MMDA to put microchips on buses to improve traffic flow

**architect** · December 3rd, 2007 02:30 PM

continuation...

With all that money poured into the project, what the authorities find it unacceptable is that SCATS is not working.
MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando describes it as obsolete. He says the project has taken such a long time to complete that Manila’s requirements have changed since SMART/SCATS was first discussed.
“There must be a better system now. The computer programs and communication lines being used have problems. I believe the connection requirements of the system to the commu*nication lines is not compatible with the old lines,” Fernando pointed out. “The interfacing was not very good,”
But Galano insisted that SCATS could not have become obsolete in such a short period, noting that it is one of the widely used systems in Asia, Europe and the United States.
He said SCATS is actually the latest technology for traffic management.
“The system has always been upgraded. Almost every year or more often, AWA Ltd. Has been improving the system because it has the support of the Australian government. They have research and development funds to further improve the system,” Galano explains.
An MMDA engineer tells us up to four problem reports out of 10 that TEC receives daily involve communication problems.
Galano acknowledges that SMART suffered communication line glitches in the early stages of implementation.
There was “bad interfacing” after TEC converted communication lines from digital to analog transmission when it switched from the government telecom system (GTS) to the technology used by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. But it’s a minor problem and easily remedied with the installation of multiplexers, Galano says.
The multiplexers provide high-speed communication transmis*sions, so that only one computer is necessary to control eight intersec*tions. The old system’s ratio is one computer per intersection.
“Communication lines is not an issue in the system because the major element of the system are the computers. We already solved the communication problems and I don’t think it’s fair to raise it again,” Galano said.
Galano said even Singapore used converters for the operation of their traffic signal system.
Using multiplexers might have solved the glitch, but not the budgetary problems.
TEC had a P2,000 monthly budget for the use of PLDT lines, but using the telephone firm’s multiplexers jacked up the cost to P6,000.
Insiders say that government now owes PLDT P10.5 million in outstanding bills from September 2001 to October this year.
PLDT has threatened to discontinue service if the outstanding bills are not paid. The TEC’s reply was to acquire its own multiplexers.

**architect** · December 3rd, 2007 02:32 PM

This is the second part of the article - from http://manilatimes.net/others/specia...21218spe1.html

Traffic problems a gauge by which Presidents’ performance is measured
By Jena Balaoro, Reporter

Conclusion
(Metro Manila has tried a number of traffic-reducing programs but none has worked seamlessly and effectively. A lot of hope was pinned on the $702.27-million Sydney Coordinated Adoptive Traffic System or SCATS. Yet the system has failed to live up to expectations. The conclusion of the series discusses why.)
Metro Manila’s deplorable traffic condition has tormented four presidents since the 1986 EDSA revolution. It is a major socio-economic issue. It is a principal gauge businessmen use to rate the performance of Philippine presidents. It has dimmed the luster of the Philippines as a worthy site for foreign investment.
Every administration has come up with some attempt to solve the problem. Massive interchanges were constructed. The color-coding scheme to reduce motor vehicle volume was introduced. Most recently, the MMDA imposed the no left-turn rule along EDSA. None of these has eased the horrors of driving in Metro Manila.
In 1995, government embarked on a $22.950-million renovation of the metropolis’ traffic light system in the hope that the Sydney Coordinated Adoptive Traffic System would at last make vehicular flow smoother. But SCATS has turned out to be a failure.
The Department of Public Works’ Traffic Engineering Center chief, Godofredo Galano, blames traffic enforcers and undisciplined motorists and pedestrians for Metro Manila’s traffic mess.
He says many traffic enforcers manipulate the controller of the system installed at intersections. This manual tinkering results in communication mix-ups that defeat the SCATS’ synchronization program.
He thinks MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando should make traffic enforcers and motorists undergo seminars and training courses on how the SCATS system works.
“It is important for both the enforcers and the motorists to understand the system so they can cooperate with it,” Galano explains. “The SMART system works in real time and reacts to actual traffic flows and other sensor monitored conditions.” Therefore, no human intervention is necessary — in fact human tinkering undermines the system.
It infuriates Fernando to hear Galano blame traffic enforcers. MMDA personnel, he claims, don’t even have the keys to the SCATS traffic light control boxes.
Galano also blames motorists. Near intersections, they should never stop over the white lane-separation lines because the sensors are embedded there. When the wheels of stopped vehicles cover the sensors, the system can no longer count the vehicle flow. The system becomes incapable of switching on the signal lights properly. The disabled sensor gives delayed or wrong signals. This causes chaos.
“In countries where motorists are disciplined, such as in Australia and Singapore, the SCATS system works perfectly,” Galano says.

