Chula Smart Mobility

Policy and Operation

Chulalongkorn University promotes smart mobility on its campus. The Samyan Smart City project run by Property Management of Chulalongkorn University (PMCU) features “7 Smart” innovations: Smart Environment, Smart Mobility, Smart Living, Smart Energy, Smart Economy, Smart People and Smart Governance.

These smart mobile facilities assist university staff, faculty members and students in moving around the 1,500-rai campus in a sustainable and responsible way. These environmentally friendly showcases are a creative model that could be adopted in a wider urban community.

The university aims to be a model smart city; it has a vision to be an innovation centre that can benefit the wider community and society. Some campus premises and facilities are promoted as innovative, commercially viable and sustainable ways to improve the quality of life for the general public. Five mobility innovations are now in service.

1. CU Pop Bus

This electric bus service originated as a follow-up to the Green University Policy project. It serves faculty members, lecturers, students and members of the public, helping them move around the campus cleanly. The five bus lines, which connect to mass-transit stops, have cut down the large number of cars coming into the campus and significantly reduced air pollution as a result. The service is available from Monday to Saturday, from 6:30am to 9:30pm. (On Saturdays, only lines 1 and 2 are available.) [ https://www.chula.ac.th/about/green-university/cu-shuttle-bus/ ]

A mobile application, ViaBus – Transit Tracking & Navigation, available for both Android and iOS smartphones, helps users locate buses in real-time. A total of 1.7 million commuters are now using it. [ https://www.thaipost.net/main/detail/102871 ]

2. EV car sharing: Haupcar

Chulalongkorn University in partnership with Haupcar, Thailand’s first car-sharing startup company, offers a car-sharing service to other areas outside the campus. Users can make a reservation only 30 minutes ahead and pay via smartphone. Currently, 10 EV cars are available for rental at various locations around the campus. More EVs will join the fleet in the future and air pollution emissions will be further minimized. Car rental can also alleviate the problem of inadequate parking space and reduce the number of cars using parking facilities.

3. EV tuk-tuk sharing: MuvMi

To fill the missing link between mass transit and people in alleys and buses that do not reach people’s doorsteps, MuvMi helps connect commuters. Users can call an EV tuk-tuk on demand using the MuvMi mobile app. Sharing the electric shuttle with other commuters can save people’s travelling expenses as well. The 100% electric MuvMi has passed a collision assessment test conducted by the National Metal and Materials Technology Centre (MTEC). It is safe for riders and clean for the environment.

4. Bike sharing: Anywheel

Chulalongkorn University and Anywheel offer a bike-sharing service to minimize the number of cars inside the campus. With Internet of Things (IoT) technology, remote control innovation and smartphones, the service is accessible at over 40 locations around the campus, with 350 bikes available. Anywheel Thailand plans to provide more bikes in wider areas.

5. E-scooter sharing: Beam

To move around easily and effortlessly, e-scooters can be a fun alternative. The Beam mobile application allows users to access e-scooters provided in various locations throughout the campus.

he above examples show how committed Chulalongkorn University is to providing 5 means of mobility without air pollution emissions. Furthermore, covered walkways and skywalks set up in the campus make getting around on foot more enjoyable even in unfavourable weather conditions. As well, the skywalk connecting the campus to MBK shopping mall can take pedestrians to the BTS skytrain station at National Stadium.