Trials of a world-first next-generation smart bus stop have
been initiated in Singapore today to address the dual problems of urban
heat [1]
and air pollution (PM2.5) faced by commuters.
The Airbitat Oasis Smart Bus Stop delivers energy-efficient,
sustainable cooling with no waste heat generation, using water to cool air to
as low as 24°C to address urban heat. Air purification technology removes
harmful airborne particles such as PM2.5.
In addition, the bus stop harnesses digitalisation and data
analytics to transform the commuter's overall transit experience.
The "Airbitat Oasis Smart Bus Stop" is located
along Orchard Road, in front of Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station/ Plaza Singapura. It
was developed over a period of 18 months by Innosparks, an ST
Engineering Open Lab. Innosparks will trial the Smart Bus Stop for a period of 12
months in front of Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station/ Plaza Singapura from March 2018.
Enhanced cooling
It leverages the already proven technology of the Airbitat
Smart Cooler which has been successfully deployed in other commercial and
industrial urban spaces in Singapore, such as the Singapore Mandai Zoo, Resorts
World Sentosa, and CHIJMES by Innosparks. The cooler does not use any refrigerants
or compressor and is up to 70% more energy efficient than air conditioners with
similar cooling capacity.
Cold water is generated in the upper segment of the cooling
system by flowing water through panels of evaporative medium. This uses
evaporative cooling which relies on the fact that heat is required to convert
water into vapour. The same principle explains why the evaporation of sweat
cools the body. Creating a reservoir of cold water boosts the cooling cycle
over what can be achieved through conventional evaporative coolers.
Cold water fuels the heat exchanger in the cooling system. Ambient
air passes over the hear exchanger, rapidly lowering air temperature without
adding any moisture. The cooled air passes through a second panel of
evaporative medium, emerging as deeply cooled air streams, with temperatures
from 24 degree C (output temperature is highly dependent on ambient conditions).
Air purification
Large particles such as debris and dirt are trapped in a filter.
Then the small particles pass through an electric field and become charged. Electrically
charged plates attract particles and remove them from the air.
The cooled and fresh air is then channelled through nozzles
in air ducts near the roof of the bus stop, and directed at commuters waiting
at the bus stop.
Sensors and analytics
The Smart Bus Stop incorporates advanced machine learning
and sensors that detects ambient conditions and commuter traffic to adjust
modes and deliver energy-smart cooling.
Sensors in the bus stop detect ground operating conditions
(e.g. temperature, humidity, commuter traffic etc) and dynamically adjust the
modes in which the air should be cooled. During a period of relative lull, the
system powers down to standby mode.
The sensors are also used to track data for analysing
average waiting time by commuters at the bus stop, commuter flow and the number
of people at a bus stop at any one time.
The bus stop has a camera with inbuilt computer vision and
advanced analytics that allows it to detect suspicious activities such as
loitering and unattended bags. Currently the data is being hosted by ST Engineering
for testing purposes.
Finally, the sensors also provide live updates of
temperature and PM2.5 concentration level readings within and outside of bus
stop which are displayed on the digital panel for commuters' information. Information
on bus routes is displayed in an additional digital panel for commuters' easy
reference.
Findings to be shared
with government agencies
Findings from the trial such as the average commuter wait
time and commuter flow at the bus stop will be shared with LTA and other
interested government agencies.
Through data collected from the bus stop technologies, and surveys
conducted of commuters, Innosparks will also explore how Airbitat Oasis
technologies (such as its overhead air cooling and purification unit) can be
deployed in other ways to meet citizens' needs in various public outdoor
spaces.
One possible application is the use of an overhead Airbitat
Oasis unit in other public outdoor locations, such as hawker centres, to offer
both outdoor cooling and air purification capabilities.
"Designers of Smart Cities need to reimagine
infrastructure and design solutions that improve their liveability for
citizens. With this world's first Airbitat Oasis Smart Bus Stop, ST Engineering
is trialling an approach of harnessing technology and innovation to transform
land transport infrastructure so that even simple daily activities such as
waiting for a bus can be greatly improved through data analytics, air cooling
and purification technologies," said Mr Gareth Tang, Head, lnnosparks, an
ST Engineering Open Lab.
"We are pleased to provide a platform for innovative
ideas to be test bedded to improve land transport. ST Engineering has offered
to fund and test bed their concept of the Airbitat Bus Stop, and showcase its
innovative air cooling technology which have other applications as well. We
welcome more local companies to test bed ideas that could help make commuting more
pleasant,” said Mr Yeo Teck Guan, Group Director for Public Transport at the
Land Transport authority (LTA).
[1] The
Urban Heat Island effect occurs due to a combination of factors, including: (1)
heat-trapping buildings and infrastructure, (2) reduced vegetation, (3) urban
geometry, and (4) increased anthropogenic heat from human activities including
traffic, industrial activities, lighting, air-conditioning (AC) etc.
