Expressway Monitoring and Advisory System

The Electronic Monitoring and Advisory System ( Chinese:电子 监控 与 信息 系统/ German: electronic monitoring and information system ), also known by the abbreviation EMAS, is a computer controlled system that is used to monitor the traffic on Singapore highways. The EMAS allows to detect accidents and to quickly respond to it the staff of the Land Transport Authority (LTA ). In addition, it informs the driver about ways to avoid traffic jams.

History

The contract for the construction of the EMAS was awarded by the LTA in December 1996 at the Singapore Technologies Electronics. In the first phase, which was officially launched on 21 March 1998 by the then Minister of Development and Communications John Chen, the system was installed only on Central Expressway.

The system was expanded and in the second phase of the project facilities have been installed around the tunnel of the CTE, as well as to monitor the Ayer Rajah Expressway the East Coast Parkway and the Pan Iceland Expressway. This phase of the project was completed in April 2000.

Facilities

The EMAS consists of a network of electronic cameras and LED display panels, which are mounted at strategic points along the highways. The cameras transmit their data to the ITS Centre, which is located in Clemenceau Avenue. In the data center is staffed 24 hours a day to monitor the traffic situation and look for signs of accidents. If an accident is noticed take further steps, including the traffic police and the SCDF are notified. Then a warning message on the display panels are displayed to the driver informed of the accident and to facilitate the planning of an alternative route. If the highways are free, the display boards are used to display other information, such as Traffic safety information or planned construction work on the road network.

During the second phase of the EMAS project smaller display panels were attached to the highways and also on feeder roads. These smaller display boards are used for displaying the estimated time en route to various destinations and other information. The driving time display, however, was set in April 2003 because the public was looking at this as unnecessary.

Effectiveness and criticism

The EMAS helped the LTA traffic accidents, breakdowns and other incidents to identify quickly. By June 2004, the LTA has all the traditional emergency telephones, from the highways of Singapore, to the CTE tunnel. This was due to the effectiveness of EMAS and the wide spread of mobile phones. The LTA guaranteed motorists who possess no mobile phone that they would not be left without help, because the highways are checked every two hours from tow truck.

However, the system was also some critics who see it as a waste of money, which raises with incomprehensible messages around to watch.