
Revolutionizing Road Pricing: Inside the Game-Changing ERP X Initiative
2025-06-09
Author: Daniel
A Bold Move in Medan
In a daring bid to transform a neighborhood in Indonesia into "the Singapore of Medan," locals constructed their own version of Singapore's iconic landmarks, including a Merlion and an Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantry. This initiative underscores the profound impact that Singapore's ERP system has had on how people perceive traffic management.
The ERP Dilemma
For Singaporean drivers, ERP gantries have become synonymous with the slow anguish of approaching a toll, marked by the ominous double beep as funds vanish for road usage. Though integrated into the fabric of vehicle ownership since its launch on April 1, 1998, the question remains: can road pricing be simplified into just an app?
Unraveling the ERP 2.0 Mystery
Enter Open Government Products (OGP), a GovTech initiative set to innovate public-serving technology. After announcing a replacement ERP system in 2014, the government began rolling out ERP 2.0 in late 2023, reliant on satellite technology and On-Board Units (OBUs), promising to eventually phase out the old gantries.
Meet ERP X: The Future of Road Pricing
Christabel Png, formerly a senior product designer at OGP, didn’t view the challenge as merely hardware; she questioned the entire approach. With a decade-long and costly rollout of ERP 2.0, she and her team envisioned a more user-friendly alternative: ERP X.
The concept is elegantly simple: traffic cameras utilize Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to charge a linked debit or credit card immediately upon recognition, eliminating the fuss of cash cards and gantries. Users receive instant notifications with a breakdown of their expenses, bringing transparency into focus.
A New Framework for Development
Unlike traditional government projects that often adhere to a rigid waterfall model, ERP X encourages iterative feedback and continuous improvement. Christabel noted the stark contrast between their rapid development process and the conventional systems that stifle innovation.
During rigorous testing phases, her team conducted user research and app critiques in real-time, ensuring they were building tech that genuinely addressed users’ needs.
The Road Ahead for ERP X
As ERP X gears up with trial cameras now deployed in Bras Basah, the project remains a collaboration between OGP and the Land Transport Authority (LTA), aiming to refine how technology can enhance traffic management.
Though ERP X will not replace ERP 2.0 in the immediate future, its development provides a fresh perspective on what tech can accomplish: agile, user-centered solutions that challenge the status quo.
Breaking Barriers in Government Innovation
As OGP continues to explore this technology across the government, the team emphasizes that their mission is not to replace existing systems but to expand possibilities and embrace innovative solutions. Christabel, who is now pursuing her master's in Contemporary Art, reflects on the creativity inherent in government work, urging designers to take charge and advocate for change.
Looking Forward: What's Next?
Though ERP X is still a work in progress—with ongoing refinements and user feedback driving its evolution—the excitement within the OGP team is palpable. By championing innovative approaches, they are paving the way for a smarter, more responsive public transport system that aligns better with users' needs.
As Singapore's technological landscape continues to evolve, projects like ERP X highlight the limitless potential of thinking outside the conventional frameworks. The future of road pricing could well be in the palms of our hands, waiting just a click away.