Task 1
Once we have read through the task sheet and discussed as a class, complete the table below to check your understanding.
| What is the Key Inquiry Question you are investigating? | Whether Brisbane should adopt the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system to manage her urban traffic. |
| There are 2 locations being studied as case studies for this task. What are they? | Singapore and Brisbane |
| What is the main issue being investigated in the task?PollutionTrafficHousing | b. Traffic |
| What is the strategy called that you are specifically investigating to manage the issue? | Electronic Road Pricing System |
| Your report will have sections labelled 1.0, 2.0 etc. True or false? | True |
| What key skill will you need to need to do after your research, starting with ‘E’? There are two parts to this section of the task. What are they and what will you need to do for each? | Evaluation Decision making matrix; Involves making a decision whether Brisbane should adopt the Electronic Road Pricing system.Justification paragraph; This part will involve approval of the decision made in the decision-making matrix above. |
| How many criteria will you be assessed against? | Four (4) |
Task 2
There will be several key check points throughout your task. Use the lesson planner to help you determine what is being monitored at each check point.
| Week | MONDAY | TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY/FRIDAY |
| 4 | Handout of task and breakdown | ||
| 5 | 1.0 Background – research | 1.0 Background – writing | 3.0 Research Findings – research |
| 6 | 3.0 Research (continued) General check in – research completed | 3.1 Paragraph – teacher example and drafting | 3.1 Paragraph – complete Checkpoint #1 – teacher feedback |
| 7 | 3.1 Paragraph – editing3.2 Paragraph – teacher example and drafting | 3.2 Paragraph – complete Checkpoint #2 – peer feedback | 3.2 Paragraph – editing4.1 Decision-making matrix |
| 8 | 4.2 Justification response Checkpoint #3 – teacher feedback | 4.1 and 4.2 – editing2.0 Research Methodology | 5.0 Reference List Final editing **Task Due Friday midday** |
| Week and day | What I am receiving feedback on | |
| Checkpoint #1 | 1.0 Paragraph and 3.1 Paragraph | |
| Checkpoint #2 | 3.2 Paragraph | |
| Checkpoint #3 | 4.1 Decision making matrix and 4.2 Justification |
1.0 Introduction
This task focuses on the management of traffic congestion in two key case studies: Singapore and Brisbane. Your introduction paragraph will provide information explaining:
What are Brisbane’s current traffic congestion issues, and what is currently being done to address this?
How has Singapore managed traffic congestion using Electronic Road Pricing (ERP)?
Step 1: Background research
| What are Brisbane’s current traffic congestion issues, and what is currently being done to address this? Note: you need to find and copy a photograph of Brisbane’s traffic congestion and refer to it as Figure 1. | Notes: Brisbane infrastructure is being burdened by the ever-growing traffic resulting from growth of areas in close proximity to the city. To address this congestion challenge, Brisbane has resorted to providing extra capacity of infrastructural projects. | References: Urban Transport Crowding and Congestion – Brisbane, Gold Coast & Sunshine Coast |
| How has Singapore managed traffic congestion through the ERP system? | Notes: Singapore has put up various systems to manage congestion ranging from the original Area License System (ALS) to the current Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) System. The ERP system is card based and the card is inserted into each cars On-Board Unit. This card is permanently fixed on the car save for emergency automobiles. When a driver passes through an ERP gantry, the cash balance left on the card is displayed for the driver. All drivers with the system are able to view the live variable pricing depending on the location, time of the day, type of vehicle and the prevailing traffic conditions. | References: PTC Consulting website |
Step 2: Response
Write your 1.0 Introduction paragraph below (75 words):
1.0 Checklist:
Written in full, clear sentences?
Explains the current traffic issues in Brisbane?
Includes an image of Brisbane’s traffic congestion and referred to as Figure 1?
Outlines some of the strategies Brisbane is implementing to address traffic issues?
Explains the ‘traffic charging system’?
Is no more than 75 words?
