In a significant move towards modernizing road pricing, Singapore is currently testing an experimental system known as ERP X, which utilizes advanced camera technology and vehicle license plate recognition to automate Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) charges. This trial, initiated in November 2024, is set to continue until October 2025, although officials have clarified that there are no immediate plans for a full-scale rollout.
According to The Straits Times, The ERP X project is spearheaded by Open Government Products (OGP), a division of the Government Technology Agency dedicated to developing technology for public benefit. This initiative emerged from OGP’s annual Hack for Public Good event, which encourages innovative solutions for governmental challenges. As part of the trial, nine cameras have been strategically placed in the Bras Basah area, where they automatically capture vehicle license plate numbers. Payments for tolls are processed seamlessly through a smartphone application, marking a departure from the traditional hardware-based system currently in use.
The cameras, mounted on lamp posts, are designed to read the rear license plates of vehicles as they pass by. An OGP representative stated that the primary goal of this trial is to gather insights and feedback to better understand the technology’s potential applications in improving road and vehicle management, including enforcement measures. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is collaborating with OGP on this initiative, emphasizing that the project is still in its exploratory phase.
One of the key advantages of the ERP X system is its potential to facilitate distance-based charging. Unlike the existing system, which charges drivers based on specific locations, the new technology could allow for charges based on the distance traveled, provided enough cameras are installed to monitor vehicle routes effectively.
The ERP X trial was launched in response to challenges associated with the upcoming satellite-based ERP 2.0 system, which is intended to replace the current gantry-based system. Some drivers have expressed concerns regarding the new system’s complexity and the bulkiness of its three-piece on-board unit, which includes a processing unit, antenna, and touchscreen display.
In the latest quarterly update, OGP reported that an “offences dashboard” has been established to help operations officers monitor potential violations detected by the system, such as vehicles operating during restricted hours or lorries lacking proper safety measures. As of March 2025, the trial had 162 participants, with the cameras achieving an impressive accuracy rate of 95.4% in recognizing license plates. The trial’s costs for the first quarter of 2025 amounted to approximately $362,773.
Participants in the trial must provide details about their vehicles and mobile devices to be considered for the test. Successful applicants receive instructions via WhatsApp on how to download the ERP X app, which allows users to manage multiple vehicle registrations and view transaction summaries, including routes and distances traveled.
As Singapore transitions to the ERP 2.0 system, approximately 430,000 vehicles have already been equipped with the new on-board units, with full installation expected to be completed by 2026. The ongoing trials and developments in road pricing technology reflect Singapore’s commitment to enhancing its transport infrastructure and improving the efficiency of its road usage systems.