SINGAPORE: The one- part ERP 2.0 on- table product ( OBU) used for motorcycles cannot be used for cars, as the “greenhouse result” within a vehicle can make it too hot for such a device to be placed on the dashboard.  ,
Chee Hong Tat, the minister for transport, explained the rationale behind cars that require a three-piece OBU on Wednesday ( May 8 ) in parliament. Drivers have been astonished by the device’s numerous components and location within the car due to its numerous problems.
In particular, Mr. Chee was responding to a problem from PAP-Sembawang Member of Parliament Lim Wee Kiak, who had questioned why a one-piece OBU could not be used for both motorcycles and trucks.
According to Mr. Chee,” If you think about the science of it, crystal in an enclosed area is like a greenhouse,” it will make the inside of a car in an enclosed space warmer.  ,
He said tests had shown it was “quite evident” that both footwells- drivers and rider - , experienced , substantially lower temperatures than that of the screen on a sunny morning.  ,
” The ambient temperature: If it’s about 35 degrees- for the motorcycle, ( it ) is pretty much that because it’s not an enclosed space”, said Mr Chee.  ,
For the footwell of a vehicle, he added, conditions can go up to 38 to 39 degree Celsius and on the screen, as great as , 50 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit.
” With this kind of heat, if you were to place a solitary- part OBU, which means the transmitter, the display, and the processing unit all on the dashboard, there is a risk that it could burn, and then it will affect the functionality of this unit”, he said.  ,
The OBU’s design could have a cooling fan, but this would make the system very bulky.  ,
” I do n’t believe that drivers will want a very large, bulky one-piece unit on their dashboard.” It would not be the right design”, he said.  ,
” NECESSARY TRADE- OFF”
Dr. Lim’s inquiry into the installation of the processing unit at the driver’s footwell has also been answered by Mr. Chee, who stated last week that it was an option.  ,
The processing unit holds payment cards, also known as CEPAS cards, such as the NETS FlashPay card, NETS Motoring Card and EZ- Link Motoring Card, which drivers use to pay for electronic road pricing , or parking charges.
Dr. Lim cited an a , CNA article that raised concerns that installing the processing unit at the driver’s footwell might come with its own set of problems.  ,
Referring to the article, Mr Chee agreed with the assessment of the mechanics.
” It’s not so straightforward for all vehicle makes and models, because depending on the design and the layout and specifications of different vehicles, the preferred location, the ideal location ( of the processing unit ) may vary from vehicle to vehicle”, he said.  ,