Tag: transport

Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) Business Model and Its Role in a Smart City

By:

 

Dr Lee Jian Xing

Principal Consultant

Smart City Solutions

 

Dr Wu Xian

Senior Executive Engineer

Civil and Environmental Engineering Planning

 

Jimmy Lee

Principal Consultant

Smart City Solutions

In the current digital world, many industries are leveraging on big data to improve their businesses such as providing seamless and convenient experience, consumer centric and improving productivity etc. In transport, big data can play a huge role such as Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), Autonomous Vehicle deployment, Electric Vehicle deployment, Next Generation Electronic Road Pricing, etc. A comprehensive MaaS application to help commuters plan their journey seamlessly in terms of time saving, cost saving, or improved comfort level must be created to encourage commuting via public transport. Road congestion is a common problem faced in every city in both developed or developing city. MaaS can help to influence commuters to take public transport or even shift the transport mode if it can demonstrate value add in their daily commute. Proper MaaS business model should be customised for that market, and it can be treated as one of the initiatives under a Smart City Plan. This paper examines how big data in MaaS can shed light in commuters’ travel behaviour and even influence the pattern. We also discuss the different roles undertaken in this ecosystem – such as the government, operators and service providers.

 

Designing racing circuit in New South Wales

New South Wales racing circuit Australia APEX circuit design Bathurst racing circuit dubai autodrome sydney motorsport park
APEX Circuit Design has engaged SMEC, a member of the Surbana Jurong Group, to assist with the design and environmental assessment of a proposed new second circuit at Bathurst’s iconic Mount Panorama.

SMEC Australia has been appointed by a leading international motor racing circuit designer, UK-based APEX Circuit Design, to assist with design and environmental assessments for a racing circuit. The circuit will create a year-round multipurpose automotive destination, the second international race circuit facility near the iconic Bathurst Racing Circuit at Mount Panorama.

SMEC’s extensive NSW and Australian multi-disciplinary major infrastructure experience was recognised and sought by the consortium to provide the right blend of international expertise and local people with deep working knowledge of specific projects to ensure a timely and high-quality product.

Apex Circuit Design boasts an impressive history in the market, having designed international venues such as the Dubai Autodrome and China’s Zhejiang Circuit in addition to upgrades to Sydney Motorsport Park. SMEC, a member of the Surbana Jurong Group, is preparing the detailed circuit design, which is targeted for completion by mid-2019.

Surbana Jurong wins engineering design contract for Adelaide freight route

Adelaide freight route engineering design Australia
Map detailing the road and bridge upgrades involved in the South Australian project, which represents the first major transport design project undertaken by RBG as Lead Designer.

Robert Bird Group (RBG), a member of the Surbana Jurong Group, has been engaged as engineering designer for the design component of the Design and Construct contract of the Regional Bridge and Lobethal Freight Route Upgrade in Adelaide, South Australia.

This is the first project RBG will undertake for the South Australian Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure in the transport space, and represents the first major transport design project undertaken by the practice as Lead Designer.

The contract involves the replacement of six regional bridges, crash barrier upgrades on seven bridges on the Sturt Highway, and upgrading the Lobethal Freight Route. RBG’s tender design was comprehensive and found that the reference designs included in the tender documents did not achieve the government’s objectives. As part of the tender process, RBG provided advice to the contractor that allowed the development of a roadmap to reduce the contractual sum to fit the government’s budget.

RBG’s scope of work includes structural engineering, highway and road design, geotechnical engineering and road safety auditing and certification with the latter specialist services being subcontracted.

The project is scheduled for completion in mid-2019, with the possibility of additional works being added.

In conversation with SMEC’s General Manager Transport, ANZ, Dan Reeve

transport Dan Reeve

Dan Reeve is General Manager for SMEC’s Australian Transport Group and is responsible to the Managing Director, Australia. He coordinates SMEC’s Transport team (Roads & Highways, Rail, Ports, Structures and Traffic & Transport Planning) across Australia and is the Market Sector leader for the Highways & Transport business.

In this role, Dan is responsible for the winning and successful delivery of transport infrastructure, roads & highways and related projects.

With more than 35 years’ experience in Civil Engineering, Dan has direct expertise in the delivery of large design and construct transport infrastructure projects. Through his engineering background, training and experience he has gained extensive experience in, project management, engineering construction, traffic management, design, documentation and cost estimating of roads, bridges, rail construction and civil engineering infrastructure works. Dan is also experienced in the management of civil engineering and transport projects both onsite and in a senior off-site management role.

