SMRT implements AI-powered bus monitoring system for driver safety

AI-summarized · Neutrality-checked

On August 28, 2026, Singapore public transport operator SMRT launched "Bus 4.0," a S$6 million (US$4.7 million) AI-powered bus monitoring system inaugurated by Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow at the Gali Batu Depot. The system uses real-time camera and sensor data to detect driver fatigue, harsh braking, and vehicle proximity, while also verifying the secure placement of wheelchairs. Operational since June and currently covering over 1,200 buses, the initiative transitioned service controllers from manual CCTV monitoring to an automated "intelligent operations" model that flags specific safety risks for intervention.

Consequences

SMRT expects the new system to reduce incident response times by allowing controllers to address risks before they affect commuters or lead to bus breakdowns. The integration of driver performance metrics into an incentive app, where safety alerts impact annual voucher rewards, is likely to standardize driving behaviors across the fleet.

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