LTA: Comfort DelGro to pause U-turns at Punggol junction after another AV incident that almost hits vehicle
LTA: Comfort DelGro to pause U-turns at Punggol junction after another AV incident that almost hit vehicle
SINGAPORE: A ComfortDelGro autonomous shuttle nearly collided with an oncoming vehicle while making a U-turn in Punggol Field on Nov 5.
The near miss was captured by the oncoming vehicle’s dashboard camera and shared by the Facebook group SG Road Vigilante. The footage shows the blue-purple shuttle turning across the path of an approaching car.
The car appears to have little room to avoid the vehicle as it moves across the road. The video’s caption alleged that the shuttle turned out without first carrying out a safety check.
LTA orders ComfortDelGro to suspend U-turns
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) confirmed that it was aware of the incident and had begun investigating.
The incident happened during ComfortDelGro’s testing of an autonomous vehicle route intended for an enhanced on-demand service. LTA said the route wasn't part of the company’s existing shuttle service.
As a precaution, LTA directed ComfortDelGro to stop making U-turns at the junction until its review is completed.
Michael Huang, Head of Singapore Point-to-Point Mobility Business at Zig by ComfortDelGro, told Mothership that the company was looking into the incident with its technology partner and LTA. He added that safety was taken seriously and the circumstances would be assessed.
Another Punggol incident raises safety concerns
The near miss came after another autonomous shuttle in Punggol was recorded almost hitting a schoolgirl crossing at a green pedestrian light on Nov 5.
The earlier incident involved a shuttle making a discretionary turn. The girl stopped and stepped back as the vehicle passed in front of her.
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LTA had separately directed Grab to also pause testing at such junctions while investigations continued. Grab and ComfortDelGro operate different autonomous shuttle routes in Punggol.
Driverless technology may offer more transport options, but public safety depends on how safely these vehicles handle everyday road situations.
Safety comes before the schedule. No test route is worth putting road users at risk.
Read related: LTA: Grab to suspend some self-driving vehicle tests after vehicle nearly hits schoolgirl in Punggol