New ERP gantries: Part II
I noticed that lately there has been a spike in my readership, with the bulk of the readers visiting via search terms like "new erp gantries", "new erp charges" etc. As such, this post is dedicated to you who are searching for more information on the 16 new ERP gantries mentioned by Minister Raymond Lim in Land Transport Review Part 3.
The locations of the new ERP gantries are all summarised in the map below. For better viewing experience, I would strongly encourage you to click here for bigger map and better interactivity (yes, you can zoom in and out of the bigger map by using the scroll wheel). The pins denote the exact locations of the ERP gantries. The colour code of the pins is as follows:
- Blue pins: Operates from 5 Nov 07 (implemented)
- Red pins: Operates from 7 Apr 08
- Green pins: Operates from 7 Jul 08
- Purple pins: Operates from 3 Nov 08
In addition, the map also outlines the boundaries of the newly demarcated ERP cordon area Bugis-Marina Centre Cordon, which is a new area carved out from the existing CBD so that differential ERP rates can be applied to this area to better regulate through-traffic.
If you are keen to read the full LTA's press release on the new ERP gantries, please read on (also available here).
Measures To Manage Road Usage
1. As announced by Mr Raymond Lim, the Minister for Transport, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will be making changes to the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system to enhance its effectiveness in managing traffic congestion on the roads. With the changes, a total of 16 new ERP gantries will be activated this year, and this includes the 5 gantries which were announced in August 2007 last year but have not been activated.
2. The ERP changes will be phased in gradually, starting with the Central Business District (CBD) and Orchard Cordons in July 2008. This is to give time for motorists to adjust their travel plans and allow for the impact of the changes in the CBD and Orchard Cordon to work its way through the rest of the road network.
3. The enhancements to the ERP system, the implementation of new ERP gantries and how the new ERP criteria will take effect are outlined below.
Enhancements to the ERP System
4. The ERP system has essentially remained unchanged since its introduction in 1998. As traffic volumes today are far different from a decade ago, enhancements are necessary to ensure the ERP system’s effectiveness. As part of the Land Transport Review, the LTA has studied and reviewed the matter carefully, and will be implementing the following changes to enhance the ERP system from July 2008:
a. Use the 85th Percentile Speed Measurement MethodThe current threshold speeds (45 km/h on expressways and 20 km/h on arterial roads) were set 10 years ago. Today, the threshold speeds are close to the point where traffic flow can deteriorate rapidly into the unstable zone where ‘stop-start’ conditions become common. In order to create a buffer, LTA will use a more representative method of measuring actual traffic conditions for ERP rate reviews, with speeds determined using the 85th percentile speed measurement method, instead of using average speeds as is done currently. The 85th percentile speed measurement method is also an international traffic engineering practice for assessing traffic conditions. With the revised speed measurement method, motorists will be assured of smooth travel on ERP-priced roads at least 85% of the time;
b. Increase the Initial ERP Charge and Rate Increment
Motorists today are less sensitive to the rate structure which has remained unchanged since 1998. For ERP charges to remain effective in influencing motorists’ behaviour, LTA will raise the incremental ERP charge from $0.50 to $1. In addition, the ERP base charge, which is the starting charge for a new ERP gantry point, will be increased from the current $1 to $2. These changes will improve the effectiveness of the ERP system, so that each time ERP rates are adjusted, motorists who still choose to drive on these roads would see a visible improvement in traffic flows.
c. Manage Congestion in the City AreaTo address the congestion in the city area, LTA will introduce the Singapore River Line, comprising 5 new ERP gantries that run roughly along the Singapore River to discourage through traffic from using the city for outbound trips, and Saturday traffic.
New ERP Gantries
5. LTA has been monitoring traffic conditions closely on the roads, and has assessed that 16 new ERP gantries are necessary to help manage congestion at the identified locations. The LTA will phase in the implementation of the 16 gantries as shown below.
April 2008 – Operation of 5 gantries that were announced in Aug 2007
6. In August 2007, LTA had announced that ERP gantries would be installed at 5 locations, namely (i) Upper Bukit Timah Road ; (ii) Toa Payoh Lorong 6; (iii) Upper Boon Keng Road; (iv) Geylang Bahru Road ; and (v) Kallang Bahru Road . These gantries would be activated only when traffic speeds fall below the optimal speed range. LTA has been monitoring the traffic conditions at these 5 locations closely, and has established that traffic speeds on all 5 roads have fallen below the optimal speed threshold based on the current speed criteria [1].
