Some people relocating ERP 2.0 units on motorcycles

LTA says repositioning of the on-board unit is allowed if done by authorised workshop

- Lee Nian Tjoe

Some owners of new motorcycles have been repositioning their new ERP on-board units to reduce what they described as a distracting glare from the display, or to make it easier for the units to be detected by sensors at carpark gantries.

Others have chosen to do so out of personal preference, such as to accommodate other gadgets such as mobile phone holders.

The repositioning of the onboard unit (OBU) is allowed if it is done by an authorised workshop, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) told The Sunday Times.

The OBU for motorcycles has a one-piece design that incorporates a small touchscreen and a processing unit. It is part of a nationwide transition to the satellite-based Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) 2.0 system.

New motorcycles registered from mid-February have come prefitted with the OBU.

Installation of the OBUS started for existing motorcycles in June, replacing the in-vehicle units (IUS), the OBU's predecessor.

In response to queries from ST, a spokesperson for the LTA said the OBU is typically installed on a motorbike's left handlebar using the mirror mount provided, and workshops are allowed to decide on a suitable alternative if this is not possible.

"If preferred, motorcyclists may also customise their mounts at their own cost, after consulting an LTA authorised workshop on the requirements," the spokesperson added.

The installation of the modified mounts should be done only by authorised workshops.

Factors that the workshops consider include the height and angle of the OBU to ensure "safety and optimal communication with the satellite and gantries", said the LTA.

The unit must also be at least Im from the ground and be connected to a continuous power source, similar to the outgoing IU.