In recent years, Dan has gained significant experience in the leadership and governance of a number of Highway Projects for the RMS. He has been on the Alliance Leadership Team and SMEC’s Project Director on the Ballina Bypass Project, Banora Point Upgrade, the Northern Hume Alliance and Tarcutta Hume Alliances.

Dan also has experience in the governance of design joint venture boards having been a member of the DJV Boards for the Pacific Highway – Sapphire to Woolgoolga, Hunter Expressway – Kurri Kurri to Branxton, Pacific Highway- Oxley Hwy to Kempsey Upgrade and Princess Highway – Foxground & Berry Bypass and the NorthConnex Projects.

See below a brief exchange with Dan Reeve.

To date, what is the most interesting project you have worked on at SMEC?

The Pacific Highway – Banora Point Upgrade Alliance at Tweed Heads in Northern NSW was an interesting and challenging project. This was a design & construct project completed under an alliance agreement with the Roads & Traffic Authority of NSW, Abigroup Contractors (now Lend Lease Engineering) and Seymour Whyte. This project won the SMEC ANZ Project Award at the annual SMEC Awards in 2014.

I was a member of the Alliance Leadership Team for this project working with senior managers from the RTA and Contractors to provide leadership and governance. I was also the Design Director and had an active role in the delivery of the design for this fast tracked design & construct project, which involved the upgrade of approximately 2.5km of the Pacific Highway through a heavily trafficked, urbanised section at Tweed Heads and had a construction upper limit budget of $322M.

Key aspects included:

  • Construction of six-lane motorway standard upgrade for the through traffic, whilst keeping four lanes of the existing highway open at all times
  • A 330m long viaduct, a 500m long 20m deep cutting with major retaining walls and 75m wide land bridge over the top of the cutting
  • Graded separated interchanges at both ends

As a team, we delivered this project on time and under budget.

ANZ transport

What opportunities are you excited about for SJ Group within your function?

With the support of SJ, SMEC has the opportunity to double the size of our transport team in ANZ in the next 5 years.

SMEC ANZ has a strong Transport team with significant experience in large design and construct projects, and this experience could be utilised by SJ in Singapore and elsewhere.

SJ has a strong Underground Engineering team, and Sydney and Melbourne have major Rail Metro and underground motorway projects coming up in the next few years. To be successful, we will need the support of the SJ expertise to deliver these projects.

What makes you tick? (Professionally, of course)

I have been with SMEC for 21 years and I enjoy my job. I enjoy working with our people and having oversight of a great team. In SMEC’s Transport Group, our people are the reason for our success. I try hard to look after our people, and empower our people to look after our business. I also enjoy working on complex infrastructure projects and seeing multi-disciplined teams working together to deliver great results.

 

Surbana Jurong wins Land Transport Authority cycling park network tender

ang mo kio cycling path network
Extent of the cycling path network, with the CTE towards the east, Lower Peirce Reservoir towards the west, Bishan-AMK Park towards the south, and Yio Chu Kang Road towards the north-west

Surbana Jurong is happy to announce that we have won the LTA tender to develop a cycling path network and linear park in the northern part of Singapore. The park will be part of the Ang Mo Kio Cycling Network and will connect people from Yio Chu Kang MRT through Ang Mo Kio MRT to Bishan – Ang Mo Kio Park.

The proposed linear park is approximately 3 km long, and runs parallel to the North-South Line (NSL) MRT viaduct, with Yio Chu Kang and Ang Mo Kio MRTs as important nodes for public commuting. The park will eventually facilitate seamless connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians within Ang Mo Kio.

yio chu kang cycling path network

The extent of the feature Linear Park, connecting Yio Chu Kang Stadium in the north, traversing Nanyang Polytechnic, Cheng San Community Centre, Ang Mo Kio Central and Teck Ghee Community Centre to the south.

cycling park network singapore

The cycling path network could include overhead cyclist- and pedestrian-only crossings across major roads. (Concept impression only)

sustainability singapore

Segregation of routes and right-of-way prioritisation will be designed into the cycling path network. (Concept impression only)

Our Sustainability team led the tender submission with strong support from our Infrastructure, Landscape and Business Generation teams.

“We are proud to be awarded this tender, what a timely Christmas gift for Surbana Jurong! The linear park will cater to both cyclists and pedestrians with landscaped nodes at various locations that serve as rest points with facilities and access to adjacent amenities that will enhance the cycling and walking experience. We also hope to incorporate sustainable features along the way, such as solar lighting and passive cooling solutions.”

-Tan Szue Hann, Head, Sustainability