Letter of Transmittal
Reginald Goh Hsiao Shane
Singapore Institute of Technology
10 Dover Drive
Singapore 138683
16 November 2017
Ms Christy Lee Inn Siew
Estates Department
Singapore Institute of Technology
10 Dover Drive
Singapore 138683
Dear Christy,
RE: Proposal for a Sustainable Entry System
We are Team CRAZ, a group of three undergraduates from Sustainable Infrastructure, Singapore Institute of Technology. This technical report is to address the problems experienced whilst entering SIT @Dover through the entry system alongside Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) during peak hours.
This report consists a description of the issues students and staff face while using the entry system, which includes the bottlenecking of human traffic during peak hours and the system being wheelchair unfriendly. The scope contains the advantages and countermeasures towards the potential drawbacks of a dual turnstile system and side gate as our solution and why it should be implemented.
We thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to review this technical report.
Sincerely,
Reginald Goh
on behalf of Team CRAZ
Personal Statement
Tan Chun Heng is an undergraduate from Sustainable Infrastructure (Land), Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). Chun Heng graduated from Nanyang Polytechnic with a diploma in Electronic, Computer and Communication Engineering. He interned at STELOP and dealt with thermal imaging products such as surveillance for defence purposes and understands the importance of an efficient security system.
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Ong Zi Rui is an undergraduate from Sustainable Infrastructure (Building Services), Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). Zi Rui graduated from Temasek Polytechnic with a diploma in Integrated Facilities Management. He interned at Singapore Changi Airport doing ground related work and believes that efficiency is of utmost importance in any work space environment.
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Reginald Goh Hsiao Shane is an undergraduate from Sustainable Infrastructure (Building Services), Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). Reginald graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic with a diploma in Electrical Engineering (Solar specialization). He interned at Singapore Technology Engineering (STE) and maintained and serviced security features in Marina Bay Financial Centre which comprises of security cameras, electromagnetic door locks and card readers. Thus, he recognizes the importance of a stable and maintained security system.
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Table of Contents
Page#
Letter of Transmittal..........................................................................................................................i
Personal statement............................................................................................................................ii
Executive summary……………………………………………………………………………………......iii
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1.0 Background……………………………………………………………………………………………...……1
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2.0 Problem Statement………………………………………………………………………………………...2
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3.0 Purpose Statement…………………………………………………………………………………………2
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4.0 Proposed Solution….………………………………………………………………………………………3
4.1 Ease traffic congestion and improve efficiency……………………………………….3
4.2 Sustainable Sources……………………………………………………………………………....3
4.3 Card reader access for side gate……………………………………………………………..3
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5.0 Alternative Solution……………………………………………………………………………………….4
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6.0 Benefits…………………………………………………………………………………………………………4
6.1 Eases traffic congestions and improves efficiency…………………………………..4
6.2 Sustainability………………………………………………………………………………………..4
6.3 Students with bulky items and wheelchair users…………………………………….5
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7.0 Evaluation……………………………………………………………………………….…………………….6
7.1 Student/Staff misusing the side gate……………………………………………………...6
7.2 Students unable to exit after operating hours…………………………………….......6
7.3 Mechanism Failure………………………….……………………………………………….……6
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8.0 Methods/Procedure……………………………………………………………………………………….7
8.1 Survey…………………………………………………………………………………………………..7
8.2 Email…………………………………………………..…………………………………………….….7
8.3 Online Research…………………………………………………………………………………..7
8.4 Designs on proposed solutions………………………………………………………….....7
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9.0 Concluding Statement…….……………………………………………………………………………..8
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10.0 References………….……………………………………………………………………….……………….9
Appendices:
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix E
Appendix F
Appendix G
Executive summary
This report addresses the turnstile entry system in SIT@ Dover alongside AYE bottlenecking human traffic during peak hours. Human traffic approaches in waves as people alight from their buses and enter the school compound. Concurrently, there might be people exiting the compound using the same entry system, consequently causing the exiting party to wait awkwardly for their turn. Furthermore, the turnstile is not wheelchair friendly, and people carrying bulky items are unable to access the single turnstile. Additionally, the turnstile locks after 11pm and is closed on Sundays and public holidays, which inconveniences students and teachers. The current entry system is inefficient and frustrates users daily.