**architect** · December 3rd, 2007 02:33 PM

This is the second part of the article - from http://manilatimes.net/others/specia...21218spe1.html

Traffic problems a gauge by which Presidents’ performance is measured
By Jena Balaoro, Reporter

Conclusion
(Metro Manila has tried a number of traffic-reducing programs but none has worked seamlessly and effectively. A lot of hope was pinned on the $702.27-million Sydney Coordinated Adoptive Traffic System or SCATS. Yet the system has failed to live up to expectations. The conclusion of the series discusses why.)
Metro Manila’s deplorable traffic condition has tormented four presidents since the 1986 EDSA revolution. It is a major socio-economic issue. It is a principal gauge businessmen use to rate the performance of Philippine presidents. It has dimmed the luster of the Philippines as a worthy site for foreign investment.
Every administration has come up with some attempt to solve the problem. Massive interchanges were constructed. The color-coding scheme to reduce motor vehicle volume was introduced. Most recently, the MMDA imposed the no left-turn rule along EDSA. None of these has eased the horrors of driving in Metro Manila.
In 1995, government embarked on a $22.950-million renovation of the metropolis’ traffic light system in the hope that the Sydney Coordinated Adoptive Traffic System would at last make vehicular flow smoother. But SCATS has turned out to be a failure.
The Department of Public Works’ Traffic Engineering Center chief, Godofredo Galano, blames traffic enforcers and undisciplined motorists and pedestrians for Metro Manila’s traffic mess.
He says many traffic enforcers manipulate the controller of the system installed at intersections. This manual tinkering results in communication mix-ups that defeat the SCATS’ synchronization program.
He thinks MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando should make traffic enforcers and motorists undergo seminars and training courses on how the SCATS system works.
“It is important for both the enforcers and the motorists to understand the system so they can cooperate with it,” Galano explains. “The SMART system works in real time and reacts to actual traffic flows and other sensor monitored conditions.” Therefore, no human intervention is necessary — in fact human tinkering undermines the system.
It infuriates Fernando to hear Galano blame traffic enforcers. MMDA personnel, he claims, don’t even have the keys to the SCATS traffic light control boxes.
Galano also blames motorists. Near intersections, they should never stop over the white lane-separation lines because the sensors are embedded there. When the wheels of stopped vehicles cover the sensors, the system can no longer count the vehicle flow. The system becomes incapable of switching on the signal lights properly. The disabled sensor gives delayed or wrong signals. This causes chaos.
“In countries where motorists are disciplined, such as in Australia and Singapore, the SCATS system works perfectly,” Galano says.

**architect** · December 3rd, 2007 02:34 PM

continuation...

The MMDA is moving to take over traffic management in Manila from the TEC. In 2001, Fernando, even before President Macapagal-Arroyo appointed him MMDA boss, had recommended that change.
Fernando says: “It’s our prerogative to operate the system because traffic is under the mandate of the MMDA. Actually, I’m asking them to transfer everything now to the MMDA because they did not do that when they were supposed to transfer everything years back.”
Fernando says the TEC, which is an agency under the DPWH, is “disorganized.”
“That’s why there’s a disarray in the traffic. I’m also requesting to manage everything concerned with traffic that is in the hands of DPWH — including construction, installation of signal lights and such things. And of course, the command responsibility over the system must fall on us, because they don’t want to be subordinated to us,” he says.
Galano doesn’t mind giving up traffic management to the MMDA but not the 150 employees of the center. He said the TEC would simply operate in some other cities.
“The MMDA could take over the TEC’s work in Metro Manila because they have the authority to do so. They can take our responsibilities but I don’t know if they can take our people. These are skilled personnel who developed their expertise for the past 27 years in TEC. The DPWH wants to maintain its experienced people. They will share their expertise with traffic management officials in other cities where they will undertake signalization traffic management projects,” Galano says.
The TEC’s transfer from the DPWH to MMDA was approved last October. But it has remained unimplemented. Why? Because, MMDA traffic enforcement division chief Vergel De Dios explains, negotiations for the handover of TEC equipment and its building are still going on.
Fernando is studying various options to find the best way of improving the NCR’s traffic signalization system. He plans to hire foreign experts to assess SMART/SCATS and find out the best way to proceed.
Optimistically, he vows to raise average weekday automotive travel time within Metro Manila to at least 24 kph before his term expires.
The MMDA is seriously considering two immediate steps that will radically change Metro Manila traffic flow, some fear, for the worse. One, to lift the color-coding scheme. Two, allow trucks to ply the metropolis’ streets all day and night.
A UP professor of urban and regional planning disparages Bayani’s traffic reduction schemes. Professor Hussein Sinsuat Lidasan says these are “short in vision.”
“Fernando’s plans sound good but have not gone beyond the experimental stage. We need to improve transportation infrastructure,” says Lidasan. “Govern*ment should take steps to really improve the public transport system. You can’t effectively discourage people from buying and using their own cars without giving them an acceptable alternative means of transport.”
The Light Railway Transit (LRT) Line 1 and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 now service hundreds of thousands of commuters daily. Plans are underway to build Line 2 to link Manila and Marikina.
“The answers are here. It’s just a matter of implementation,” Lidasan said.

