Paying for roadside parking in S'pore in future could be automatic

Paying for roadside parking in Singapore could be an automatic process in the future.

Sensors in the road

A trial is in the works to embed sensors in the road that can detect a parked car in a roadside parking space, The Straits Times reported.

The sensors can communicate with the on-board unit (OBU) in vehicles via Bluetooth technology.

Vehicles in Singapore are in the process of being fitted with the new OBU, which should see all of them fitted with a unit by 2026.

Uses Bluetooth communications

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) called a tender on May 6 for proposals to study the effectiveness of this system.

The study is to find out the feasibility of using Bluetooth communications to facilitate automated payment for the convenience of motorists, URA told ST.

Testing to be conducted

Reliability testing will be conducted at Changi Beach Car Park 5 from October 2025 to July 2026.

An operational pilot will also be carried out at Chinatown, Keong Saik, and Bukit Timah car parks from August 2026 to July 2027.

URA said the three car park locations were chosen as sensors can be placed there and still have the car parks open to motorists.

The tender closes at 4pm on Aug. 21.

The contract will be awarded by October 2025.

No automated payments will be triggered in the study though, ST reported.

Another separate study by LTA

This URA study is separate from what the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to exploring, which will require motorists to use the OBU’s touchscreen display to start the parking session.

The parking session ends automatically when the vehicle leaves the parking space.

LTA said it will “work with URA" to review the study's outcome and assess any future deployment plans.

Top photo via Google Maps