Finance

Revolutionary Flash Flood Alerts Now Available for ERP Users!

2025-07-01

Author: Wei Ling

SINGAPORE - Get ready, motorists! Thanks to a groundbreaking update, drivers equipped with the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) on-board units (OBUs) will now receive real-time alerts for flash floods when approaching affected roads.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) revealed this game-changing feature in a Facebook announcement on June 30, stating it will empower motorists to make informed decisions and take alternative routes to avoid hazardous conditions.

According to an LTA spokesperson, the alerts will trigger when drivers are within a 3-kilometer radius of any roads experiencing flash floods, enhancing road safety for everyone.

Existing features on the OBU already include real-time updates on parking availability, bus lane operations, and speed camera notifications, making this device an indispensable tool for modern drivers.

Motorists are praising the new feature. Jerome Lim, a 35-year-old account manager, expressed enthusiasm, saying, "This will be super helpful! I can avoid troublesome roads just by glancing at my OBU screen. It's an added bonus for sure!"

Matthew Tan, 24, an executive, added, "Having alerts about flash floods is crucial, especially when I drive my usual routes without using GPS. I really hope these alerts sound soon enough for me to take detours!"

For those who prefer other platforms, flood alerts are also accessible via the myENV app and the PUB’s Flood Alerts Telegram channel.

But the OBU is just getting started! This next-gen, satellite-based system will also soon allow for distance-based charging, as authorities explore different models for fair roadway usage.

There are also exciting plans in the pipeline! The Urban Redevelopment Authority and LTA are looking to integrate OBU payments for roadside parking and possibly enable drivers to pay missed ERP charges directly through the display.

Currently, over 557,000 vehicles have been outfitted with OBUs through more than 300 authorized workshops, marking a significant milestone in the initiative to equip the entire vehicle population of around one million units by 2026.

Since the launch of the installation program in November 2023, around 300,000 cars have been fitted with this innovative technology, greatly enhancing safety and convenience for Singaporean drivers.

As this initiative rolls out, the proportion of vehicles needing to return to the workshop for issues has dropped, showcasing improvements in the OBU's performance. Stay tuned for more thrilling updates!