of these are my thoughts of having more erp gantries

There are many groups of motorist having different opinion on the topic of the new Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries that will be setup come 1st November 2007.

Should we have more gantries? Will the new gantries help ease traffic congestion?

I fall into the category of those who feel that having more gantries does not help in reducing the traffic congestion. I feel it will only help in the initial stages. Drivers will avoid those roads initially but after a while, some drivers will still end up reverting to using those 'bottleneck' roads.

While I do understand that the authorities are trying very hard to advocate the public to use private transport and for motorist to use alternative roads. But my mindset and driving habit are difficult to change. My driving habit is to spend less time on the road even it means having to spend more money.

I've worked out some figures below (hope my analysis is correct) to explain what I mean. The figures are based on 2 cases mentioned in the papers today. For both cases, I may continue to use the ECP and BKE after the ERP gantries are up. Just let those ERP gantries suck my money.


Assuming,
the figures computed by streetdirectory.com are correct.
fuel consumption of car = 12km per litre
cost of fuel (95) = $1.766 per litre (prices from petrolwatch.com.sg)

Case 1: Travelling from CPF Building to Parkway Parade




1. Before the new gantries come into effect

Using ECP
Total distance = 9.73 km
Travel time = 5 mins
Cost = (9.73 km / 12 km per litre) x $1.766 per litre = $1.43

Using alternative roads
Total distance = 12.42 km
Travel time = 15 mins
Cost = (12.42 km / 12 km per litre) x $1.766 per litre = $1.83

2. After the new gantries come into effect

Using ECP
Additional ERP charges = $0.50
Cost = $1.43 + $0.50 = $1.93

3. Difference in cost using ECP with new gantry and alternative roads = $1.93 - $1.83 = $0.10 (for 1 year, 0.10 x 31 days x 12 months = $37.20)


Case 2: Travelling from Cashew Hill to CPF Building




1. Before the new gantries come into effect

Using the BKE
Total distance = 17.11 km
Travel time = 14 mins (between 8.05am to 8.30am)
Passing ERP Gantry 37 ($0.50) and ERP Gantry 24 ($2.00)
Cost = [(17.11 km / 12 km per litre) x $1.766 per litre] + $0.50 + $2.00 = $5.02

Using alternative roads
Total distance = 23.08 km
Travel time = 28 mins (between 8.05am to 8.30am)
Passing ERP Gantry 5 ($2.00)
Cost = [(23.08 km / 12 km per litre) x $1.766 per litre] + $2.00 = $5.40

2. After the new gantries come into effect

Using the BKE
Additional ERP charges = $1.00
Cost = $5.02 + $1.00 = $6.02

3. Difference in cost using BKE with new gantry and alternative roads = $6.02 - $5.40 = $0.62 (for 1 year, 0.62x 31 days x 12 months = $230.64)

These are just my views. Many may disagree.