Mandaue to modernize traffic control system

CEBU, Philippines -  The Mandaue City government will soon have a modern traffic control system.

IT consultant Qeurubin Momongan said the bidding for the proposed P40 million Traffic Control System of the city is being contested by two companies.

Momongan said winning bidder should provide the city with traffic signals in 9 intersections in the city, provide a network for video cameras and pc controllers in the nine intersections, and connect these to the command center. The city would also ask for 5 high definition 52"-inch flat screen television sets.

The winning bidder should also include "services" in the scope of work which will cater to the training of users, implementation services, configuration services, civil construction of the traffic equipment and network, and the maintenance and support during the warranty period.

These requirements will be set up in the six new intersections and three existing traffic signal intersections.

The budget is only good for phase one.

The city plans to come up with a complete traffic system design for 18 intersections and will need an additional P15 million for the second phase.

However, this early the city has prioritized nine intersections wherein traffic is very much congested.

These intersections are found at Ouano Avenue corner Conrado B. Seno near Parkmall, Ouano Avenue near Cebu Doctors' University, Ouano Avenue corner Cabahug Causeway near Mandaue Sports Complex, M. C. Briones corner A.C. Cortes Avenue under the Maguikay flyover, G. Lopez Jaena Avenue under the Subangdaku flyover, Hernan Cortes corner F. Cabahug and Ayala access road, Plaridel Road corner UN Avenue, Plaridel Street corner A.C. Cortes Avenue near Pocherohan and Plaridel Street corner G. Ouano near Tita Gwapa.

Of the nine intersections, three existing traffic signals will be pulled out for rehabilitation and these will be installed later in some street corners in the interior portions of the city.

Momongan said the traffic cameras that will be installed in these intersections are fiber-optic ones capable of automatic plate number recognition and motion detections.

One of the companies bidding for the project is based in Metro Manila and is the supplier of the traffic control system for the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Valenzuela City while the other company is based in Mandaue City and is the supplier of the traffic control system for Cebu City.

Once the project materializes, Momongan said it will be the first modernized control system in the country.

An MMDA official said he will visit the city once it is completed.