Sunday, March 22, 2020

Observation Session 01



Over 5 consecutive Saturdays, the group came together, a volunteering working group to re-think the last Mile transportation, resulting in a possible solution to go on trial and studied. The working session was lead by Prof Tay Kheng Soon together with the BB Environmental Task Force members and thanks Tysentech for sponsoring the flexible bollards and the installation we now have a trial on site.
We conducted the first observation session. Here are some videos of the study. Nothing beats spending time observing to understand the situation.

Here to play the full list of video https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdc0gpCYq8MscQP1_2uP2R5eYkSHvT8T2

Some observations:

  1. Users had taken notice of the flexible bollards.
  2. They seem to have questions when passing by them.
  3. They find the toys intriguing
  4. Bicycles do slow down before finding a way to negotiate the turning
  5. Sunday morning seems to have less user in the early morning
  6. Some people use the edge of the path, walking over the drain
  7. Some users had used an alternative route as they were not sure if they should what's happening to the path, perhaps daunted by the flexible bollards.
  8. The fixing of the toy should be more secure.
  9. Many had squeezed or touch the toy.
  10. Perhaps we need to break down the age of the users and the type of users for the feedback form
  11. We do have occasional users who have a strong opinion of rejecting the idea of the flexible bollards. They think it is a waste of time and money.
  12. Site observation does provide some useful questions and considerations. It aids in composing the feedback questions.



Friday, March 13, 2020

2nd Working Session

Venue: Bukit Batok Community Club’s Conference Room
Date and time: 29th Feb 2020, 10am
Present Prof Tay, Meng Foo, Sean Ow, Wei Liang, ShengYiYu, Chee Peng. Aided by Lim Siong

The meeting started with the introduction of Trakomatic and Tysentech to the working committee. The discussion was very fruitful as we achieved a better understanding of both companies’ products. Here we record a few pertinent points as follows:
Tysentech
1. Flexible Bollards are made of material that has a certain memory and could return to their position without causing excessive hurt to the offender.
2. Their material is durable and had been through stringent tests. Their products are commonly used in Korea. Recently they had just completed installation in one of the terminal in Changi Airport.
3. The company is most willing to help in carrying out trial of the bollard to mitigate the intersections of pedestrians, PMDs, wheelchairs (Motorized and manual), and bicycles.
4. Prof Tay suggested that the bollards should look friendly and adorable. Perhaps art pieces can be created using the bollards.
Trakomatic
1. Facial tracking and collecting data are their core competencies
2. They had install their products in the local malls such as Tampines Hub (400 cam) and Funan Mall (600 cam).
3. They have the local images analysed and converted to numerical data and stored in the cloud for retrievers and further analysis of the numerical data. No video footage is stored permanently remotely. Trakomatic will install their hardware and application locally, which would process the video footages into numerical data then sent them to the cloud for storage and retrieval.
4. Programming may take some times, commonly 3-6 months to customised the application. 
5. They suggested to invite Govtech into participating with the studies. We welcome their participation.
6. They showed their mobile camera units for some of their projects. 
7. Cost of implementation estimated for tracking could cost SGD$200,000.
8. Due to lighting condition it may affects results.
We thanked their presentations. Three bollards were used to test out the manual wheelchair and how it could manoeuvre the bollards. Out next course of action would be:
1. Present the idea to MP Mr Murali for the concurrence of a trial.
2. Carried out an initial investigation at a selected site with various PMDs, bicycles, and wheelchair.
3. Initial trial with the bollards to measure their effectiveness. 
4. Present the findings.
We took a site visit and see where are the suitable possibilities.
llards are made of material that has a certain memory and could return to their position without causing excessive hurt to the offender.
2. Their material is durable and had been through stringent tests. Their products are commonly used in Korea. Recently they had just completed installation in one of the terminal in Changi Airport.
3. The company is most willing to help in carrying out trial of the bollard to mitigate the intersections of pedestrians, PMDs, wheelchairs (Motorized and manual), and bicycles.
4. Prof Tay suggested that the bollards should look friendly and adorable. Perhaps art pieces can be created using the bollards.
Trakomatic
1. Facial tracking and collecting data are their core competencies
2. They had install their products in the local malls such as Tampines Hub (400 cam) and Funan Mall (600 cam).
3. They have the local images analysed and converted to numerical data and stored in the cloud for retrievers and further analysis of the numerical data. No video footage is stored permanently remotely. Trakomatic will install their hardware and application locally, which would process the video footages into numerical data then sent them to the cloud for storage and retrieval.
4. Programming may take some times, commonly 3-6 months to customised the application. 
5. They suggested to invite Govtech into participating with the studies. We welcome their participation.
6. They showed their mobile camera units for some of their projects. 
7. Cost of implementation estimated for tracking could cost SGD$200,000.
8. Due to lighting condition it may affects results.
We thanked their presentations. Three bollards were used to test out the manual wheelchair and how it could manoeuvre the bollards. Out next course of action would be:
1. Present the idea to MP Mr Murali for the concurrence of a trial.
2. Carried out an initial investigation at a selected site with various PMDs, bicycles, and wheelchair.
3. Initial trial with the bollards to measure their effectiveness. 
4. Present the findings.
We took a site visit and see where are the suitable possibilities.

