Travel to London, Europe or Asia, Especially Singapore, to see the smart transport and the smart city of the future

London has driverless trains on the light railway which takes you to the exhibition centre for the World Travel Market held every November.


Elizabeth Line
 London is building the Elizabeth line.

My visit to the World Travel Market in 2017.

World Travel Market
Travel industry people will be there, and you will read reports about the World Travel Market on the local London newspapers and online. Of course, at the world travel market, cities worldwide will be promoting their attractions. In one section of the exhibition are the airlines with their newest luxuries in first class and business as well as economy.

Some cities make a feature of what is old, cobblestones and old trams.

Planes
To travel overseas most people will take planes.I can remember the noise of earlier generation of .planes. Yes, a great improvement. Also eyeshades. You can take your own - even make your own, neck pillows. Seats have ear pieces which bend forward to support your head as well as cutting out distracting sights and sounds.

Choosing Seats
Choosing plane seats online in advance is a great advantage. I am waiting for them to assign me the best seat according to availability at the time of booking, or even to suggest seats, such as by the window, on the aisle, near the exit, away fro babies, according to my preferences. One day I hope they will re-assign me a seat if a large person or baby moves alongside. Even a child-free section of plane.

One day, I hope, you will be able to specify that you wish to recline, (sleep through the entire flight) or stay upright (doing work or watching movies). They could then group or reassign seats.

I have various strategies. I used to choose window seats. Why - firstly to get the view during takeoff and landing and even take photos. During the flight you can lean against the wall. At least one side nobody is invading your space.

Now I opt for aisles to get a long vision to beat claustrophobia. I don't look down at the ground outside so much, which overcomes fear of heights. I am able to attract the attention of a passing member of staff to grab a glass of water. I can get out fast to go to the toilet afterwards when the water descends my internal pipe.
You can take the MRT train from under the airport into the city.

New Trains in China Including Hong Kong
 Both Hong Kong and Shanghai are known for their train systems to the airport.

European trains
I think in Europe the most advanced system is in Switzerland where the luggage trolleys are designed to go up steps and escalators.

When I was in Switzerland they had live music on one of the stations, a ukelele band.
When you board the train, you will probably see a rack where you can hang your jacket and coat, at least in first class. Economy seems to be first class.

Notice the racks on trains where you can hang your summer jacket or winter coat.

Let's fly from Europe to Asia and see what we can find.

Changi

Singapore's Award Winning Airport
On arrival Singapore's Changi airport, award winning, the current terminals are a delight. Far less queuing than at Heathrow.

Taxi From Airport

As you drive into the city you can see the cranes building the new terminals. Look at the terminal plans and artists' impressions online. A giant waterfall, would you believe, like the one you can visit at the major attraction of the city, the Gardens By The Bay.

You can take the MRT train from under the airport into the city.

New Trains in China Including Hong Kong
 Both Hong Kong and Shanghai are known for their train systems to the airport.

Singapore Stations

Singapore Trains
If you go to Singapore you will see driverless trains on both its light railway and the regular MRT (mass transit train) system and it plans to be a smart city.

Next post, the smart city.

How do you supervise children when travelling?

Problem
Children want attention. They want to move about. They want to make a noise. They want to touch and move objects. They want to enter places which might be unsafe.
The same applies to toddlers, teenagers, and adults. What sort of trouble can be caused?
1 Toddlers screaming in supermarkets.
2 Childen running around No commenting on this case. However, some thoughts came into my mind.

Basic rule one should be taught to children and adults in every home and school:
Rule 1
Do you not touch other people's property without permission.
Rule 2
(From Princess Diana's mother)
Leave a room as you found it.
Rule 3:
Do not enter somebody else's property without their permission.
Rule 4
 Do not touch unless you are buying.
If every child and adult obeyed these simple rules: advantages:
Rule 5
Use objects for the purpose for which they were intended. Do not use them for other purposes unless you have done a safety check. Remember not all surfaces can support the weight of you standing or sitting.
Rule 6:
Ask yourself, would responsible teachers, parents, owners of a property do this.
Rule 7:
Look and think before you move.
Rule 8:
Look at everybody who is around you. Look at everything around you. Consider how your action could affect them.

Advantages:
1 No theft.
 2 No distress to parents and grandparents when other children 'hide' all or part of valuable' birthday presents.
3 No mess.
4 Shopkeepers would not have to watch that children or adults are not taking something.
5 Your fingerprints are not on stolen items.
6 Other people do not have to supervise your unaccompanied children.
7 Guests and customers would always be welcome.
8 This would save children from falling through the roof of derelict buildings or factory buildings.
9 Every shopping mall should have a free play area to distract children from shops.


Parents should specify what children can and cannot do:
1 No screaming nor shouting in public places. No kicking the seat in front on a plane. Minimize the amount of banging anybody else's chair back, headrest, pocket in the back of an airplane seat. Look back before you recline and apologise in advance.
2 Be polite.
3 If somebody is annoyed, apologise.
4 Take a toy or activity which keeps people occupied.
5 Make friends of people before you touch their property or ask for help.

Let me give you some examples of disaster and successes.

DISASTERS
1 My son at school is given a computer as a birthday present. Children at school take part of it so he can not use it. When His granny ask how he is getting on with it, he says he cant use it. She is very upset. Mother wants to complain to the school. Child says not to do so because that will make him unpopular.

For years I have wished I had written to the school. What effect has this long term?

Parents and grandparents were very stressed. I was stressed meeting staff. I was not listening to them. I was always wanting to discuss this matter but never had the courage to do so.

I didn't and still don't trust any of my child's school friends.

Whenever I get an appeal to donate money to the school I tear it up and throw it in the bin.

SUCCESS
An air hostess stops and kneels down beside a fretful child. The child stops writhing and moaning and is happily distracted by a new person giving attention.
Children on a plane are absorbed in the films and drawings in colouring boxes and little quizzes and games.

Most airports and cities have take away children's meals including a toy. Restaurants have play mats if you ask.

I worry about whether it will annoy another person if I put my property on the middle seat. I chat to the other person and ask the other person if they want to share the middle seat and they tell me, 'No, you can use it all. Go ahead. I don't need it. My stuff's in the overhead locker. I'm just going to watch a film and go to sleep.' So I have goodwill and need not worry.

A friend who visits me for major events such as parties always organises a clear-up group when only half a dozen of us are left, both at his own home and when visiting mine. He has done this since he was a student. I have remained friends for life. It is just one example of how he instantly shows he is a responsible person, trustworthy, no trouble. always helpful. and thinks of others.

An active child can be taken to a park or a run before going somewhere they need to sit or stand quietly.

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.