SEQ on ALS

The SEQ was not very well done because most of you failed to explain your factors very well. Provided below are the LORMS for the SEQ on ALS. Please look through it and identify the explanations, and see how those explanations actually do explain rather than reiterate your point.

To what extent has the Area Licensing Scheme (ALS) been successful in managing traffic flow in Singapore?

L1	Writes about Area Licensing Scheme but without Focus/reference to the question. Award 1 mark for writing in general about the ALS without answering the question. Award 1 additional mark for further details provided. E.g. The ALS made congestion outside the CBD worse as many motorist decided to take passengers just to avoid paying ERP.	[1 – 2]
L2	Answers the question by describing given factor or/ and Identifies/Describes other factor(s). Award 2 marks for describing the given/other factor Award 1 additional marks for further details provided or 1 other factor identified, up to 2 marks for both elements E.g. The ALS was designed to manage traffic flow by charging motorists a fee for using certain roads at certain times(usually peak hour) of the day. Most of these roads were located in the city areas. These roads were bounded within areas designated as Restricted Zones. E.g. In 1988, the Electronic Road Pricing(ERP) system replaced the ALS as there was room for improvement. As technology improved, there were more efficient ways of monitoring and regulating traffic made available. The use of up to date technology would enable the transport system to stay relevant with the times. E.g. The Vehicle Quota System(VQS) is a system imposed by the LTA to regulate the number of cars in Singapore. The LTA determines the number of new vehicles allowed for registration. It was decided that one of the ways to administer the VQS was through the COE system. Under the system, a specific number of cars are issued based on the quota set by LTA. The factors affecting the number of vehicles included the number of vehicles which were de-registered and the state of the economy. In this way, there is a limit of new cars that can be purchased. Car buyers must first bid for the COE before they can purchase a car.	[2 – 4]
L3	Explains given factor or 1 other factor(s). Award 5 marks for a weakly explained factor. Award 6 marks for a well-explained factor detailing impact. E.g. The ALS was designed to manage traffic flow by charging motorists a fee for using certain roads at certain times(usually peak hour) of the day. Most of these roads were located in the city areas. These roads were bounded within areas designated as Restricted Zones. The Area Licensing Scheme was effective in managing traffic flow because when it was introduced, the number of cars entering the CBD dropped from 32,500 to 7,700 vehicles. This could be due to many motorists being deterred from entering the CBD due to its cost of entry. It could also be those motorists who did not really need to be in the CBD now decided not to enter the area. The ALS was supplemented by the Park and Ride Scheme where motorists were encouraged to park their vehicles in car parks located just outside the CBD boundary and entered the CBD via public transport. This would ensure that fewer cars would enter the CBD. E.g. In 1988, the Electronic Road Pricing(ERP) system replaced the ALS as there was room for improvement. As technology improved, there were more efficient ways of monitoring and regulating traffic made available. The use of up to date technology would enable the transport system to stay relevant with the times. The ERP helped reduce traffic flow because it extended the ‘reach’ of the ALS by erecting gantries on roads and highways(e.g. PIE) outside the CBD which experienced heavy traffic. Thus the ERP was able to manage traffic flow more effectively than the ALS because it covered more traffic jam-prone areas. E.g. The Vehicle Quota System(VQS) is a system imposed by the LTA to regulate the number of cars in Singapore. The LTA determines the number of new vehicles allowed for registration. It was decided that one of the ways to administer the VQS was through the COE system. Under the system, a specific number of cars are issued based on the quota set by LTA. The factors affecting the number of vehicles included the number of vehicles which were de-registered and the state of the economy. In this way, there is a limit of new cars that can be purchased. Car buyers must first bid for the COE before they can purchase a car. Traffic flow is managed because the VQS/COE affects the number of cars on the road. With fewer cars on the road, there will be a lowered incidence of traffic jams. This happens because the VQS restricts car ownership by controlling supply and hence making it more expensive. Consequently, only motorists who really need to use cars or can afford it will purchase cars.	[ 5 – 6 ]
L4	Explains given factor and identifies/describes other factors. Award 7 marks for explanation of given factor and identification of other factor(s). E.g. L3+ There are also alternative factors that can manage traffic flow such as the ERP and the VQS.	7
L5	Both Aspects of L3. Award 8 marks for explanation of given factor and 1 other factor. Award 9 marks for explanation of given factor and 2 other factors explained and up to 10 marks for detailed explanation of ALL three factors.	[8 – 10]

For those of you who are interested in concluding the paragraph properly (this is required of you in O levels, the LORMS for conclusion are as below:

L6

L5+ Discusses the relative importance of the different factors (not tested for Term 1) Award 11 marks for weighing relative importance of given factor with one other factor. Award 12 marks for weighing relative importance of given factor with two other factors. E.g. The VQS is the most successful way in managing traffic flow because it controls the supply of cars in Singapore. The other factors (ALS/ERP) merely target car usage. Controlling car usage is less effective because than restricting car supply because many motorists might be able to pay the ERP charges. This reduces the effectiveness of such systems in controlling traffic flow. Furthermore, traffic jams could occur in areas not marked by the ALS/ERP. On the other hand, if the COE is priced high, then it would deter people from buying a car altogether and these people might switch to public transport, hence lading to a reduction in traffic flow.

[11-12]