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SINGAPORE: Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung spoke on Thursday (September 10) about the new Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) on-board units (OBUs) to be rolled out to Singapore-registered vehicles in 2021, citing ” a lot of comments and questions “since the units were announced earlier this week.
The OBUs will be used when Singapore switches to the next generation ERP system, based on the Global Navigation Satellite System, in mid-2023. This replaces the gantry system, which is more than 20 years old.
Existing Singapore-registered vehicles will receive their first OBU for free and will replace the current units in the vehicle in an installation exercise that will begin in the second half of next year.
READ: New ERP units to be installed from the second half of 2021; still unchanged in congestion pricing framework
In a Facebook post, Ong addressed the top seven questions about the OBU.
WHY IS A THREE-PIECE CAR OBU NEEDED?
For motorcycles, the OBU is a one-piece device designed to be mounted on the vehicle. However, all other vehicles will have a three-piece design installed, which includes an antenna and a touch screen attached to the windshield. There is also a processing unit that can be mounted under the dash.
A new on-board unit on a motorcycle. (Photo: LTA)
Mr. Ong said that while “technically there is no problem with having an integrated unit”, “the problem is the heat.”
“Every now and then we park our cars in the sun and an in-dash processing unit could not function without a large cooling unit. So the contractor designed it as a separate module under the dash, rather than part of a much larger OBU integrated into the dash, “said the minister.
WHY IS THE OBU WINDSHIELD UNIT SO BIG?
The OBU photos “can be a bit misleading,” Ong said.
He clarified that the dimensions of the windshield unit are 152mm by 80mm, compared to the current In-Vehicle Unit (UI), which measures 121mm by 78mm, making the new unit “just a little more big”.
“We will consult with shops soon and discuss how best to install the new units to minimize windshield blockage,” he said.
READ: The new technology driving traffic on Singapore’s roads
USING THE OBU FOR NAVIGATION
In addition to providing information on ERP freight rates and locations, the OBU will also provide real-time traffic updates, as well as nearby school zone and silver zone locations.
However, it was raised that some motorists would prefer to use their phone to navigate the roads and that the new screen would only be a distraction.
The new on-board unit for all other types of vehicles other than motorcycles. (Photo: LTA)
“We recognize that most motorists will still prefer to use their own navigation devices, but the display is a useful feature to incorporate.
“In addition to displaying ERP transaction information in real time, the LTA (Land Transportation Authority) can use it to extract other important traffic-related information when needed. It is better to provide it now so that other good uses can be incorporated in the future. “said Mr. Ong.
I CAN’T GET THE SCREEN?
“The screen is a standard problem,” Ong said.
“We are also aware that even if there is a simpler unit without a display available, motorists may choose the simplest unit first and then want to return to the unit with the display screen later as we will want to know how much is deducted, what The balance remains, “he said, adding that this” always happens. ”
CAN THE SMARTPHONE BE USED INSTEAD OF THE DISPLAY UNIT?
Another issue that was raised was the ability to continue using the smartphone instead of the display unit, as drivers can now pay their parking fees with their smartphone.
Mr. Ong said that this is a “possible future upgrade”, but that “to start the new system”, it is “better to have a standard problem”.
“Data security (was) a key consideration when we decided to tackle a standard issue instead of using our individual smartphones. Also, if we use our own smartphones for ERP, there will be operational issues like dead battery, forgetting to bring smartphones. , ” he said.
WHY IS THERE NO DISTANCE-BASED CHARGING?
While the new system is capable of using distance-based pricing, “as a policy we are holding back,” Mr. Ong said.
“As the system is cut in 2023, it is much better to continue with congestion pricing in a way that has been effective and that motorists are used to,” he said.
“Remote charging is a significant policy change, which has many implications and must be studied carefully.”
WHY WAS THERE NO CONSULTATION ON THE DESIGN OF THE OBU?
Mr. Ong said that LTA had some “practical limitations”.
“An international tender was called and several proposals came in, including the current one. LTA then had to choose the best system to replace the old ERP system. After that, LTA is contractually bound.
“There may be consultations and design changes but it will affect the contract.
“We will have to see how to do this better next time,” he said.
