President Benigno Aquino 3rd watches images on a huge screen during the launch on Wednesday of the Traffic Signalization System and Command Control Center of the Metro Manila Development Authority.  Malacañang Photo
President Benigno Aquino 3rd watches images on a huge screen during the launch on Wednesday of the Traffic Signalization System and Command Control Center of the Metro Manila Development Authority.
Malacañang Photo

President Benigno Aquino 3rd unveiled on Thursday the state-of-the-art traffic signalization system (TSS) which is expected to greatly improve traffic management in Metro Manila.

Aquino said the new system costs P296 million, which came from the savings of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

He said the system, being implemented by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), is the initial phase of the government’s efforts to improve traffic situation in the metropolis.

“We can now respond faster in any road situations and problems,” said Aquino his speech.

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He asked motorists to strictly observe traffic rules and regulations.

“We should not wait for us to be caught by authorities and camera before we obey traffic rules,” he said.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the TSS can manage 85 priority intersections and 25 traffic control/video surveillance locations around Metro Manila using a new software system.

“In the future, this new system will be able to manage up to 500 intersections. TSS aims to upgrade, automate, and optimize the management traffic engineering installations around Metro Manila,” Tolentino said.

He said some of the new traffic lights, especially those at strategic intersections, will use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and fitted with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

These will then be hooked up to a monitoring center with wide-screen monitors at the MMDA’s Metrobase headquarters in Makati City.

Tolentino said the new intelligent real-time traffic control system will help improve the safety of pedestrians, commuters, and vehicles through well-coordinated signal routes resulting to faster travel time and reduction of traffic congestion.

“It can analyze and consolidate information for faster mobility, improved road safety, optimized vehicle flow and pedestrian movement, and reduced travel times,” he said.

The project is a partnership of MMDA and the Spain-based technology firm Indra in a consortium with Meralco Industrial Engineering Services Corp. (MIESCOR).

Indra Project Manager Carl Decloedt said the TSS improves on the old traffic management network.