Manila: The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is piloting two technology-driven initiatives, including smart traffic poles and a mobile application, under its ongoing traffic mitigation project with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

According to Philippines News Agency, the initiatives were discussed during the 3rd Joint Coordination Committee meeting for the Capacity Enhancement on Traffic Management with Improvement of Intelligent Transportation Systems for Metropolitan Manila (MMITS) project at the MMDA headquarters in Pasig City. The meeting brought together representatives of the 17 local government units (LGUs) of Metro Manila, national government agencies, and members of the academe.

During the event, MMDA Chairperson Romando Don Artes emphasized the project's goal of strengthening the agency's capacity in intelligent transportation systems planning and managing transport data. Artes highlighted the importance of these capabilities in responding to the evolving traffic challenges of the metropolis and building a more integrated and data-driven traffic management system.

One of the pilot projects, the Smart Pole Implementation Plan, involves installing multiple types of sensors on existing MMDA poles at selected intersections. An implementation test will be conducted to collect and analyze traffic and environmental data, evaluating the sensors' accuracy and capability.

The second pilot project focuses on developing a mobile application, resulting from the "Bagong Gawi, Bagong Galaw" Mobile Application Challenge. Discussions are underway on developing the winning application, "Lakbay Points," created by a team from Cagayan State University, and its potential integration with existing systems of local government units and national government agencies.

The committee also addressed the ongoing enhancement of the Waze dashboards and the redevelopment of the traffic data platform to integrate various traffic data sources. This includes the Traffic Signal Control Improvement Task Force and the development of the Road DX System, an integrated platform for data, visualization, and decision support.

Over the next six months, the project will focus on further developing the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Development Plan, physically implementing the first pilot project, and continuing coordination with the winning team of the mobile application challenge.

JICA Senior Representative Takanori Morishima acknowledged the progress achieved through collaboration, stating that the accomplishments were made possible through the efforts of MMDA, partner agencies, LGUs, and JICA. MMDA Deputy Chairperson, Undersecretary Frisco San Juan Jr. expressed the need to finalize and validate the ITS Development Plan, endorse priority projects for implementation, and ensure the scalability and integration of pilot projects into regular traffic management operations.

The MMITS technical cooperation project is part of the broader reform agenda under the Five-Year Action Plan for Traffic Management 2023-2027, originating from the JICA Technical Cooperation Project on the Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan implemented from 2019 to 2022.