3rd Working Session

Venue: Bukit Batok Community Club’s Conference Room
Date and time: 7th Mar 2020, 10am. Meeting Mr Murali at 1130am
Present Prof Tay, Meng Foo, Sean Ow, Wei Liang, ShengYiYu, Wee Teck. Aided by Lim Siong


With the Slide prepared by Sean, the 3d SketchUp models of four different locations prepared by Shenyiyu and Syak, Prof Tay presented the idea of the trial to Mr Mural and provide a brief introduction of the products and services of Trakomatic and Tysentech with the possibility of involving Govtech as suggested by Andre of Trakomatic. Mr Murali was keen on the trial and we proceeded to look for a place to conduct the initial investigation. Wee Teck suggested the path that is under the care of Town Council would be the best place to start and mounting of the camera could be easier too. 
We selected the area just beside the cafeteria of the Community Centre. Next week we will plan for an initial investigate and would invite Tysentech and Trakomatic for discussion and site visit. Shengyiyu would also help prepare a 3d SketchUp model for the required study. Wei Liang will document the investigation in Video during the initial investigation. We would also require the help of Lim Siong to source for the PMD, bicycles and wheelchair. 
We do notice that the working committee members are predominantly male and would be good to have alternative view from the female gender. 

Next working session is set on next Saturday 14th Mar 2020, 10am, Bukit Batok CC conference room before proceeding to the site.

Thursday, February 27, 2020

The programme for 2nd working session

(Venue: Conference room #03-09, Bukit Batok Community Club. Date: Sat 29th Feb, 2020 Time : starting at 10am)

Last week we discussed flexible bollards and also carrying out trials to monitor results. This coming session we invite the Tysentech to bring us through their flexible bollards solutions and Trakomatic, an AI monitoring system that could assist in monitoring results. 

1. Introduction of new working members,Tysentech and Trakomatic
2. Presentation by David Lee and Soe Thandar,  Tysentech – Flexible Bollard, and other solutions.
3. Presentation by Andre, Trakomatic
4. Break up for the working session
5.    Other matters



      Due to the amount of technical work and design work we had crowd-sourced more volunteers and would like to introduce them here. 

New Working Member:

Ng Wei Liang
Presently serving National Service
Sean Ow Jou Chern
Presently serving National Service
Zhu Shengyiyu
Presently serving National Service




