Reader Response Draft 2

In the article, “Singapore revs up engine for autonomous vehicles race”, Noble (2019) reports on how Singapore is pursuing and competing with other countries on incorporating driverless vehicles into their transportation system. In recent years AVs have slowly been on the rise in Singapore. To swiftly step up efforts on incorporating driverless vehicles, multiple organizations in Singapore have collaborated to implement the TR(68). The TR(68) was developed to inculcate safety into implementing driverless vehicles. Elaine Chao (2019) stresses that “AV could pave the way for road safety, citing that 94% of vehicular accidents have taken place due to human error”. With the implementation of driverless vehicles, it will give assurance towards a safer driving and better mobility catered to those with disabilities and old age. While I agree with this to some extent with Noble’s central assertion, I feel that the writer only talks about the positive aspects of AV while leaving out the negative.

Firstly, even with the Technical Reference (TR68) introduced to ensure the safe deployment of AVs in Singapore. It still raises the concern on whether the AVs is safe to be driven on Singapore roads just by solely relying on (TR68). AVs depends on using sensors to navigate around and can pose a risk to the driver if it were to malfunction or fail during the drive. Poor and drastic weather condition can also be another factor that may interfere with the sensor. According to the new scientist website, Klein (2016) mentions how a driverless vehicle system failed to apply its brakes which resulted in the tragic death of the driver. In the main article, the writer failed to give examples or provide strong justification on how AVs are safely deployed in Singapore.

Secondly, with a growing ageing population in Singapore, it opens up the option for the government to further incorporate AVs into their transportation system. Although AVs can help improve mobility and safety on the road, there are also certain limitations and constraints to consider. Based on the website business insider website, Muio (2016) highlights some of the constraints of AVs. It includes not being able to respond to situations which involve large crowd, reading off road signs, GPS and other technology not registering cordoned areas or obstacles. Unlike other countries, Singapore roads are often congested and filled with obstacles, making it difficult for AVs to move around. This addresses the problem of whether AVs can help improve the mobility and safety for Singapore, which was something the writer failed to look into.

Lastly, the cost of implementation and development of AVs does not come cheap. Based on the website halffastchicago website, the author listed cost as one of the biggest disadvantages of AVs. A regular AV can amount up to a hundred thousand, which an average person may not afford. Although the development of AVs in Singapore is well underway, the government needs to take into account the high cost of supporting the development and maintenance of AVs. 

In conclusion, despite Singapore showing steady progress in their efforts to incorporate AVs into the transportation system, they also need to look into developing solutions on mitigating its constraints and limitations.


References:

Alice, Klein (2016). Tesla driver dies in first fatal autonomous car crash in US. Retrieved October 4, 2019, from https://www.newscientist.com/article/2095740-tesla-driver-dies-in-first-fatal-autonomous-car-crash-in-us/

Danielle, Muoio (2016). 6 scenarios self-driving cars still can’t handle. Retrieved October 4, 2019, from https://www.businessinsider.sg/autonomous-car-limitations-2016-8/?r=US&IR=T

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Autonomous Car (n.d.). Retrieved October 4, 2019, from http://www.halffastchicago.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-autonomous-car/

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