Oral Reply by Senior Minister of State for Transport Dr Amy Khor to Parliamentary Question on On-Board Unit (OBU)

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Transport 

a.     whether the next generation ERP System allows for developers to create third-party applications; 

b.     whether the design of the on-board unit (OBU) can be further streamlined for motorcyclists; and

c.     whether the majority of the OBU’s functions can be replaced by a smartphone in the future. 

Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Transport

a.     whether the next-generation electronic road pricing (ERP) system is an opensource app-based device;

b.     how will LTA allocate slots for installation of on-board units (OBU) to minimise queueing;

c.     whether there is any replacement cost should the OBU get faulty after usage; and 

d.     in light of safety concerns about how the OBU’s screen may be distracting to drivers, whether there can be an option to dim or turn off the display. 

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport

a.     whether LTA will reduce the size and improve the design of the on-board units (OBUs) for all classes of vehicles for the next-generation ERP system to ensure safe use, avoid distraction to motorists and better interfacing with the vehicular dashboards and systems; and 

b.     whether LTA will assure Singaporeans that the price of the OBUs will be kept low and affordable.

Reply by Senior Minister of State for Transport Dr Amy Khor:

1.     Mr Speaker Sir, members have raised a few questions commonly asked by the public on the next-generation Electronic Road Pricing (nexgen ERP) system. I want to assure members that in designing the system, LTA has carefully thought through these issues.

2.     The first question is why not process ERP payments using our smartphones? After all, we use it to pay all kinds of transactions, including charges at HDB and URA car parks. Technically, while this can be done, there will be many security and operational issues.

3.     LTA consulted an inter-agency committee including the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, who advised that the core charging transactions and ERP data must be safely and securely processed with high assurance. The on-board units (OBUs), which is an integral part of the ERP system, have been designed to uphold the necessary protection for such purpose, and the security features are superior to that of a mobile phone. Hence, to better protect the system which contains the data of all motorists, we adopted the OBUs.

4.     There are also operational issues. Motorists need to remember to bring their smartphones, ensure it is sufficiently charged, is connected to the cellular network, and the ERP payment app is launched throughout the journey. There will bound to be numerous unintended failed transactions and inconveniences caused. Hence, LTA concluded that it is better to process payments through a dedicated and integrated OBU, similar to today’s in-vehicle unit (IU). 

5.     The second question is about the design of the OBU. The OBU for motorcycles is only slightly larger than the current IU – 14cm x 8cm x 5cm for the OBU versus 13cm x 8cm x 4cm for the IU. 

6.     As for the OBUs for other vehicles, unlike for motorcycles, the processing unit will be installed below the dashboard and separated from the display unit on the windscreen. This is necessary, because the OBU uses Global Navigation Satellite Technology and is really a little computer. There will be safety and reliability issues to leave the processing unit on the dashboard when vehicles with enclosed spaces are parked under the hot sun, similar to how we will not expose our smartphones that same way.

7.     The OBU display unit will be mounted on the windscreen, and is also only slightly larger than the current IU – 15cm x 8cm x 2cm versus 12cm x 8cm x 3cm.

8.     We are currently consulting workshops and authorised motor vehicle agents on how best to install the OBUs. For example, the OBU display unit can be installed in cars such that the blockage of the windscreen is very minimal, and can be folded away. As for what to show on the display unit, indeed it should not be distracting and affect safety.

9.     LTA intends to present a few options to gather public feedback. For example, the display can be kept black most of the time, and only display ERP charges paid when a transaction is effected. As a possible future upgrade, LTA is also studying whether information from the OBU can be pushed to our smartphones, which can then be used as the display screen instead.

10.    Ms He Ting Ru has asked a question for the next sitting on whether public consultation was done on the design, and I thought it is better we answer the question today. Where possible, our practice is to consult the public, but in this case, LTA faces some practical constraints.

11.    This is a first-of-a-kind project – there is no similar system anywhere else in the world. LTA sought proposals through an international tender. Several designs were submitted, and LTA has to select the best from the point of view of performance, design and value for money. But after awarding the tender, LTA is contractually bound. It could have specified that the winning tenderer has to conduct a major public consultation exercise, and make significant changes to the design to take in public feedback, but that will add significant uncertainty which will delay the project and push up the tender prices.

12.    The first OBU will be free of charge for existing Singapore-registered vehicles. For new vehicles, the OBU would already be installed in the vehicle and form part of the overall cost of purchasing a new vehicle, as is the case with IUs today. The pricing of OBU is still under consideration, and LTA will release more details later including the warranty period of OBUs and information of the installation exercise. In allocating the slots, we will ensure that there are sufficient installation points and give motorists ample notice to make their booking.