Saturday, February 22, 2020

Working Session 1 - 2020-02-22


We had a walk around, discussed and pick some areas to test out some ideas.
We concluded that we will follow up with the following and discuss in the next working session to be lead by Prof Tay Kheng Soon. Venue: Conference room #03-09, Bukit Batok Community Club. Date: Sat 29th Feb, 2020 Time : starting at 10am
  1. Look into flexible bollards selection: Flexible, One meter high, Lights or luminous 
  2. Check on the handicapped wheelchair: to determine the with of common wheel chair.
  3. Selected 4 initial points to take a look at possible solutions
  4. Location 01 : Merging lane https://www.google.com/maps/@1.349706,103.7478651,3a,75y,238.18h,78.74t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSU7Rt7IeqeTzayhleSV6MA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 
  5. Location 02 : Traffice junction : https://www.google.com/maps/@1.3483255,103.7486801,3a,75y,302.21h,85.4t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1spYBEvVNgfSNWgfWfyxo6bA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
  6. Location 03: Trees and lamp post : https://www.google.com/maps/@1.3482624,103.7486333,3a,75y,255.36h,81.03t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sw4m9-rshIyiZyCs5a9c9-Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 
  7. Location 04: Pedestrian and PMD shared lane https://www.google.com/maps/@1.3493025,103.7482659,3a,75y,110.75h,87.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sKQGdZE_DOBHZEigwT6p88g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192




Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Re-thinking of PMD and last mile transportation

A volunteering working group to re-think the last Mile transportation. The working session will be lead by Prof Tay Kheng Soon. Venue: Conference room #03-09, Bukit Batok Community Club. Date: Sat 22nd 2020. Time: 10am. Contact point Choo Meng Foo: 98150357.

Participants:
  1. Bring your laptops, mouse, and application
  2. Journal, writing papers and pens
  3. Be prepared to draw
  4. Extension cord if you have

For a start, we will do a pilot for the Bukit Batok Central road to achieve the following:
  1. Build kits of parts for resolving PMD, vehicular and pedestrian conflict.
  2. Determine the different scenarios.
  3. Contribute and build participatory spirit as a knowledge citizen towards a smart nation 
Tools use are as follows,
  1. GIS maps digital and printed medium provided by LTA
  2. QGIS application
  3. Google Maps.
  4. CAD program
  5. Sketchup
Google Map link:
  1. Bukit Batok Central https://goo.gl/maps/3pk9t9Zcseg1YHrY6 
  2. Point 1 https://goo.gl/maps/47baNeW1kaDDTTzo7 
  3. Point 2 https://goo.gl/maps/kqH3J4CufRERfAeN8
  4. Point 3 https://goo.gl/maps/t5ycYDJtk4ieDWc38
  5. Point 4 https://goo.gl/maps/NKvLJyi73jT6rMwH6 
  6. Point 5 https://goo.gl/maps/MAuk3tf5fecBABik9
  7. Point 6 https://goo.gl/maps/XkDakeuHQdkkEYTn8
  8. Point 7 https://goo.gl/maps/qqMR5ViWGJGqozgV9



PMD (Personal Mobility Device) has been a huge topic recently. As the world focus on delivering last-mile transportation especially when the population is aging.




About Bukit Batok Constituent :
  1. Manifesto : https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/murali-unveils-manifesto-bukit-batok-election
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bukit_Batok
  3. Use of the OneMap to get the boundary of roads and also planning and constituents boundary. https://www.onemap.sg/main/v2/mapstyles 

Local information on PMD:
  1. Rules of Conduct as published by LTA (Land Transport Authority)   https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltagov/en/getting_around/active_mobility/rules_and_public_education/rules_and_code_of_conduct.html 
  2. The news report from CNA (Channel News Asia) https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/e-scooter-ban-footpaths-extend-motorised-pmd-active-mobility-mot-12237050
Here are some informative links:

Thursday, August 11, 2016

First inaugural meeting of the task force


"This is a community project to create a community food street that serves to enhance singapore's hawker heritage food at affordable prices and also it is a place for the old and the young. A place for small craft business. Kitchen gardens. Cooking schools etc ..." Tay Kheng Soon

The members of the task force

The meeting was held to see how we could address the needs of the residents through the improvement of the physical environment of Bukit Batok. Prof Tay presented his idea. 

"Food plus small businesses plus meeting places plus community bank plus food fair plus study rooms plus club houses fir elderly plus kitchen gardens plus art club plus art walls plus cobblers, barbers, tailors etc." Tay Kheng Soon
The whole 330m stretch conceived to address the change in the global economy, aging population, youth aspiration, and the local rental hike.

"Small shops and cleaning facilities dotted about" Tay Kheng Soon

"All the trees can be kept. The one storey cheap construction snuggled in between" Tay Kheng Soon

This is the site