ERP 2.0 On-Board Unit Installation Starting in November with Fleet Vehicles
All other vehicles will be progressively scheduled for installation from 1Q2024
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will begin installation of the new on-board unit (OBU) under the ERP 2.0 system in phases from next month, starting with fleet vehicles.
2. The new Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based system will replace the existing ERP system. The current system has been in operation for 25 years (since 1998) and is reaching the end of its operational lifespan. With that, the current in-vehicle unit (IU) will be replaced with the new OBU, which comprises three components – a processing unit, an antenna, and a touchscreen display. For motorcycles, these three components are integrated into a single-piece OBU. The OBU will be provided free of charge to all eligible Singapore-registered vehicles[1] during the installation period. See Annex A for more information on the OBU.
Installation to Commence in Phases
3. From 1 November 2023, fleet vehicles[2], for motorcycles and all other vehicles, will have the OBU installed progressively. Vehicle owners will receive a notification[3] from LTA when it is their turn, with instructions on how they can schedule an installation appointment.
4. All other vehicles will progressively have their OBU installed. From the first quarter of 2024, new vehicles will be fitted with the OBU. Remaining existing vehicles will be scheduled for installation in batches, based on the age of the vehicles. The OBU exercise is expected to be completed by end-2025.
5. Installation is free if it is completed within the two-month period stated in the notification. More details about the installation for individual vehicles will be announced early next year.
What Motorists Can Expect
6. The touchscreen display will provide motorists with ERP-related information (e.g., ERP charges and card balance), as well as road and traffic updates, such as the locations of Silver Zones, School Zones, speed cameras and bus lanes.
7. In the future when all vehicles have transitioned to ERP 2.0, the touchscreen display can support additional features such as real time traffic alerts (e.g., road or lane closures, accidents, or heavy traffic), payment of roadside parking and tolls at the checkpoints (Singapore-registered cars only).
8. Motorists are strongly encouraged to install all three OBU components to access the full range of features, such as paying for roadside parking. However, LTA has also considered public feedback to cater to motorists who wish to opt out of installing the touchscreen display. These motorists will be able to access key OBU information via compatible mobile applications[4] on their smartphones instead. In addition, LTA has released a software development kit (SDK) to allow software developers to develop handphone applications that integrate and display ERP 2.0 data, such as key charging and traffic information[5]. In releasing the SDK, we have put in place strict security safeguards such as ensuring that applications can only receive aforementioned key ERP information from the OBU in a one-way manner, but they will not be able to read other data or make any changes to the data.
No change to Current Charging Framework
9.            The OBU is designed to work with existing systems, including ERP and parking gantries, and there will be no change to how motorists are currently charged for ERP during the transition period. While ERP 2.0 has the capability to support distance-based charging through its GNSS, LTA has no immediate plans to introduce distance-based charging. For more information on ERP 2.0, please visit https://go.gov.sg/erp2onemotoring.
What is the new OBU
Annex A: The OBU and Configuration in Vehicles
The single-piece OBU for motorcycles includes a processing unit and a small touchscreen for riders to toggle through different functions. It will be mounted on motorcycles’ handlebars.
The three-piece OBU, which will be installed in all other vehicles, comprises an antenna, processing unit and touchscreen display. This design takes into consideration operational differences between motorcycles and other vehicles. For example, heat dissipation is a key factor as the ambient temperature in an enclosed vehicle is significantly higher and would not suit a one-piece design. The functions of the three components are as follows:
a. Antenna: Communicates with ERP and car park gantries and GNSS.
b. Processing unit: Processes all payment-related transactions.
c. Touchscreen display: Notifies motorists about ERP and payment info,
and provides other info such as locations of nearby Silver Zones, bus
lanes etc. It also allows drivers to control the volume of OBU alerts.
The antenna will be mounted on the windscreen in a way that does not obstruct the view of drivers or distract them, without compromising on its communication with the gantries and GNSS.
The processing unit will be mounted on the side of the front passenger footwell to manage all payment-related transactions. The feasibility of this position in different vehicles will be assessed at the workshop and alternate locations will be suggested if necessary.
