1.0 Background
When licensed companies started selling approved Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), this can potentially increase the number of users travelling on shared paths and footpaths and are permitted to bring it onto public transport. It created jobs for delivery riders and brings convenience to users. However, with an increased amount of PMDs, risks of an accident are bound to happen regarding safety. Safety accidents are mainly collisions and battery explosions. Collisions do happen regardless of any speed that users are proceeding with, without good situation awareness and proper usage of the machine then it has a chance for an accident to happen. Battery explosions are mostly electrical issues with the circuitry or batteries. These could be manufacturing defects or improper PMD usages such as overcharging of batteries or usage of unsuitable charger or battery. Causes of these accidents may be due to recklessness or complacency. In the worst-case scenario, these could lead to deaths to the user or road users. The ideal situation would be for PMD users and pedestrians to coexist with one another.
1.1 Current Situation
PMDs were introduced in Singapore in 2013 and only in 2017 then it started to get popular among the citizens as an alternative mode of transport to work. Since 2017, there were 213 reported cases and from those 213 cases, 152 were on roads and 46 in public spaces. From this rise in accidents, the government has implemented laws such as the Active Mobility Act in aims to improve the cohesiveness of pedestrians and PMD users sharing the same footpaths. The Singapore government has been under a lot of stress as the citizens are questioning their safety on footpaths after a steep increase in accidents caused by PMD users. Many of the accidents were caused by teenagers or young adults which is a huge problem for the public because of their recklessness. A part of young riders was observed to be riding modified electric vehicles which surpass the requirements of an approved electric vehicle. Modifications done are mainly on the rear wheel with a stronger motor which increases the speed of the vehicle. Regardless of whether a PMD is modified or not, safe speed also does not determine zero-incident. PMD users are also seen not wearing safety gear while riding and are very reluctant to wear because of many factors like the hot weather or the ugly features of the gears. Another problem which highlights the safety issue is non-certified UL2272 PMDs. The UL2272 standard was adopted by LTA as it covers the electrical system of the whole device to reduce the risk of PMD fires. Many PMDs today in Singapore are still non-UL2272 certified and are still allowed on the roads until June 30, 2020, after which it will automatically be de-registered and not allowed to be used on public paths. Battery fires have also been a problem today because of over-charging of PMDs or using unsuitable chargers and LTA has already implemented voluntary disposal of non-UL2272 certified PMDs with a cash incentive for early birds who disposes their vehicles before November 30, 2019. This program encourages users who have non-UL2272 PMDs to surrender their device volunteeringly. Vehicles which are UL2272 certified does not determine no fire risks. After many recommendations and solutions implemented, there has not been much improvement to the situation.
1.2 Context of the Problem
As mentioned above in the current situation, over the years, accidents involving PMDs have increased in great numbers. Concerned citizens are constantly worrying over their safety while walking on footpaths and shared paths around their neighbourhood. The debate over whether this mobility device should be banned in Singapore is still an issue as many believe that there are other possible methods to solve this problem.
1.3 Main Stakeholders
The main stakeholders that are impacted by this would be the government agencies and PMD-related businesses. For licensed PMD retailers, the impact would be on their business profitability. With newly revised rules and regulations by LTA and Active Mobility Act (AMA), these retailers often suffer a loss in sales in order to comply with restrictions. From the article “New laws throttle back PMD sales” by Lim (2018), Chew Boon Hur, Mobot’s General Manager mentioned that there was up to 40 per cent drop in sales as potential customers are hesitant of purchasing PMDs due to new rules that they have yet to become familiar with.
Government agencies such as LTA bears a great responsibility when it comes to PMD-related issues. They are the ones that govern the law to ensure safety compliance is met when one purchases, sell and use PMDs. Not only that, LTA often becomes the source of blame whenever a serious issue pertaining to PMDs arise.
Although they are not part of the main stakeholders, the general public is also greatly impacted in terms of their safety. The general public would include pedestrians and PMD users. Due to recent accidents, there has been a bad light shone over PMD users. There are reckless riders, however, there are a majority of those such as the disabled and deliverymen who uses the PMD for mobility and livelihood. Although PMDs bring convenience into our lives, it may also harm our safety when it is under the control of complacent riders. Ensuring that the pedestrians feel safe travelling and sharing the same footpath with PMD riders should be a top priority, hence, the impact would be on the safety of their lives.
1.4 Importance of the Situation
Government agencies such as LTA are implementing new rules for PMDs on the ground. LTA are the ones that can rectify the current situation with PMDs to prevent any conflict with the community and PMD users. It is important to take note of how the PMD-related businesses are impacted by the current situation as without people buying or illegally modifying their PMDs, such businesses would be facing a huge loss on their products. With the new laws and regulations on PMDs, there has been a decreasing amount of sales on PMDs.
2.0 Problem Statement
When licensed PMD retailers started selling LTA-approved Personal Mobility Device(PMDs), it enabled users to purchase and use it as an alternative mode of transport. This increased the number of users travelling on footpaths or shared paths which led to higher risks of accidents which are caused by recklessness and complacency. The ideal situation would be for PMD users and pedestrians to coexist with one another.