The central areas and suburbs in close proximity with Brisbane city has been undergoing substantial growth. This growth has put a lot of pressure on the infrastructural developments in the city such as roads. The existing road network has thus deteriorated under this pressure to satisfy the commuter needs of the population in and around Brisbane. The figure below is an illustration of the traffic congestion situation in Brisbane and the surrounding areas.
Figure 1: Brisbane’s traffic congestion.
To address this traffic challenge, Brisbane authorities have resorted to expanding and providing more transportation arteries to ease the pressure and reduce the deterioration rate on the existing infrastructure.
A method of controlling traffic called the traffic charging system involves having road users pay to use the roads depending on various factors such as vehicle type, time of the day and the location.
Teacher Feedback:
2.0 Research Methodology
Step 1: Types of Research
Tick the types of sources you used in your 3.0 Research.
Government website √
News website √
General website √
Journal article √
Magazine article
Textbook
Interview
Map √
Photograph
Graph
Table
Infographic
Satellite image
Survey research
Step 2: Challenges of Research
Consider what you found difficult when researching and how you overcame this.
| Difficulty | How I overcame this |
| Many conflicting information | I chose the most recent and the most relatable in comparison with the others. |
| Lack of current updated data | I took the most recent data. |
| Lack of authenticity of the data | I took data from reputable internet sources. |
3.0 Research Findings
Step 1: Research
Complete your research in the table below. Remember to correctly reference your sources!
Question 1: How does the ERP help Singapore’s people? (social and economic impacts)
| Source | APA Reference Details | Research | Data Analysis |
| Source 1 | Quirapas, M. A. J. R., Aboagye-Gyan, R., & Gul, M. F. (2018). Sources, drivers and barriers of innovation in Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing. Asian Journal of Public Affairs, 11(1), e3. | Sources, Drivers and Barriers of Innovation in Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing | Subject Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing System.Impression ERP can be viewed as an innovation stepping stone for future transport challenges.Analysis ERP is more than a traffic curbing mechanism.Implications ERP system has diverse impacts in the socio-economic lives of the people of Singapore.SourceGoogle Scholar |
| Source 2 | Agarwal, S., & Koo, K. M. (2016). Impact of electronic road pricing (ERP) changes on transport modal choice. Regional Science and Urban Economics, 60, 1-11. | Impact of electronic road pricing (ERP) changes on transport modal choice | Subject Electronic Road Pricing System Influence on modal choiceImpression The ERP system has the ability to influence the mode of travel of commuters.Analysis The ERP discourages private means of travel and encourages the use of public transport. The photo below shows an ERP gantry. |
| Source 3 | Agarwal, S., Koo, K. M., & Sing, T. F. (2015). Impact of electronic road pricing on real estate prices in Singapore. Journal of Urban Economics, 90, 50-59. | Impact of electronic road pricing on real estate prices in Singapore | Subject Influence of ERP system on the real estate industry.Impression An increase in ERP charges causes a significant decrease in the prices of real estate spaces.Analysis Real estate prices are lowered to attract people who must use the toll roads to access the real estate developments.Implications More people are likely to occupy these spaces depending on the level of the downward spiral on their costs.Source Google Scholar |
Question 2: How does the ERP help Singapore’s environment? (environmental impacts)
| Source | APA Reference Details | Research | Data Analysis |
| Source 4 | Chang, T. H., Tseng, J. S., Hsieh, T. H., Hsu, Y. T., & Lu, Y. C. (2018). Green transportation implementation through distance-based road pricing. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 111, 53-64. | Green transportation implementation through distance-based road pricing | SubjectRoad pricing impacting green transportation Impression The need for a green safety indicator for priced road networks.Analysis Pricing roads, if conducted by indicators, reduces the number of vehicles on the roads thereby promoting green environment and earning revenue at the same time.This is illustrated in the graph below. |
| Source 5 | Gibson, M., & Carnovale, M. (2015). The effects of road pricing on driver behavior and air pollution. Journal of Urban Economics, 89, 62-73. | The effects of road pricing on driver behavior and air pollution | Subject Road tolling, driver behaviour and air pollutionImpression Paid up roads can influence the behaviour of the driver and air pollution.Analysis Drivers will tend to be more cautious in using road that they pay for as compared to toll-free roads resulting in welfare gains and reduction of air pollution mostly occasioned by driver behaviours.Implications Tolled roads significantly aligns driver behaviour and consequently reduces air pollution.Source Google Scholar |
| Source 6 | Cavallaro, F., Giaretta, F., & Nocera, S. (2018). The potential of road pricing schemes to reduce carbon emissions. Transport Policy, 67, 85-92. | The potential of road pricing schemes to reduce carbon emissions | Subject Road pricing and carbon emissionImpressionPriced roads have the ability to reduce carbon emissions.Analysis If all motorists have to pay to use a certain road, then it is most likely that they will find this additional cost expensive and resort to a cheaper way which means riding in public transport vehicles. The number of vehicles in the roads reduces, effectively lowering the quantity of carbon emissions.The figure below indicates the significant effect vehicles have on the climate. |
Research Checklist:
Specific information and data has been collected to answer each question?
