Land Transport Authority (LTA) in Singapore has awarded the tender to develop the next-generation Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system to the consortium of NCS Pte Ltd and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engine System Asia Pte Ltd.
The consortium will develop the next-generation ERP system based on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Technology, at a cost of $556 million. NCS is the consortium lead to integrate the overall system and solution while MHIES-A will provide the intelligent On-Board Unit (OBU) and roadside infrastructure. The new system will be implemented progressively from 2020. To ensure a seamless transition, there will an 18-month switchover period to transit from the current ERP system to the new system.
Commenting on the tender, LTA’s Chief Executive Mr Chew Men Leong said: “Since introduction, the road pricing system has been effective in managing traffic congestion. The next-generation road pricing system will allow us to improve on this, with greater flexibility. It will also allow us to provide more services for motorists’ convenience, such as disseminating information on traffic advisories and facilitating e-payments.”
The system will allow for more flexibility in managing traffic congestion through distance-based road pricing. It will also be able to overcome the constraints of physical gantries, which are costly and take up land space. A new OBU will replace the existing In-Vehicle Unit, which can also be used to deliver additional services to motorists. For example, LTA will be able to disseminate traffic advisories through the OBU. The OBU can also be used to pay for parking, checkpoint tolls, and usage of off-peak cars electronically.
Mr Chia Wee Boon, CEO of NCS Pte Ltd said: “Many urban cities are plagued with traffic congestion challenges. We are honoured to be selected by LTA for the implementation of the new system. This project gives us the opportunity to work with LTA and industry players to catalyse innovation and to build the needed capabilities for Singapore’s Intelligent Transport Industry, in line with Singapore’s Smart Nation vision.”
Mr Hisaji Takeuchi, Senior General Manager of MHIES-A said: “We have been involved in the Singapore ERP for more than 20 years and we are very honoured to be given the subsequent opportunity to play a part in Singapore’s transport developments together with LTA and NCS. We have a proven and long-term relationship with NCS and we believe that this state-of-the-art system will be the showcase of GNSS-based transportation systems in the urban area to ensure a smooth and seamless travel experience for all motorists.”
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