Based on a simple survey assessing the level of frustration students feel, about 78% of people feel frustrated over the inefficiency of the single turnstile and a substantial 90% of people would like a change in the single turnstile (see Appendix C).
The solution will be a dual turning turnstile with an exit button inside the campus beside the turnstile. Additionally, a side gate with a card reader will be installed - dedicated toward wheelchair users and people carrying bulky objects.
1. Background
Currently in SIT@ Dover, the turnstile entry system alongside AYE periodically holds up human traffic which frustrates students and staff alike who are waiting for their turn to enter the compound. While entering the school during peak hours, people at the other side of the turnstile wait awkwardly for their turn to enter/ exit the school compound.
The entrance system is also not wheelchair friendly, and carrying bulky objects into the school compound through the single turnstile proves to be a real problem.
It is also common for students and staff to stay in school till late at night, during exam and non-exam periods alike. The turnstile is locked on Sundays and public holidays too. During non-exam periods, the turnstile locks at 11pm, which inconveniences students and staff who take buses alongside the entry system alongside AYE.
Based on a simple survey of 59 students at SIT (see Appendix C), a majority of students feel frustrated while using the single turnstile, and if given the option they would like a change in the current entry system.
While this might be a relatively petty problem at first glance, improving the entry system will have a positive impact towards the overall mood and psychology of students and staff. This leaves a good impression of the school, allowing the user to start and end his/ her day on a more positive note. When compared to other Universities and even Polytechnics, students and staff can access their campuses whenever they want. This reflects badly on SIT, a University Institute. Ultimately, students and staff should be able to enter and exit the campus efficiently and freely.
2. Problem statement
The single-revolving turnstile at the entrance alongside AYE to SIT @Dover should be convenient to students and staff, allowing them to enter the campus without queueing up. In addition, people carrying bulky objects and wheelchair users are unable to enter the single turnstile. This creates inconvenience and limits human traffic flow to a one-way bottleneck. The turnstile not being self-sustainable is another issue, as there is no need for it to tap into the main power grid due to its low power usage.
Implementing the new dual-turnstile design will improve user accessibility and alleviate the unnecessary waiting time.
3. Purpose statement
This proposal’s objective is to propose to the Estates Division of SIT @Dover to upgrade the turnstile entry system alongside AYE to a sustainable and efficient one. The improved entry system will ease human traffic flow during peak hours, be self-sustainable and wheelchair user friendly.
4. Proposed solution for a “Sustainable Entry System”
The proposed solution consists of a self-sustaining dual-turnstile and a side gate with a card reader (see Appendix E).
4.1 Dual turnstile to ease traffic congestion and improve efficiency
A dual turnstile will ease the traffic congestion which allows students and staff to exit and enter the school compound simultaneously. This saves manpower while maintaining security and reduces the overall frustration felt by current users. An exit button will be implemented at the side of the turnstile for students and staff who wish to leave the school compound after 11pm.
The use of alternative energy will minimize energy consumption. As the user uses the turnstile, gears in the mechanism will trigger a shaft rotation. Mechanical energy will then be converted into electrical energy by the generator and stored into a supercapacitor which makes the dual-turnstile self-sustainable. In the article, “World First Energy-Generated Revolving Door,’’ (Chapa,2008) reported that the first energy generated turnstile was implemented in Netherland and it generates around 4,600kwh of energy per year, which proves that a self-sustainable turnstile is feasible.
