Singapore has announced a significant investment of S$800 million over the next five years to advance research and innovation in the transport and connectivity sectors. This funding, more than doubling previous allocations, aims to reinforce Singapore's position as a global transport hub. The 2030 programme will focus on two primary areas: autonomy and digital twins for connectivity. Approximately two-thirds of the funding will be directed towards these initiatives, with the remaining third allocated to sector-specific research in aviation, maritime, and land transport. This includes developing next-generation testing and certification frameworks for autonomous vehicles and unmanned aviation systems, as well as autonomous maritime operations and cargo transloading using robotics and embodied AI.
The digital twins for connectivity workstream seeks to create end-to-end visibility, prediction, and coordinated orchestration of cargo and passenger flows. By integrating transport data across various modes and applying AI-enabled simulations, this initiative will support the planning and management of movement of goods and passengers as a single, connected system.
In aviation, the research will focus on building new capabilities to meet rising demand for air travel and increased air cargo volumes. This includes leveraging AI to optimize flight movements, anticipate and mitigate weather disruptions, and provide decision support tools for air traffic controllers.
In the maritime sector, the investment will support autonomous port operations, safe and efficient delivery of alternative energy, smart ships, and intelligent and integrated port services. This aims to enhance port efficiency and support the transition towards cleaner fuels in line with Singapore's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
For land transport, the focus will be on next-generation autonomous mass transit technology and automated rail depots. Research will explore upgrades to improve the performance and resilience of rail systems and support the development of highly automated rail depots using AI and sensors for predictive maintenance and automation of maintenance tasks.
This comprehensive investment underscores Singapore's commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to transform its transport ecosystem and maintain its status as a world-class global transport and connectivity hub.