3.0 Purpose Statement
The objective of this proposal is to suggest strategies that can be implemented by the Land Transport Authority to increase safety awareness about the benefits of using PMDs.
4.0 Proposed Solution
The proposed solution is to educate riders with a safe riding program which includes both Practical and Theory lessons.
Practical: - “Ride a PMD” Simulators can provide users with a virtual experience of what it is like to be on the footpaths or shared paths to enable them to have better situational awareness when riding. Users must be examined in their situational awareness and how they handle different scenarios to analyse the actions they will take in such situations and ensure that every action they take is justifiable as a safe action. Users must be qualified and pass the simulation test in order to proceed out be a qualified PMD rider.
Theory: - Theory classes have to be attended regardless of any age in order to ride a PMD. Users have to be competent in handling the machine wherever they are and even at home. This is due to the increased amount of collisions and fire risk that is happening in the country. In order for PMD to be continued being regarded as an alternative mode of transport, it is paramount for beginners to have the knowledge to operate one.
Such theory will cover the fire risk such as UL2272 certificate, why is it so important to know what does the certificate mean? And how an unsuitable charger can affect or increase the risk of battery explosion? And how to manage when there is a fire?
Videos of case studies have to be broadcasted as a constant reminder to people who are soon-to-be permitted to operate a PMD. This is because it is important to have a safety habit and mindset when one is operating a PMD and he/she will be able to spread the awareness to other users to always remember to keep the shared paths safe.
With the proposal of developing the “Practical and Theory” Lessons for existing and new PMD riders, we have thought of recommending this to LTA, with selecting the LTA’s Sin Ming main office to conduct theory lesson as well as certain community centres to conduct practical lessons. The reason for conducting theory lessons in the LTA’s main office is because the coverage of different safety topics such as the UL2272 certification and road awareness needs different speakers to relay the topics across the audiences. The course comes with a first to first basis and applicants need to book the dates available for the course online. Practical lessons are to be conducted at selected community clubs because of the open area that is needed for simulation. With practical lessons based at community clubs, it will be convenient for residents around the neighbourhood to attend.
As daily commuters, we observed and experienced trauma when PMD is approaching us. The speed that they are approaching shows no intention of them to give way even though it is a shared path. These does not discourage us from wanting PMD to be banned but instead, PMD is eco-friendly as it promotes lesser usage of fuel-driven vehicles so there are lesser pollution to the environment and it encourages commuters in the country to hop onto this alternative mode of transport.
5.0 Benefits
The benefits of the proposed solutions weigh differently for different stakeholders. Firstly, the group of people that will gain the most benefit would definitely be the citizens, both PMD riders and pedestrians. With the implementation of the above, we are able to increase safety awareness regarding PMD by educating the public. The knowledge imparted onto PMD riders will create a better understanding of the pros and cons of the usage of PMD. Not only will the shared pathways be safer, but the surrounding community will overall have a safer environment to live in as PMD users are now able to handle the device with care, thus, fire breakouts will no longer be a worry.
Secondly, for PMD retailers, sales will improve because the knowledge gained from the Practical and Theory lessons will help potential customers decide whether or not they should purchase the device. Previously, customers found it difficult to make a decision to purchase a PMD as they were not familiar with the rules and regulations that LTA has implemented, which plummeted the sales in the PMD-retail industry. To avoid getting their device taken away, they would rather not take the risk of purchasing the device when they are doubtful of the law. After going through this course, buyers are more certain of the deciding factors when purchasing a PMD. With that, the PMD-related businesses will flourish.
Lastly, as LTA holds the biggest responsibility for managing road safety in Singapore, the result of this course will reduce the accident rates and increase knowledge for PMDs which is ultimately the goal that both us and LTA share. With lesser reported cases around the country, there will be less manpower needed to be deployed to the scene, which leads to more available manpower for developing and focus on other road management issues in Singapore that can be further enhanced.
6.0 Evaluation
Our solution will be able to benefit the majority of citizens as it will be mandatory for all current and soon-to-be PMD users to attend the safe riding course. However, after completing the course, it is down to the individual to abide by the law.
In terms of feasibility, the proposed solution is doable only if we can ensure that the grassroots organisations are willing to embark on this safe riding programme together with LTA. If the grassroots of a particular region in Singapore feels that this is unnecessary due to the low rate of PMD-related accidents in that cluster, they may not receive this offer to start this course in their neighbourhood community centre. The facilities in community centres are mainly used for enrichment purposes and equipped with lessons that are usually catered to the interest of the demographics in that neighbourhood. If the organisation does not see the importance of this Practical and Theory lessons for a neighbourhood with no reported PMD cases, they would not want to advertise such programmes for their people. Furthermore, there are very limited rooms and spaces in most of the community centres here in Singapore. Thus, they would not want to sacrifice their facilities for a programme that may possibly have zero participants.