A range of sources, which are reliable and useful, have been used?
Data includes written and visual examples (e.g. graphs, tables, infographics, maps)
Data has been analysed?
3.1 Impact on people
Your 3.1 Paragraph is in response to the following question: How does the ERP help Singapore’s people?
Step 1: Planning
Refer to your research for this question and consider:
| To what extent does the strategy help Singapore’s people? (little/somewhat/greatly) | Greatly |
| Why do you think this? (dot point ideas which address social and economic impacts) | Reduced traffic congestionLow levels of pollutionCut on time wastageEnhance productivity |
| What evidence from your research do you have to support this decision? (Choose specific evidence from your research – 1 for social impacts and 1 for economic impacts. Note: one piece of evidence should be written e.g. quote and the other piece of evidence should be visual e.g. table/graph and referred to as Figure 2). | -Travel modal choice for commuters affected. |
Step 2: Response
Write your 3.1 Paragraph response below (100 words):
The ERP system has contributed to the growth of the people of Singapore.
Social issues such as traffic congestion, an increase in the number of cars and land scarcity have been addressed by ERP. PTC Consulting website notes that this system has reduced traffic jams, discouraged car ownership and promoted effective use of the scarce land area available for road.
Economic issues such as reduced productivity and fuel consumption levels have been addressed by ERP. Time wasting in traffic and cars consuming more fuel in traffic is a thing of the past.
The ERP system is a win for Singapore.
3.1 Paragraph checklist:
Topic sentence clearly answers the question?
Explanation of social impacts, with reference to specific evidence?
Explanation of economic impacts, with reference to specific evidence?
Two sources of research used – 1 written, 1 visual?
Referencing of sources correct – written using APA in-text referencing (author, date), visual using Figure 2?
Concluding sentence tying back to the overall question?
Communication clear and no errors in spelling or punctuation?
No more than 100 words?
Teacher feedback:
3.2 Impact on the environment
Your 3.2 Paragraph is in response to the following question: How does the ERP help Singapore’s environment?
Step 1: Planning
Refer to your research for this question and consider:
| To what extent does the strategy help Singapore’s environment? (little/somewhat/greatly) | Greatly |
| Why do you think this? (dot point ideas which address environmental impacts) | Green transportationAir pollutionCarbon emission |
| What evidence from your research do you have to support this decision? (Choose specific evidence from your research. Note: one piece of evidence should be written e.g. statistic and the other piece of evidence should be visual e.g. map and referred to as Figure 3). | Air pollution such as vehicle hoots and gas emissions are reduced since ERP promotes public transport. |
Step 2: Response
Write your 3.2 Paragraph response below (100 words):
The Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system brings positive impacts towards the realization of a pollution-free Singapore. Air pollution and carbon emissions from otherwise a huge number of vehicles is reduced while green transportation is promoted.