**Islaw*Palitaw** · December 3rd, 2007 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by jing

I just interpret it the way it was printed. As I understand it, the microchip will be use to monitor so as to further understand the traffic situation in our streets. Understanding it will hopefully lead to a better, improved solution. Real time data gathering.
At least MMDA never runs out of ideas and never tires to experiment which serves us best.

Hindi kaya napaka-mahal naman yatang experiment nyan???

**sboogie** · December 3rd, 2007 03:25 PM

naku parang kurakot nanaman yan

**Islaw*Palitaw** · December 3rd, 2007 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by Radical!

It's about time.

Europe had recordable hard discs installed in tourist buses as early as the 1980's to regulate speed (limited to 90kph), record road usage (in carriageways and city streets), and record the number of hours (and time of day) bus drivers drive. This information is surrendered between borders to check/regulate and if necessary penalize/fine bus companies.

Singapore's CBD system on the other hand also worked. The existing transponder system installed in the CBD regulates traffic by taxing vehicles entering traffic-prone CBD areas.

I hope the MMDA acquires a dated and automated system to help augment the traffic in Metro Manila AND keep these buses in check 24/7 while MMDA traffic aides go ahead and continue doing what they are supposed to do.

Good for them...they have more diciplined drivers compared to the Philippines. RFID Technology perhaps will not solve the traffic situations in EDSA in the long run but producing diciplined drivers will... these are only monitoring tools for MMDA to understand the real scenario on the ground level. To add more complexities to that, these RFID tags can be hacked in such a way that it can be disabled, cloned, information stored in it can be copied, modified, eavesdropped, signals can be jammed and blocked, tags can be detached etc... I hope these threats were factored out by MMDA when they decided to spend people's money to deploy these kind of stuff in the streets...

**webmiester** · December 3rd, 2007 06:15 PM

Do you guys remember the robocop movies? Yung 1 kalaban niya had high powered armaments tapos was used for directing traffic. Nung may hindi sumunod he blasted the car using really powerful stuff, obliterating it into smitherins

.

Do you think that'l work here if the MMDA acquires such a robot?

**kyoots** · December 16th, 2007 02:13 PM

in EDSA, why not just ban all buses that take the MRT route and just increase the number of available train cars on the MRT. this will definitely solve the traffic problem.

**niky** · December 17th, 2007 01:12 PM

Won't work.

The MRT is already near full capacity, and the interval between trains during rush hour is already small... any closer together and they'd be lined up like the LRT trains, are... nakapila before the station... which wastes electricity and capacity. If a train has to stop more than once before the station, it requires more energy to get up to speed and build momentum again... which uses up more electricity than if it's coasting between stations.

There are just too many commuters. The big problem is that because the bus lines in Manila are all private franchise and franchises were given out without thought to overcapacity, there's no coordination between the MMDA or the individual companies to prevent overcapacity at some stops and undercapacity at others. Some bus companies have coordination between their own buses, so that drivers just getting onto EDSA don't go to crowded stops (if you've got one bus there waiting in line for 30 minutes for 40 passengers, why waste the diesel in the second bus? Send it to the next stop).

That's all that's needed... for the traffic authorities and bus lines to cooperate on decongesting stops... and for the fricking MMDA to actually keep drivers from hogging bus stops by waiting longer than absolutely necessary.