There are material inaccuracies in the report.

First, the report claims erroneously that the next-generation ERP system is likely to charge motorists based on how long they stay on the road. This is categorically not the case. Rather, the next-generation ERP system is intended to have the capability to charge based on distance travelled along congested stretches of roads. This will be a more equitable and economically efficient system than the current point-charging system where motorists are charged on the number of gantries they drive through rather than distance travelled on a congested road. Further, motorists who join a congested road after the gantry points are not charged even though they also contribute to congestion on the road in question.

Second, a distance-based system will need to track movements of all vehicles accurately and that is where Global Positioning System (GPS) technology comes in. Contrary to what the report said, the GPS in each car is not intended to 'determine quickly when and where congestion is occurring, and levy charges accordingly'. Road pricing works only when users know in advance how roads are priced and change their behaviour accordingly, so there will be no dynamic pricing that would surprise road users. Rather, the public will be told well in advance where roads will be priced and charges levied.

Finally, as the technological challenges involved in designing the new-generation ERP system are considerable, it is premature for the LTA to commit to any deadline on the roll-out of such a system. Hence the report, in claiming the LTA 'may implement it as early as 2010', is not well founded.

Dr Chin Kian Keong
Chief Engineer, Transportation
Land Transport Authority