Jul 5, 2010
Satellite-based ERP not the answer
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THE report last Thursday ('ERP system: From gantries to satellites') said a gantry-free system based on the use of satellites to track vehicles is being proposed, and that it can be easily extended to congested roads islandwide.
A satellite-based Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system may not be as effective as the current one. The purpose of ERP is to reduce traffic congestion at a particular area or stretch of road by either reducing or diverting traffic via tolls.
The current system works because it is supported by the psychology of human behaviour.
It has highly visible gantries and fees levied are displayed prominently. Motorists remember the
location of gantries as well as the fees levied and ERP timing, so they think twice about driving on roads clearly marked by gantries.
A satellite-based ERP system, on the other hand, does not have these features. The psychological effect of deterrence will thus be weakened. The likely result is that drivers will be less aware of whether ERP is being charged at a particular time at a certain stretch of road. They will also simply treat distance-based charging as another cost of driving, lumping it together with the cost of the car, petrol, insurance and road tax.
Another issue is the cost of the satellite-based system. What is the estimated cost of the tender, two-year trial and possible implementation? What will be the cost to motorists of modifying their in-vehicle units? Will the total be less than the cost of, say, 30 new gantries under the existing system?
The issue of privacy has also not been adequately addressed. Motorists need to be assured that their privacy will not be abused.
If the ERP is extended islandwide, it will lead only to more road congestion. The solution cannot be more ERP alone, but better control over the car population and infrastructural improvements such as road widening.
Soh Star
Satellite-based ERP not the answer
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
THE report last Thursday ('ERP system: From gantries to satellites') said a gantry-free system based on the use of satellites to track vehicles is being proposed, and that it can be easily extended to congested roads islandwide.
A satellite-based Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system may not be as effective as the current one. The purpose of ERP is to reduce traffic congestion at a particular area or stretch of road by either reducing or diverting traffic via tolls.
The current system works because it is supported by the psychology of human behaviour.
It has highly visible gantries and fees levied are displayed prominently. Motorists remember the
location of gantries as well as the fees levied and ERP timing, so they think twice about driving on roads clearly marked by gantries.
A satellite-based ERP system, on the other hand, does not have these features. The psychological effect of deterrence will thus be weakened. The likely result is that drivers will be less aware of whether ERP is being charged at a particular time at a certain stretch of road. They will also simply treat distance-based charging as another cost of driving, lumping it together with the cost of the car, petrol, insurance and road tax.
Another issue is the cost of the satellite-based system. What is the estimated cost of the tender, two-year trial and possible implementation? What will be the cost to motorists of modifying their in-vehicle units? Will the total be less than the cost of, say, 30 new gantries under the existing system?
The issue of privacy has also not been adequately addressed. Motorists need to be assured that their privacy will not be abused.
If the ERP is extended islandwide, it will lead only to more road congestion. The solution cannot be more ERP alone, but better control over the car population and infrastructural improvements such as road widening.
Soh Star