singapore.