Roadside parking payment via OBU now under way for 1,000 trial users
A trial involving 1,000 motorists using their vehicles' on-board units (OBU) to pay for roadside parking started on Aug 3. The trial supports the upcoming ERP 2 system, with existing ERP gantries removed and payment integrated into OBU or compatible apps from Jan 1.
Intelligence analysis by Llama
A trial of 1,000 motorists using OBU to pay for roadside parking started on Aug 3, supporting the upcoming ERP 2 system. Existing ERP gantries will be removed and payment integrated into OBU or compatible apps from Jan 1.
Imagine you're driving your car and you need to park. Instead of looking for a parking machine or using a separate app, you can just use the touchscreen display in your car to pay for parking. It's like a special button that makes parking easier and more convenient.
Analysis
A Trial of Convenience for Motorists
The recent trial involving 1,000 motorists using their vehicles' on-board units (OBU) to pay for roadside parking is a significant step towards the implementation of the ERP 2 system. This system, set to be rolled out from Jan 1, will see the removal of existing ERP gantries and the integration of payment into OBU or compatible apps. The trial aims to gather user feedback on the various features and user interfaces before refining them ahead of the roll-out.
A Seamless Parking Experience
The OBU touchscreen display allows motorists to start parking sessions via a small 'P' icon on the top right corner of the screen. Alternatively, a prompt will appear on the screen when the engine is turned off, allowing them to start the session. In cases where more than one carpark is detected, the screen will show a list of carparks for motorists to select. The display, which also shows the parking rate, will remain illuminated for around two minutes before the OBU shuts down. If motorists want to start a parking session after the screen has turned off, they can restart the vehicle's ignition to bring up the screen again.
Payment Made Easy
Payment is made through the CEPAS card in the OBU's processing unit. Alternatively, motorists can pay through back-end payment services, namely AXS Drive, EZ-Link Motoring Service and the Nets Virtual CashCard. This convenient payment system will make it easier for motorists to pay for parking without having to worry about finding a payment machine or using a separate app.
Key points
- A trial involving 1,000 motorists using their vehicles' on-board units (OBU) to pay for roadside parking started on Aug 3.
- The trial supports the upcoming ERP 2 system, with existing ERP gantries removed and payment integrated into OBU or compatible apps from Jan 1.
- Payment is made through the CEPAS card in the OBU's processing unit or back-end payment services.
- The OBU touchscreen display allows motorists to start parking sessions via a small 'P' icon or a prompt when the engine is turned off.
If the trial is successful, the implementation of the ERP 2 system could lead to a more efficient and convenient parking experience for motorists in Singapore. Motorists may appreciate the ability to pay for parking without having to worry about finding a payment machine or using a separate app.
However, there may be some technical issues or glitches that need to be ironed out before the ERP 2 system is fully rolled out. Motorists may experience some inconvenience or frustration if the system is not working smoothly.