The PTS Consulting website indicates that with ERP system in conjunction with other measures such as the Vehicle Quota System (VQS) makes owning a vehicle expensive hence less vehicles on the roads, less air pollution, less carbon emissions and a more greener transportation system. This makes most commuters to prefer a more sustainably managed public transport system. Overall, the ERP benefits the Singapore environment.
3.2 Paragraph checklist:
Topic sentence clearly answers the question?
Explanation of environmental impacts, with reference to specific evidence?
Two sources of research used – 1 written, 1 visual?
Referencing of sources correct – written using APA in-text referencing (author, date), visual using Figure 3?
Concluding sentence tying back to the overall question?
Communication clear and no errors in spelling or punctuation?
No more than 100 words?
Teacher feedback:
4.0 Evaluation
Key Inquiry Question: Should Brisbane adopt a similar system to the ERP for the Central Business District as a method of urban traffic management?
Questions to consider:
- Will the system help Brisbane’s people? (social and economic impacts)
- Will the system help Brisbane’s environment? (environmental impacts)
Let’s review – what is the context for Singapore and Brisbane? Are they similar or different?
| Singapore | Brisbane | |
| What is the context of their traffic congestion – what were their original issues? | The original issue in Singapore is the scarcity of land space to put up more road networks and the increasing urge of car ownership among the people of Singapore. | The original issue in Brisbane is the growing population of the city suburbs and the surrounding areas leading to traffic crowding. |
| What is being done currently to address the traffic issues? | To manage traffic and vehicle ownership, Singapore has adopted the famed Electronic Road Pricing System and the Vehicle Quota System. | Brisbane previously resorted to expanding their infrastructural developments to cater for the growing population. |
| What impact is this having? Is the issue still present? | The EPR and VQS have had a great impact in the transportation system in Singapore, overshadowing the limited land resources for road development. | Expansion of infrastructure is proving to be untenable in Brisbane as the population continues to expand more rapidly than the rate at which infrastructure projects can be developed. Brisbane still experiences crowding in some areas, though it is expected that the congestion will spiral to the currently unaffected locations. |
4.1 Decision-making Matrix
Step 1: Comparing proposals
| Proposal 1: Brisbane adopts the ERP | Proposal 2: Brisbane does not adopt the ERP and continues current traffic management | |
| Brisbane’s peopleSocially – who will benefit from the proposal? Who will not benefit?Economically – what are the short and long term costs of the proposal? Who pays for these costs? | Brisbane resident who use public transport will benefit and those who commute through their private vehicle swill not benefit. According to the PTC Consulting website, the short-term economic costs is increased charges and travel expenditure on the private vehicle owners. The long-term cost of the proposal is increased revenue collection and a generally increased productivity of the work force since time wasted on traffic will have been reduced.Private vehicle owners will be responsible for these costs. | The population growth of the suburbs and surrounding areas will grow leading to more congestion. Those who use public transport will be at a loss.Private vehicle owners will, to some extent benefit since they can use multiple roots to get to their destination depending on the traffic conditions. The short-term economic costs is that this arrangement is convenient for private car owners. The long-term consequences involved a stalled transport system. This is according to Brisbane’s 2019 Audit findings.A stalled transport system will be the responsibility of the Brisbane authorities. |
| Brisbane’s environmentHow will the proposal minimise the environmental impacts of this issue for the future? | Adoption of the ERP system will reduce air pollution, carbon emissions and promote green transportation in Brisbane.This will make a more sustainable transport network. | If Brisbane continues with its infrastructural expansion as documented in Urban Transport Crowding and Congestion – Brisbane, Gold Coast & Sunshine Coast, the environment will be adversely degraded since more people will be buying cars causing more pollution and crowding. |
4.1 Decision-making matrix checklist:
Ideas are written in dot points BUT include specific ideas and examples?
Ideas are a mixture of research and prior knowledge?
Specific research is referred to as evidence?
Ideas are relevant for the criteria and proposal (in the right boxes)?
