Held on 13 July, the IES-LTA Seminar on Lean Construction brings together industry professionals to gain exposure to the practical application of lean principles in delivering station rejuvenation works more efficiently, safely, and with minimal disruption to commuters.
As Singapore’s rail network matures, station rejuvenation is essential to meet growing ridership and evolving commuter needs. However, upgrading live stations is challenging due to limited engineering hours, constrained workspaces, and stringent safety requirements.
This is where Lean Construction makes a real difference. By reducing unnecessary activities, removing bottlenecks, improving workflow reliability, and focusing efforts on value-adding work, Lean Construction helps project teams make the most of limited working hours. In short, it is about working smarter so that every engineering hour contributes meaningfully to project progress.
A Japanese Perspective on Digital Transformation
One of the key highlights of the seminar was the presentation by Ms Aki Motomura of Obayashi Corporation on “Digital Transformation in Live Railway Projects: Safer, Smarter, Faster Construction.”
Ms Motomura has shared how digital technologies are enhancing productivity, safety, and delivery certainty in complex live railway environments. Her presentation featured insights with Land Transport Authority (LTA)‘s study visit with Obayashi, showcasing initiatives such as “Challenges in Live Railway Construction and IT Adoption,” “LiDAR-Enabled Track Safety Checks,” and “Virtual Checks on Girder Alignment.”
Through these case studies, Ms Motomura demonstrated how digital tools can improve project visibility, strengthen planning, enhance safety management, and support more informed decision-making. Her message was clear: digital transformation is not simply about adopting innovative technology, but about fundamentally improving the way projects are planned, coordinated, and delivered.
Takeaway
The seminar highlighted the importance of balancing station upgrades with uninterrupted rail operations. Successful station rejuvenation requires robust planning, collaborative delivery, innovative construction methods, and disciplined execution.
By integrating Lean Construction with digital innovation, the industry can enhance safety, improve productivity, shorten delivery timelines, and minimise disruption to commuters while delivering infrastructure upgrades with greater certainty.
