Unable to deliver even a decent train service, Singapore’s state-owned public transport operator SMRT just splurged undisclosed millions using F1 racing technology to operate public trains. The UK-based McLaren Applied Technologies will be paid to implement race-car technology to monitor the performance of the Singapore trains. Specified performance details, which are mostly unnecessary, will be used to monitor the trains which travel at only a maximum of 80km/hr.
High speed rail like Japan’s Shinkansen do not even use these highly-specialised data.
SMRT CEO Desmond Kwek poured praises for himself claiming that SMRT is the “pioneer” behind rail conditioning-monitoring:
“In Singapore, SMRT has been pioneering the development of rail condition-monitoring sensors to minimise disruption to our commuter service, optimising train performance by detecting and rectifying emerging defects early. We look forward to collaborating with McLaren Applied Technologies to elevate this capability further, combining our engineering expertise in rail with their proven capabilities harnessing sensors, telemetry and software in motorsport.”
According to Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan, rail reliability has improved even though the number of train delays have increased. The Singapore government often depends on fake data and statistics, using biased measurements to forward their propaganda. In their latest rail reliability data, software “glitches” are omitted from the calculation.