so.. they've finally done it...
to make it "cheaper" for them to gouge us some more, they're
going to use a satellite system to charge us...
Jun 30, 2010
By Maria Almenoar
THE Government is calling for technical proposals from industry
players for a new generation Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system
here.
Transport Minister Raymond Lim made this announcement at the
World Urban Transport Leaders Summit on Wednesday morning.
Over a two year period, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) will
do various tests on satellite-based technology used for ERP.
The biggest challenge will be Singapore's dense urban
environment where tall buildings could potentially interfere with
the system.
Currently, there are no urban cities that use satellite-based
technology for congestion charging. Germany uses this system but
for open expressways for all trucks weighing 12 tonnes and
above.
In his speech, Mr Lim said LTA has been studying various
technology applications and has identified a Global Navigation
Satellite System (GNSS) as one of these which makes use of
satellites to determine the position of a vehicle.
He said since the ERP system was implemented in 1998, it has
been functioning on a gantry-based system, which charges motorists
as they pass under these gantries when they are in operation.
'This system has served us well. However, as the number of
vehicles on our roads increases over the longer term, congestion
will become more extensive. It may become impractical to continue
installing ever more physical gantries to manage congestion.
'We will therefore have to explore other solutions that would
enable a more effective approach to implement congestion pricing
which will help reduce the dependence on physical gantries.'
In his speech, the minister added that the government is also
looking into the development and use of green technologies in
Singapore, and is test-bedding clean technologies in the transport
sector.
Examples include energy efficient lighting for traffic and
street lights, recycled materials for road pavement construction,
and construction methods that minimise the impact on the
environment.
Source (The Straitjacket Times) => Call for new ERP Proposal
seems like Raymond Lim is trying his damnest to outdo Mabok
Tongue
