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From today, 1 August 2005, the following
changes will take place: |
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- ERP will be implemented for the northbound CTE from
6.00pm to 8.00pm on weekdays, except public holidays. |
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- A new ERP gantry will be in operation along the
northbound CTE, between the PIE and Braddell Road. |
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DO WE NEED EVENING ERP ON THE CTE? |
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This is a frequently asked question since
LTA announced plans to extend Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) to the
northbound Central Expressway (CTE) on weekday evenings from 1 August
2005. |
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To answer this and other questions, Journeys
speaks to Dr Chin Kian Keong, LTA¡¯s Chief Engineer for Transportation. |
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Q: Why is there a need to introduce
evening ERP on the northbound CTE? |
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A:
Traffic condition on the northbound CTE in the evenings has been
deteriorating since 2000. The proposal for introducing ERP was already
mooted at that time, and again in 2002. |
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However, we decided to provide an additional
traffic lane by using the shoulder lane on the stretch of the northbound
CTE between the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) and Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1
instead. |
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Traffic condition improved but this did not
last long. Six months later, congestion returned and has continued to
persist especially during the evening peak hours. The average travel
speed between 6.00pm to 8.00pm is below 40 km/h, with stop-start
traffic. This has been frustrating for many motorists, and from an
engineering perspective, is also sub-optimal because traffic flow is
lower than what the expressway can actually carry. |
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The option of further widening this
stretch of the CTE is not possible as the additional land that is
needed is not available. As such, we need to introduce ERP during
the most congested period, from 6.00pm to 8.00pm on weekdays, to
regulate traffic and manage the congestion there so that traffic
flow can be improved. |
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Q: Wouldn¡¯t evening ERP on the CTE
contradict the Government's pro-family policies? |
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A: I
think otherwise. If I¡¯m caught in stop-start traffic on my journey
home to be part of a special family event, be it a birthday
celebration or simply to watch a favourite TV programme with the
children, I will be most frustrated and agitated. I will gladly
welcome an ERP-priced road to allow me to reach home faster on these
special days. On other days, there is the choice of not using the
ERP-priced roads. There is also the alternative of taking public
transport. |
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Q: What are the alternatives
available for motorists using the CTE? |
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A:
Motorists can switch to public transport, car pool, change their
time of travel or take an alternative route. For example, instead of
the CTE, they may want to use Thomson Road, Upper Thomson Road,
Marymount Road, Serangoon Road and Upper Serangoon Road. |
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More..... |
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Source:
Land & Transport Authority
Newsletter JOURNEYS July 2005 Page 4 |
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Evening ERP on northbound CTE from today
