‘Complex’ ERP 2.0 installation will take longer due to more options: Chee Hong Tat, Singapore News

The installation process for ERP 2.0 on-board units (OBUs) has become more complex as more options are available to drivers, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat explained in Parliament on Wednesday (May 8). .

“By offering more options, the process becomes more complex and shops will need more time to complete the installation,” he said.

“However, we believe that compensation is necessary to allow vehicle owners the flexibility to customize their preferred options, and not have a ‘one size fits all’ approach.”

Generally, it will take around two hours to install the OBU for most motorcycles and four hours for other vehicles, but for some it may take longer, according to LTA’s OneMotoring website.

Responding to questions from Sembawang GRC MP Lim Wee Kiak, Chee further explained the difficulty in meeting the needs of individual drivers based on their vehicles and their choices.

Depending on the design and layout specifications of the vehicles, the preferred or ideal location for the OBU may vary, he said.

He The downside to giving vehicle owners more options, he added, is that it introduces more complexity into the installation process.

“But we think this compensation is important because we need to respect the individual choices of vehicle owners,” Chee said.

In particular, Chee referred to the location of the processing unit in the driver’s footwell, which he said may not be available to all drivers.

He also said that it is best to discuss this decision with LTA service ambassadors and workshop mechanics so that drivers can understand the available options before installation.

Currently, motorists will be able to choose their preferred location for the processing unit.

Some locations so far include the passenger footwell, under the glove box, and under the driver’s seat.

Greenhouse effect in cars

Lim also asked Chee about the feasibility of having the OBU as a single unit in cars, as is being done with motorcycles.

Citing a report and experiment recently conducted by AsiaOne, Chee explained that the closed environment of the car, plus the glass windshield, creates a greenhouse effect inside the vehicle.

While on a motorcycle, which does not have an enclosed space, the temperature reaches around 35 degrees Celsius, in the footwell of a car it can reach between 38 and 39 degrees Celsius, depending on the experiment.

On the dashboard, the temperature rises to a whopping 50 to 52 degrees Celsius, so high that AsiaOne’s cameras began to overheat and the crew had to stop recording.

‘Continuous improvement process’

Chee admitted to being an early adopter of the OBU and shared that he also installed it in his own vehicle.

“Like many early adopters, I also felt some concern about not being able to access the card conveniently if I had to use courtesy parking tickets.

“That’s why I was very happy when LTA developed that feature where I could just ‘deactivate’ the card by pressing a button on the touch screen… I don’t need to take out my card (take it out and reinsert it).” he said, adding that LTA’s recommendation is to use the touch screen, although the choice is up to each driver.

As feedback continues to come in from early adopters, there is a “continuous process of improvement,” Chee added.

According to the minister, LTA has already reviewed and made several improvements to the features and installation process of ERP 2.0 to offer drivers greater choice, convenience and safety.

In addition to the card ‘deactivation’ button, other improvements include expanding options for installing the processing unit on the driver’s side and improving user safety.

“Early users have shared with LTA that they find notifications for bus lanes, silver zones and school zones useful as it increases their situational awareness and improves road safety.

“We are working with partners to expand the list,” Chee said.

He reiterated that the transition from the current in-vehicle unit to the OBU is an important exercise involving many drivers and a wide range of vehicle makes and models. And that this process will take a few years to complete.

The three-piece OBU is part of the government’s efforts to replace the existing ERP system, which has been in use for more than 25 years and is nearing the end of its operational life.

Installation of the OBU began with a group of early adopters in August 2023 and so far, more than 18,000 vehicles have installed it, LTA said.

All new vehicles registered on or after May 1 will come with the OBU already installed.

The exercise is expected to conclude by the end of 2025, The Straits Times reported.

READ ALSO: ‘OBU power consumption is comparable to that of a car camera’: LTA clarifies misconceptions about ERP 2.0 unit