SBS Transit in Partnership to Develop Singapore’s First Intelligent Bus Braking System
When the bus’ emergency brake is applied to avoid a collision or an accident, it is often a jolting experience. Unfortunately, this abrupt movement may cause passengers who are seated to be thrown forward while those who are standing to lose their balance – sometimes leading to injuries. To lessen the impact of this jolting movement, SBS Transit is exploring a ground-breaking, intelligent braking system designed to improve passenger safety for a pleasant travel experience.
In a Memorandum of Understanding signed last month with Chinese AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) leader, Streamax, and Singapore-based surveillance solutions provider, TNT Surveillance, SBS Transit is developing a Responsive and Adaptive Braking System (RABS) - set to become Singapore’s first for buses.
In conventional emergency braking systems, applying the brake often causes it to lock, leading to sharp, sudden jolts. RABS, in contrast, is designed to deliver a more controlled and gradual deceleration. This approach not only helps prevent collisions but also significantly reduces the likelihood of passengers being thrown off balance or injured.
Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Jeffrey Sim, said: “At SBS Transit, road safety is our top priority. We continually invest in technologies to elevate safety standards - not just for ourselves, but also across the public transport industry - in alignment with the recommendations of the Bus Safety Tripartite Taskforce. Through strategic collaborations, we continue to drive innovation, transforming the public transport experience and encouraging more people to choose it as a safe and reliable mode of travel."
RABS will use radar sensors and cameras to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings continuously. Acting as a co-pilot, it will detect hazards and respond within 40 milliseconds - more than 35 times faster than the average human reaction time - to help avert accidents with minimal disruption to passengers.
Importantly, RABS will be designed to handle the dynamic nature of traffic. Adaptive in design, it will constantly adjust its braking parameters based on how fast the bus is going, how crowded the roads are, and even weather or road conditions. If something unexpected happens - like a car swerving into the lane of the bus or a pedestrian stepping out suddenly - the system will help the Bus Captain keep a safe distance.
In situations where a collision is unavoidable, RABS will automatically respond by moderating the braking force to lessen the impact and help reduce the risk of injury and minimise damage to the vehicle.
Beyond its immediate safety benefits, RABS will also transmit real-time data - including live video feeds, precise vehicle locations, and incident details - directly to the Bus Operations Control Centre. This enhanced data flow will enable quicker response times and provide SBS Transit’s operations team with improved situational awareness during critical moments.
Scheduled for a pilot launch in the first half of 2026, RABS will further strengthen SBS Transit’s comprehensive suite of advanced safety technologies. It will work in tandem with existing systems such as the fatigue detection system - Golden Eye, Mobileye, and the 360 Surround View System - reinforcing our ongoing commitment to leveraging smart technologies to enhance safety for our Bus Captains and passengers alike.