Singapore’s much vaunted ERP system is a dud

[Confuseous]

I refer to the 10 Sept 2014 Straits Times report “When ERP rates rise, traffic speed goes up too”.

Minister of State Josephine Teo reportedly said that car speeds rose 7% per dollar increase in electronic road pricing (ERP). But that one dollar increase is how many percent? The most common ERP rates are $0.50, $1, $1.50 and $2. Let’s say the average ERP rate is $1.25. An increase of $1 over $1.25 is 80% increase. 80% increase in ERP rate in return for a measly 7% increase in car speeds shows just how sorely ineffectively ERP is as a means of traffic congestion control. Singapore’s much vaunted traffic congestion system turns out to be quite unspectacular after all. It doesn’t reduce congestion but merely transfers congestion from one road to another road and ceases to be effective when all roads lead to congestion.

If the optimum speed on arterial roads is 20 km/h to 30 km/hr, http://trulysingapore.wordpress.com/2014/11/23/singapores-much-vaunted-erp-system-is-a-dud/

 

[syed putra]

Angry must pay more. SO speed up while driving. Taking the anger on the road and maybe on other drivers. Its a kind of protest message.

 

[johnny333]

We know the PAP is more concerned about $$$ then efficiency. For example just look at the problems that Ms. Saw caused SMRT by neglecting maintenance & squeezed out more $ for it's shareholders .

The ERP system's purpose is to generate $$$. If they really wanted to control traffic there are other ways of doing it e.g. improving the efficiency of our public transport, making public transport cheaper relative to using a car, have restrictions on when cars can be used such as odd & even numbered plates, restrict the number of COEs,.... All of these methods would of course reduce the revenue the PAP collects

 

[laksaboy]

We know the PAP is more concerned about $$$ then efficiency. For example just look at the problems that Ms. Saw caused SMRT by neglecting maintenance & squeezed out more $ for it's shareholders .

The ERP system's purpose is to generate $$$. If they really wanted to control traffic there are other ways of doing it e.g. improving the efficiency of our public transport, making public transport cheaper relative to using a car, have restrictions on when cars can be used such as odd & even numbered plates, restrict the number of COEs,.... All of these methods would of course reduce the revenue the PAP collects

More people = more vehicles (not just cars, but also public transport vehicles, delivery vehicles). No amount of ERP tinkering will solve the congestion.

Of course, if you're not into solving problems but rather profiteering, that's actually quite brilliant.