As the country prepares to transition to the new normal post-pandemic, local government unit chiefs are gearing up for different solutions to address the “new normal’ way of doing business and governance.
As more vehicles gradually hit the road, traffic management will be a top priority of city mayors again with business in Metro Manila slowly coming back to the fold.
Jason Salvador, traffic management expert, and road safety advocate, said “Traffic management will be a huge challenge in this post-pandemic because primarily most of our traffic enforcement methods are still anchored the traditional way where the enforcer calls out a vehicle and discusses the violation face-to-face with the driver.
“This should be a No-No now that we have a virus transmission to control, and only a reliable technology can be the best partner for LGUs.”
Salvador is also the managing director of Leading Engagement Advocating Development and Reform (LEADER), a group advocating for safer roads.
Millions of vehicles are expected to run in Metro Manila as the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) has been lifted and general community quarantine (GCQ) has taken effect.
As such traffic management is expected to be problematic for many enforcement agencies.
Salvador added: “The No Contact Apprehension (NCAP) system has been used by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in major roads and has been effective thus far. We’ve seen a reduction of grave traffic violations on the road because drivers become more aware and careful and they don’t want to be penalized.
“Some LGUs have adopted this technology also such as Paranaque and Valenzuela and more are expected to follow.”
Among LGUs Paranaque has been the first to implement the system in 2018 where the city has seen a reduction of almost 50 percent in traffic violators after two to three months of enforcement.
Valenzuela also began enforcing using NCAP technology in 2019 and has seen a significant reduction of traffic violators after six months.
Salvador is optimistic that this period of new normal will encourage city mayors to reconsider technological innovations in implementing governance in their cities as the pandemic has shown how technology and innovation can solve issues swiftly, efficiently and accurately.
Salvador said: “It is undoubtedly an efficient innovative tool as it also promotes road safety and security because the presence of cameras functioning 24/7 will capture road incidences like crimes or mishaps and thus can even be a crime prevention tool.
“It’s a win-win for all concerned — the mayor implementing, for the enforcers, the drivers who will gradually become more disciplined, and the greater public because it contributes to lesser road congestion and over-all smoother traffic flow.
“We can all significantly lessen our hours of commute and spend more time with our families,” the traffic management expert concludes.”