OPENING ADDRESS BY MR RAYMOND LIM, MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND SECOND MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AT THE WORLD ROADS CONFERENCE OPENING CEREMONY, ON 27 SEPTEMBER 2006, 9.00AM AT SINGAPORE EXPO


Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

Good Morning

It is my pleasure to join you at the opening ceremony of the international World Roads Conference on “Sustainable Strategies and Infrastructure”. Let me first extend a warm welcome to all the conference delegates, especially our guests from overseas. Singapore is honoured to be your host and we hope that your stay here will be a fruitful and enjoyable one.

Over the next two days, we will have the opportunity to share and exchange views on how we can address the challenges our countries face in sustaining our transport system. I would like to thank our conference organizers who have made this possible: the Land Transport Authority and the Association of Consulting Engineers Singapore.

ROAD DEVELOPMENT IN SINGAPORE

Roads have always been an integral factor in the growth and development of all cities, and Singapore is no exception. Our oldest roads date back to colonial times, and were part of a comprehensive town plan by a visionary Englishman, Sir Stamford Raffles. One could well say that Singapore, from the very beginning, had adopted an integrated urban planning approach. Raffles and his planners learned from earlier efforts, integrated housing in the town centre, and also emphasized greenery, efficiency and sanitation. This integrated approach is a trait we still use today. Now, some 180 years on, Singapore has a comprehensive network over 3200 kilometers of roads and expressways.

Our current road network is the result of many years of forward planning and implementation based on sound economic principles. This ensures that our investments in road infrastructure support Singapore’s development and optimize resources.

Consistent with this approach, we have sought to integrate transport and land use planning. The Land Transport Authority works closely with our Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Housing and Development Board to ensure that our transport network is planned in conjunction with housing and other land-use developments, taking into account demographic changes, economic development and other relevant factors. Integration of land use and transport planning potentially reduces the need for travel and optimizes the road network. It can also make commuting more convenient, for example, through initiatives such as integrated MRT and bus exchanges, which put residential and commercial hubs within a short walk of commuters.

Road development, however, is only one part of responding to the challenges of developing an efficient transport system. Like other cities, Singapore has had to tackle head-on the effects of urban development, in particular congestion. We introduced measures to moderate the growth of the vehicle population, and were the first to directly control vehicle population growth with a quota system and to experiment with usage measures when we introduced an entry charge into our Central Business District some 30 years ago. We have since refined this approach to become our current Electronic Road Pricing System, expanded to cover all expressways and key arterial roads during peak travel times. We have also developed a reliable and affordable public transport system, as a major mode of transport. All these measures have worked together to relieve congestion, and more importantly, provide Singaporeans with a reliable and efficient transport system.

THE NEW LTA ACADEMY

Turning to our land transport policies and programs, they have attracted considerable international interest. Every year, the LTA hosts many foreign guests who come to exchange views on good practices. These visits work to build professional knowledge and develop ongoing professional links.

A related facet of the foreign interest in our land transport work occurs through LTA’s wholly-owned company, MSI Global Private Limited. Through MSI, LTA actively shares expertise in transport developments overseas. For example, MSI Global was recently appointed the Project Manager—assisting Shanghai Shentong—of the Shanghai Metro Line 10, a 42 kilometres long metro with 34 stations. This metro will have fully automated features similar to the North East Line in Singapore. MSI is also engaged in other projects, such as the Dubai Metro and the Bangkok Transit System.

Now, to enhance and emphasize learning and knowledge sharing, and to harness Singapore’s expertise and resources on land transport, LTA has established the LTA Academy. The Academy capitalizes on LTA’s in-house knowledge base and experience, and combines this with best practices and hands-on learning opportunities. With ongoing, committed training programs, the Academy envisions becoming a leading institution on land transport.

The Academy’s stated mission is twofold: firstly, to promote the sharing of Singapore’s experience and expertise on land transport; and secondly, to promote the research and exchange of the best practices in the global land transport community. In doing this, the Academy will contribute to Singapore’s co-operation with Asean and other countries. Within Singapore, the Academy will enhance the professional capacity of our industry and LTA staff, through promoting best practices and innovations in land transport. LTA Academy will focus on five key areas: land transport policy and planning; public transport management; vehicle licensing and standards; traffic and road management; and rail transit development and systems.

CLOSING REMARKS

To bring home the theme of our conference, “Sustainable Strategies and Infrastructure”, I would like to highlight that our challenges are not unique to Singapore’s experience. There is therefore opportunity to leverage on LTA’s expertise as well as to learn from the experiences of other countries.

It is now my pleasure to declare this conference open. I wish one and all fruitful discussions, warm company and an enjoyable stay in Singapore. Thank you.