Proposals are evaluated separately (avoid just writing opposites of the other proposal)?
Teacher feedback:
Step 2: Decision making
Consider each proposal and weigh up the positives/negatives – which do you think is the better proposal? Highlight the proposal you have chosen.
Consider your key reasons for why this proposal is better:
| For Brisbane’s people:SociallyEconomically | Socially, both private car owners and non-car owners will feel that their interest has been taken into consideration.Economically, the roads leading to the city centre will should have ERP will generate revenue, reduce pollution and increase workforce productivity in the long term. |
| For Brisbane’s environment:Environmentally | Revitalization of the train service and have select roads for the ERP system will reduce carbon emissions and consequently pollution levels in the city centre and the surrounding growing areas. |
4.2 Justification
Justification
Write your justification paragraph below (200-300 words):
| Structure of paragraph | My Justification |
| Topic sentence Introduce which proposal was selected (1 sentence). Social impactsWhat impact do you predict it will have for Brisbane? (1 sentence)Justify why you think this e.g. comparison to Singapore (1 sentence) Economic impactsWhat impact do you predict it will have for Brisbane? (1 sentence)Justify why you think this e.g. comparison to Singapore (1 sentence) Environmental impactsWhat impact do you predict it will have for Brisbane? (1 sentence)Justify why you think this e.g. comparison to Singapore (1 sentence) Other proposalExplain why you think the other proposal will not be as effective as yours (1-2 sentences). Concluding sentenceTie back to why your proposal overall is the best option. | Brisbane adopts the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system. Implementation of the ERP system will lead to more integration of the community through car- pooling and use of public transport. As in Singapore, people will be discouraged to use private vehicles since the additional costs will be high. The Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system will increase revenue through the fees charged on vehicles using the particular tolled roads. As in Singapore, using the ERP roads will attract a fee thereby realizing revenue. Brisbane will reduce the level of air pollution, carbon emission, becoming more ‘greener’. As in Singapore, the number of vehicles using the tolled roads will reduce significantly lowering air pollution and carbon emissions of Brisbane. Brisbane failing to adopt the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system will eventually lead to a stalled public transport system since it is untenable to expand road network at the same frequency with which the population grows. Even though not comprehensive, implementing the ERP System will provide Brisbane with a more sustainable transport system for the rapid growing population of Brisbane suburbs and the surrounding areas. It is better for Brisbane to partly implement the ERP system especially for traffic entering into the city centre and those in Centenary highway and Pacific Motorway, southbound for roads north of the Brisbane River and northbound for roads south of the Brisbane River. The rail transport being under-utilised, should be revitalized to complement the road network system. |
4.2 Justification checklist:
Correct structure used?
Justification of chosen proposal clear?
Comparison of other proposal valid?
Communication is clear and no errors in spelling or punctuation?
No more than 300 words?
Teacher feedback:
5.0 Reference List
Agarwal, S., & Koo, K. M. (2016). Impact of electronic road pricing (ERP) changes on transport modal choice. Regional Science and Urban Economics, 60, 1-11.
Agarwal, S., Koo, K. M., & Sing, T. F. (2015). Impact of electronic road pricing on real estate prices in Singapore. Journal of Urban Economics, 90, 50-59.
Cavallaro, F., Giaretta, F., & Nocera, S. (2018). The potential of road pricing schemes to reduce carbon emissions. Transport Policy, 67, 85-92.
Chang, T. H., Tseng, J. S., Hsieh, T. H., Hsu, Y. T., & Lu, Y. C. (2018). Green transportation implementation through distance-based road pricing. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 111, 53-64.
Gibson, M., & Carnovale, M. (2015). The effects of road pricing on driver behavior and air pollution. Journal of Urban Economics, 89, 62-73.
Quirapas, M. A. J. R., Aboagye-Gyan, R., & Gul, M. F. (2018). Sources, drivers and barriers of innovation in Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing. Asian Journal of Public Affairs, 11(1), e3.