7. Therefore, LTA will be activating these gantries from 7 April 2008. The operating hours of these 5 gantries will be from 7.30am to 9.30am. Please refer to Annex A for the location and ERP rates of these gantries.
July 2008 – Operation of 5 new gantries along the Singapore River in the CBD
8. The five gantries on the Singapore River Line will run roughly along the Singapore River from Clemenceau Ave to Fullerton Road, separating the commercial and shopping areas such as the Suntec area from the office-based areas such as Shenton Way/Robinson Road . These 5 gantries serve to reduce through traffic from using the city area for outbound trips in the evening, similar in concept to the Orchard Cordon where ERP was implemented to reduce through-traffic which would otherwise use Orchard Road to get to other areas. Traffic speeds on these roads are below the optimal speed range, based on the revised criteria.
9. To better manage the speeds within the Orchard and CBD
cordons, the ERP operation hours for the CBD will start from 7am to 8pm on weekdays. The ERP for Orchard Cordon will start from 10am to 8pm on weekdays.
10. The 5 gantries on the Singapore River Line will come into operation on 7 July 2008, and will operate from 5pm to 8pm on weekdays. Two of the new gantries – namely Eu Tong Sen Street and Fullerton Road (towards Esplanade Drive ) – will operate on Saturday from 10am to 8pm. The rate increase of $1 will be applied if the traffic conditions closer to July warrant it for each of the half-hour time slots.11. Please refer to Annex B for the locations of these gantries.
12. On Saturdays, the gantries at Eu Tong Sen Street and Fullerton Road (towards Suntec City), together with th the existing CBD gantries north of the Singapore River Line, will help to demarcate the Bugis-Marina Centre Cordon as traffic conditions within this cordon have deteriorated below the optimal speed threshold. The Bugis-Marina Centre Cordon and the existing Orchard Cordon will operate during the same hours on Saturdays and will help in in managing g traffic in the City area on Saturdays. [Please refer to Annex C for the location of the different cordons.]
November 2008 – Operation of 6 new gantries on arterial roads and expressways
13. Based on the new ERP criteria (i.e. 85th percentile speed measurement method), traffic speeds at 6 locations on arterial roads and expressways have fallen below the optimal speed range, and ERP is needed to manage the congestion that is building up at these areas. The new gantries will operate from 3 November 2008 onwards, and they are as shown below. Please refer to Annex D for the location of the 6 new gantries.
a. 3 new gantries on roads along the Outer Cordon in the morning. LTA will be installing new gantries at the following 3 locations along the Outer Cordon to address the congestion on these roads, namely (i) Commonwealth Avenue; (ii) Jalan Bukit Merah; and (iii) Alexandra Road.
b. 2 new gantries on expressways in the morning. One gantry is along AYE (westbound), near Alexandra Road, and the other is along PIE (westbound), near Eunos.
c. New gantry on Serangoon Road in the evening. To address the congestion on Serangoon Road during the evening peak hours, LTA will be installing a gantry there.
14. The operation hours and ERP rates at each of the 6 gantries above will be determined and announced closer to their implementation in November 2008. [Please refer to Annex E for a map showing the location of the Outer Cordon.]
Implementation of New ERP Criteria and Rates on Existing ERP Gantries15. LTA will be phasing in the implementation of the new ERP criteria and new ERP rates on existing ERP gantries to allow time for motorists to adjust their travel plans. The new criteria will first be applied to the CBD and Orchard Cordon in July 2008 before being extended to other roads progressively. This will also allow for the impact of changes in the city area to work its way through the rest of the road network. If the new ERP rates in the CBD and Orchard Cordon result in fewer motorists driving on the roads leading to the city, ERP rates need not be adjusted if speeds do not fall below the threshold speed.
16. The following is the schedule for the application of the new ERP criteria (i.e. 85th percentile speed measurement method and ERP rate increment of $1) on existing ERP gantries:
18. The main aim of the ERP changes is to keep our roads smooth flowing and ensure a high quality urban environment. We are putting a lot of effort into making public transport a viable alternative to driving and we hope that more motorists will give it a try.” said Mr Yam Ah Mee, LTA Chief Executive.
[1] Using the average speed measurement methodSource: LTA, 30 Jan 2008
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7 comments:
Wow!! Great map!
