TRAFFIC MARSHALLS will be deployed to keep the underground Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway, which opens to traffic on Friday, free-flowing.
Mounting zippy Piaggio scooters or behind the wheel of Subaru Imprezas, these auxiliary police officers will eventually be deployed on all expressways here, Transport Minister Raymond Lim announced on Thursday.
Singapore has nine expressways measuring a total 150km. Each week, there are about 250 incidents on these heavy-load roads, each with a capacity for up to 6,000 vehicles an hour.
The Land Transport Authority currently clears 57 per cent of incidents within 12 minutes of arriving at the scne. Minister Lim said the LTA 'will strive' to raise this to 75 per cent.
Empowered to perform traffic control duties as well as preserve evidence at accident scenes, the Traffic Marshalls will complement existing expressway management systems, namely the Expressway Monitoring and Advisory System (EMAS) and towing services.
There will be 14 officers on scooters and three in cars. Each will be equipped tools like camera, first aid box, fire extinguisher, traffic cones and beacons, chemical protection mask, whistle and industrial gloves.
Linked to Certis Cisco's satellite-tracking system, these officers will be deployed once expressway cameras spot an incident. They are expected to arrive at the scene within 15 minutes.
The deployment will involve a fleet of 28 motorcycles, three cars and 61 officers and will cost $2.5 million a year to operate.