4.3 Card reader access for side gate
The side gate is designed primarily for wheelchair users and for those with bulky items (e.g. Personal Motorised Device (PMD), bicycles, school projects etc.) A card reader is installed beside the side gate, allowing entry for students and staff during Sundays and Public holidays. A signage indicating the purpose of the side gate prompts students and staff from misusing it. Additionally, the already installed closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera serves as an additional deterrence toward students and staff from misusing the side gate. An exit button will be installed at the exiting side of the gate.
5. Alternative Solution for “Sustainable Entry System”
The alternative solution will be hiring a security guard to safeguard the gate along AYE. It will be a much safer and secure alternative as there is physical presence, instead of depending on technology which can potentially malfunction. However, it is unnecessary to hire a security guard as human traffic alongside AYE is periodical and the dual turnstile will do the same job, saving manpower.
6. Benefits of a “Sustainable Entry System”
The improved entry system will improve the efficiency of traffic flow and thus be convinient for users, save manpower, be independent from the power grid and be wheelchair friendly.
6.1 Eases traffic congestions and improves efficiency
6.2 Sustainability
The dual turnstile will decrease energy consumption through the implementation of a kinetically powered generator installed in the turnstile. The stored power in the supercapacitor eliminates the need of tapping into the power grid to lock the turnstile after operating hours, which makes it almost entirely independent from the power grid. The turnstile will only tap into the power grid if the supercapacitor or mechanism malfunctions.
6.3 Students with bulky items and wheelchair users
The side gate is designed for people with bulky items and wheelchair users. Card readers are installed outside the gate, allowing access for staff and students without the need to call for assistance. This implementation eases the inefficiency and complexity of the situation. During Sundays and Public holidays, students and staff can enter through the side gate. Most importantly, this eliminates waiting time and improves the user’s convenience.
Evaluation was done to ensure that the respondents’ and stakeholders’ concerns were identified to provide viable solutions to minimize challenges through a simple survey (see Appendix C). It is essential to design an effective system based on the general response of the survey.
7.1 Student/Staff misusing the side gate
A signage will be displayed to deter users from intentionally using it without a legitimate reason. The article (Tan, 2016) stated that signages are a good form of deterrence. Since a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) camera is already installed, it can also serve as additional deterrence.
7.2 Exiting after turnstile’s operating hours
Students in SIT often stay in school after 11pm. Students can only exit through the main gate after the turnstile’s operating hours which inconveniences those wanting to exit through the back gate. According to the team's survey (see Appendix C), 90% of the respondents would like to be able to exit alongside AYE after campus operating hours. To address this concern, an exit button will be installed allowing students to unlock the door and exit. The placement of the button will be far away from the reach of outsiders to prevent unauthorised entry.
7.3 Mechanism Failure
If a mechanism failure were to happen, the dual turnstile will tap into the power gird to lock and unlock the turnstile.
8. Methods/Procedure
Our research focuses on the simultaneous entry and exit of human traffic and a self-sustaining locking entry system to get a better understanding of an efficient entry system. Research is done through data collection, data analysis and research of the turnstile’s mechanism.
8.1 Survey
Survey questions were targeted toward SIT students on the efficiency of the turnstile. According to the data, (see Appendix C) 80% of respondents felt frustrated while using the turnstile. 80% of respondents felt that the system is inefficient and if given the choice, 93% of the respondents would like a change in the current entry system.
8.2 Email
The exchange of emails with the Estate’s Department was to inquire about the turnstile’s operating days and hours(see Appendix F).
8.3 Online Research
Research was done online to explore various types of turnstiles available in the market. Methods to harvest energy through kinetic energy and gear designs for maximum output was also considered (see Appendix D).
8.4 Designs on proposed solutions
To provide a clear explanation of our proposed solutions. Design ideas were discussed and drawn (see Appendix E).
9. Concluding statement
Team CRAZ strongly believes that the development of the sustainable entry system will effectively ease students’ and staffs’ frustration toward the current entry system alongside AYE at SIT@ Dover and provide convenience to them. The first step in starting the day right is quite literally the first step into the campus. By improving the efficiency and reliability of the entry system, it boosts the users’ mood. Students and Staff alike that work/ study till late at night will be able to do it peacefully without the burdensome thought of detouring. As undergraduates of Sustainable Infrastructure, it is only natural for us to take sustainability into consideration and design it to be self-sustainable.
