LTFRB to test speed limit gadget

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) is set to pilot test a global positioning system (GPS) device that will help enforce speed limits for buses, an official said yesterday.

LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez said the device will be installed in certain buses during the second quarter of the year.

The board set the pilot test following a spate of fatal road accidents involving buses.

A bus will be tagged as speeding when the device records the vehicle exceeding the imposed speed limit. Passengers can also monitor the bus’ real-time speed through an on-screen display system installed in the vehicle. 

Ginez said the LTFRB will continue to enhance the device based on the results of the pilot test, including how to efficiently transmit and issue citations and traffic violation tickets to speeding buses.

A study done by the University of the Philippines’ National Center for Transportation Studies in October 2014 showed that the GPS device is the most viable option to lessen accidents involving buses, Ginez said.