A/Introducing the Electronic Road Pricing(ERP).
The Electronic Road Pricing (ERP)(Malay: Sistem Kadar Jalan Elektronik; Chinese:电子道路收费系统) scheme is an electronic toll collection scheme adopted in Singapore to manage traffic by road pricing.This system is known as an electronic system of road pricing based on a pay-as-you-use principle. It is designed to be a fair system as motorists are charged when they use the road during peak hours. .The ERP was implemented by the Land Transport Authority in September 1998 to replace the Singapore Area Licensing Scheme after successfully stress-testing the system with vehicles running at high speed. Singapore was the first city in the world to implement an electronic road toll collection system for purposes of congestion pricing.
B/How does this system works ?
The scheme consists of ERP gantries located at all roads linking into Singapore's central business district - areas within the Central Area such as the Downtown Core. They are also located along the expressways and arterial roads with heavy traffic to discourage usage during peak hours. The gantry system is actually a system of sensors on 2 gantries, one in front of the other. Cameras are also attached to the gantries to capture the rear license plate numbers of vehicles. Currently, there are 80 ERP gantries in Singapore. New gantries are implemented where congestion is severe, like expressways and other roads.
A device known as an In-vehicle Unit (IU) is affixed on the lower right corner of the front windscreen within sight of the driver, in which a stored-value card, the CashCard, is inserted for payment of the road usage charges. The second generation IU accepts Contactless NETS CashCard and EZ-Link. The cost of an IU is S$150. It is mandatory for all Singapore-registered vehicles to be fitted with an IU if they wish to use the priced roads.
When a vehicle equipped with an IU passes under an ERP gantry, a road usage charge is deducted from the CashCard in the IU. Sensors installed on the gantries communicate with the IU via a dedicated short-range communication system, and the deducted amount is displayed to the driver on an LCD screen of the IU.
C/ The impact of the ERP system to Singapore traffic flow
The ERP system, although understandably unpopular among most road users, has helped to tweak road usage patterns since its implementation. The LTA(Land Transport Authority) reported that road traffic decreased by nearly 25,000 vehicles during peak hours, with average road speeds increasing by about 20%. Within the restricted zone itself, traffic has gone down by about 13% during ERP operational hours, with vehicle numbers dropping from 270,000 to 235,000. It has been observed that car-pooling has increased, while the hours of peak vehicular traffic has also gradually eased and spread into off-peak hours, suggesting a more productive use of road space. In addition, it has been noted that average road speeds for expressways and major roads remained the same, despite rising traffic volumes over the years.
D/ The aims of using ERP system
The pay-as-you-use principle of ERP makes motorists more aware of the true cost of driving. This way, road usage can be optimised. -Charges are levied on a per-pass basis and rates are set based on traffic conditions at the pricing points.
For example:A motorist is encouraged to decide whether to drive, when to drive and where to drive.He may choose a different route, mode of transport, time of travel, or not travel at all. -Those who choose to pay and stay on the road will enjoy a smoother ride.
E/The benefits of ERP system
1)FAIR
Charges are based on usage so those who contribute more to the congestion pay more. Those who use the roads less frequently or who travel during non-ERP hours will pay less or not need to pay at all
2)CONVENIENT
Motorists need not purchase daily/monthly licences.
3)RELIABLE
As a fully automated system, there is no risk of human error as human enforcement is not required.
F/ ERP working hours and rates
Working hours:
1. The operating hours of all ERP gantries end at 1pm on the eve of New Year, Lunar New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali and Christmas. The ERP charges are not applicable on Sundays and all public holidays.
2. The time period (0730-0800) means the corresponding ERP rate applies from and including 7.30am and applies until but excluding 8.00am. The same definition applies to other time periods.
Rates : Depends on type of vehicles
For example : Passenger Cars/Light Goods Vehicles/Taxis: S$2.00
Motorcycles:S$0.25-S$1.50
Heavy Goods Vehicles/Small Buses: S$3.00-S$3.50
Very Heavy Goods Vehicles/ Big Buses: S$1.00-S$7.00
G/Notes for Drivers:
The charge passing through a gantry depends on the location and time, the peak hour being the most expensive. Examples include a trip from Woodlands to Raffles Place via Yishun - CTE - CBD will cost about $15 during peak as the driver will pass about 5 gantries whereas during lunchtime, it cost about S$2. Foreigners driving foreign-registered cars on priced roads, during the ERP operating hours, could choose to either rent an IU or pay a daily flat fee of S$5 when leaving Singapore.
If drivers fail to have sufficient value in their CashCard (or EZ-Link), they can pay the charges plus an administration fee of $10 within 24 hours or till midnight. Otherwise, a fixed penalty ticket of S$70 will be issued by registered post to the vehicle owner. This may rise to a fine of $1000 if not settled within 30 days or 1 month jail time.
H/Articles about ERP
-Look out! ERP! *jam brake* (http://blog.simplyjean.com/2007/11/10/look-out-erp-jam-brake/)
- Electronic road pricing in Singapore (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3927/is_199912/ai_n8875414/)
-Road Pricing- Singapore's Expreience ( http://www.imprint-eu.org/public/Papers/IMPRINT3_chin.pdf)
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