A self-sustainable turnstile will not only be green but also reflect a better image of ourselves when compared to other educational institutes.
To conclude, the survey respondents expressed a consensus towards a change in the current single-turnstile system (see Appendix C), motivating us to design an improved version of the current entry system. The sustainable entry system will benefit everyone - staff, students, the public and SIT.
10. References
Appendix A
Personnel, Agencies or Organizations involved
· SIT Building Management Department
· SIT Finance Department
Shortlisted Supplier
· Frontier Security Pte Ltd (Supplier)
Frontier Security Pte Ltd has worked on countless projects and their staff has more than five years of experience within the field of work. Collaborated with big companies such as Public Utilities Board (PUB) and SAFRA.
· APM GLOBAL (Supplier)
APM Global is a local manufacturer established since 2013. With constant investment in research and development, the company strive to achieve reliable and high-quality product.
· Huntaway Security (Supplier)
Huntaway Security provides wide range of products and maintenance contract solutions. They also provide a two-year on-site warranty for most of their services. Huntaway Security have collaborated with big companies like AIA, SAFRA, NTU and Certis Cicso.
Appendix B
Survey Questionnaire
1. During peak hours, when a crowd is accessing the turnstile from one side while you are at the other side waiting, do you feel frustrated?
o Very frustrated
o Frustrated
o Slightly frustrated
o Neutral
2. During peak hours, is waiting for your turn to pass through the turnstile frustrating?
o Very frustrated
o Frustrated
o Slightly frustrated
o Neutral
3. How would you rate the efficiency of the turnstile?
o Very frustrated
o Frustrated
o Slightly frustrated
o Neutral
4. Given the option, would you like a change in the back-entrance system alongside AYE at SIT@Dover?
o Yes
o No Given the option, would you like to have exit only option alongside AYE at SIT@Dover after school operating hours? Given the option, would you like to have exit only option alongside AYE at SIT@Dover after school operating hours?
5. Given the option, would you like to have exit only option alongside AYE at SIT@Dover after school operating hours?
o Yes
o No
Appendix C
Survey questionnaire results
Appendix D
Information consisting methods of harvesting kinetic energy.
Methods to harvest kinetic energy
In the article “Kinetic energy harvesting: Everyday human activity could power the internet if thing,” (Anthony,2013) stated that human actions generate a small volume of kinetic energy within a span from 1 microwatt to 3,000 microwatts. From the article, we can conclude that energy can be harvested through repetitive motions. (Chapa, 2008) reported that the world’s first renewable energy revolving door can generate 4,600kwh of energy per year.
From our research, a supercapacitor will be required to store energy.
Advantages:
· Life span of 10-20 years
· Delivers high currents and density
Disadvantages:
· Unable to provide current to product with voltage higher than 2.7V
To harvest more energy, we implemented the rotation of gear to maximise the output. Gear ratio affects the output based on the input. The number of teeth and diameter of gears affects the rotation. To increase the output, we increase the size of the driver gear and decrease the driven gear. Since the turnstile is bi-direction, we can include an idler gear in the middle. (See Figure 1)
Figure 1
The supercapacitor will be installed on the idler gear, generating electricity when the gear starts to turn. Together with the main source, the supercapacitor will also be connected to the lock.
Appendix E
Appendix F
Appendix G
Gantt chart and task allocation
Name
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Admin Number
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Roles
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Reginald Goh Hsiao Shane
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1700168
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Email co-ordinator, Compiler, Letter of transmittal to Purpose statement
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Ong Zi Rui
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1700110
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Research, formatting, Benefits to Appendix
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Tan Chun Heng
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1700207
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Design of sustainable entry system, time keeper, Proposed solution
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Gantt Chart
*Dates are in MM/DD/YY
