DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 16 Dec) – With traffic getting busier in Mindanao’s biggest city, the committee on transportation and communication of the city council here is pushing for the creation of a real-time traffic update system.
Councilor Leonardo R. Avila III said that the system would tap media agencies such as radio stations as well as social media managers so that information on accidents and alternate routes could be passed on to motorists immediately.
Avila said that he hopes for the plan to push through next year.
“We will communicate with radio stations who have willingly partnered with us so they can release flash bulletins to their listeners,” he said.
Social media channels could also be tapped, in hopes of reaching those whose social network accounts such as Facebook are linked to their SMS inbox, he added.
Avila said that they will be conducting consultations with interested media outfits, including the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).
In a related development, Avila said motorists have been asking for more information from the city government regarding the city’s recent speed limits.
Executive Order No. 39, which was recently released by the City Mayor’s Office, dictates speed limits at 30 kph, 40 kph and 60 kph in different parts of the city.
“There has been no formal complaint yet, but we have heard people still asking about which parts of the city has specific speed limits. This means that there is a further need for more information,” Avila said.
Avila said that the transportation committee is still waiting for an official report from the TMC regarding how effective EO39 is.
In an earlier interview, former Traffic Management Center chief Dionisio Abude had said that information tarpaulins have been installed on the city’s overpasses.
Several billboards in the city also define the speed limits, including one sign near the Sangguniang Panlungsod building, as well as an advertising space near Quimpo boulevard.
“It’s not enough for tarpaulins to be installed around the city,” Avila said, adding that the city needs to abide by international standards of information materials being made available at certain intervals from 200 to 500 meters.
The Traffic Management Group has recently acquired 11 traffic guns to make it easier to detect and apprehend violators.
A speed limit of 60 kph has been mandated for vehicles driving from Sirawan to Ulas Crossing, from Lasang to Panacan, from Calinan to Ulas Crossing, and from C.P Gracia Highway-McArthur Highway to Panacan.
For vehicles traveling from Ulas to Generoso Bridge/Bolton Bridge, from Panacan Crossing to J.
P Laurel Avenue-Alcantara, and from Ma-a Road Diversion to McArthur Highway, the speed limit is 40 kph.
From J.P Laurel Ave. Alcantara to Bolton/Generoso Bridge, from Buhangin Crossing-Milan to Bolton/Generoso Bridge, from C.P Garcia Highway-Bacaca Road to Bolton/Generoso Bridge, and from C.P Garcia Highway-Angliongto St. to Bolton/Generoso Bridge, the speed limit has been set to 30 kph.