1 question though.. What does the red line mean? Theres a red line along the roads, queensway, farrer road, adam road, lornie, thomson, braddell, aljunied, fort road..
Is that some kind of inner sub urban boundary?
Dear Fergus,
The line is Outer Cordon, or previously known as the Outer Ring Road System (ORRS). As quoted from one.motoring, "The Outer Ring Road System (ORRS) is a network of major roads that forms a 'ring' along the outer areas of the city. It provides an alternative route for motorists to travel between the east and west of Singapore without going through the city. Hence, it helps to reduce the traffic volume on city-bound roads."
Ah.. I see I see..
Something new I learnt today :)
Any idea what the government is planning to do about pollution from public buses? If I assume correctly, the public buses are currently running on diesel engines compliant with EuroIV standards.
The new CNG refueling plant has also just opened recently in Mandai.. what I am talking about is basically sustainable transport, specifically the use of green fuels. CNG is a great alternative and should be encouraged with more tax incentives.
Other technologies such as DDF (Dual Diesel Fuel); modifying the existing engine for it to run CNG and Diesel could also be explored, but this is definitely more expensive.
I have found some information at NEA, which means that this would have to be an inter-ministry collaboration, but I have not noticed any new initiatives or policies pertaining to usage of green fuel.
Singapore's role as a center for oil refinering proving to be a stumbling block perhaps?
Dear Anonymous,
Thank you for your comments.
Currently, the regulation is that all new buses and taxis need to be Euro IV compliant; existing vehicles do not need to comply with this. As such, we will have to wait until 2023 when the existing buses and taxis get replaced by the end of their statutory life (which is 17 years for buses) before we are able to see all Euro IV compliant vehicles.
I do not think Singapore's role in petrol refining is the stumbling for the seemingly lack of progress in environmentally friendly measures or practices. Rather, it is, in my opinion, due to the low economic returns on using biodiesel . More efforts need to be channelled to educate and convince the two operators of the long term benefits of using green fuels.
Instead of promoting green fuel, Singapore is tackling emission through other means: first, by promoting public transport rather than private transport, and second, by promoting the use of green vehicles through tax rebates, specifically the hybrid car.
Mandatory use of green fuels of financial incentives on using green fuels is unfortunately not one of the strategies.
how much is does a green car cost these days?
my opinion is that there is still a long way to go for locals to really begin to use the public transport system much more frequently, hence more incentives should be given to shorter term solutions, like CNG and hybrid as mentioned earlier.
well no harm letting other countries try out the technology either, after all, tech stuff is pretty risky and expensive to implement.
im still pretty apprehensive, like MP Low Thia Khiang, that the requirements to operate public bus services would be too high for the private bus operators to qualify- end up still the same two companies running the show.
thanks for the info on the buses too, didnt know they 'expire' in 2023 and have a life of 17 years too.
im thinking that the tuas extension would be more suitable for LRTs to operate instead of MRT, and just operating them during the normal operating hours will do- no one lives there, right?
in fact there really isnt too much to argue about... presently it already is a world class transportation system.
now... if only we could have double decker MRTs!! well, if only... =)
sorry for not putting my name earlier =D
Ref ERP rates and new gantries wef 7 July 2008
WOndered whether you have studied the relationship between the implementation of full bus lane in City/Orchard/(various types of cordon areas) and the LTA-oft-quoted fact that congestion is getting worse which they justify by raising ERP rates wef 7 July. Its simple logic. Cars were growing at a certain rate with roads too. Then suddenly we lose one lane everywhere to the buses. so from 4 lanes become 3 and from 5 lanes become 4. Of course that directly affects traffic flow and hence congestion and hence ERP rates!
WOndered has anyone questioned LTA or our dear minister for this.
And the 85% parameter thing; with one lane almost permanently removed for the exclusive use of buses, of course this 85% will drastically drop by up to 25% (assume 4 lanes become 3) which means that parameter should adjust to .85x.75 (~ 60%) isn't it?
My other question is what is so special about the 2-3pm window in the CBD area? I noticed that rates in that window haveincreased. OK i understand that lunch time traffic 12-12.30 is heavy so it kind of justify the hike but 2-3pm? i really wonder why! any ideas?
Lastly you saw the advert put out by LTA on Fri 4 July on the different ERP rates and the cordons stuff? Its frustrating. What do they mean when they say if ERP increases, "WHEN TRIGGERED" will be increased by $1.00 and no longer 50 cents
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