SMRT consults panel of experts to improve its rail network

A panel of engineering and transport experts met for the first time on Monday to make recommendations on how rail operator SMRT could improve the performance of its rail network. -- ST FILE PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
A panel of engineering and transport experts met for the first time on Monday to make recommendations on how rail operator SMRT could improve the performance of its rail network. -- ST FILE PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

A panel of engineering and transport experts met for the first time on Monday to make recommendations on how rail operator SMRT could improve the performance of its rail network.

SMRT chief executive Desmond Kuek had said last year that he would put in place a technical advisory panel to beef up its engineering strengths. On Monday and Tuesday, Mr Kuek hosted the panel of international and local technical experts.

The panel is chaired by Professor Alfred Huan, executive director of A*STAR's Institute of High Performance Computing, and comprises seven members from A*STAR, NUS, NTU, SUTD, Imperial College, KCPM Consulting and Sentosa Development Corp. SMRT said the panel gave advice on initiatives about rail engineering development, business process re-engineering and technological innovation.

The operator said it will hire more engineers in the coming years, and move towards a Publicly Available Specification (PAS55) certification, a standard for the management of infrastructural assets.

Said Mr Kuek: "Our engagement with leading technical experts demonstrates SMRT's commitment towards strengthening our operational performance. The Technical Advisory Panel has brought new insight and ideas to improve SMRT's capability development and processes, as well as in technology innovations exploitation. We look forward to studying the recommendations in greater detail."

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