Transport and traffic management schemes and energy saving in Singapore

Abstract

The energy savings arising from transport and traffic management schemes in Singapore are estimated. These schemes are, respectively, the Additional Registration Fee (ARF) on passenger cars and the Area Traffic Control (ATC) in the central business zone. The ARF was introduced in 1972 and requires a new car owner to pay a fee which is determined by a percentage of the open market value for the car. The rate has been raised periodically as a means of curbing the growth in car population. Had it remained at the 1974 level, the car population and the total road-transport energy-use in 1985 would have been, respectively, one quarter and 7 to 8% higher than the actual levels recorded. The implementation of the ATC in 1981 was aimed primarily at improving traffic flow and shortening journey time. It has led to annual savings equivalent to about 1% of the total road transport energy use. The scheme is also economically justifiable on the ground of fuel savings. © 1988.