MMDA hosts forum on traffic system, smart city components
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is hosting a forum on Intelligent Traffic System and Smart City Components with focus on the wonders of the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) in aiding the nation’s capital its traffic situation, and how people can get advanced facilities to improve their way of life.
READ MORE: What does inclusive street design look like?
MMDA Chairman Danilo D. Lim is set to welcome participants and guests gracing the event. Among the expected attendees is Quezon City Representative Winston T. Castelo, Committee on Metropolitan Manila Development, who is also expected to deliver a message to the participants.
Dr. Kim Wan Jib of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, South Korea, will present Seoul’s Transportation Operation and Information Service (TOPIS), an integrated traffic management center that operates and manages the capital’s traffic situation, along with its challenges and achievements since its inception.
TOPIS, the “control tower” of Seoul City’s comprehensive traffic system, gathers a wide variety of traffic information from Bus Management System, current traffic situation from Transport Card System, and other sources. Real-time information are processed and provided to traffic facility users and public transportation information managers operating buses, subway trains, parking facilities, etc.
READ MORE: New Clark City design plan a showcase of PH identity
Morever, the forum will also cover Smart City Projects and Strategies of Seoul, South Korea’s capital and largest metropolis recognised as one of the smartest, most connected city in the world. Technologies that make Seoul among the Smartest Cities in the World will be presented during the event.
The upcoming forum is also expected to be a place of gathering for officials of the MMDA, House of Representatives Seoul Metropolitan Government, Metro Manila local government units and other concerned government agencies to exchange ideas and information on pressing issues in Metro Manila.
“We are now looking into new and innovative solutions to address Metro Manila’s growing transportation needs and traffic problems brought by the increasing number of vehicles. May this forum serve as venue for us to promote exchanges in finding new ideas and well-designed technology tools that can benefit government agencies and the public,” said Lim.
READ MORE: How do we make sure Asia’s megacities are healthy cities?
READ MORE: The politics and problems of placemaking in the Philippines
Lim, who is tasked to deliver metro-wide services to 16 cities and one municipality in the National Capital Region, is also pushing for the creation of Mega Manila that will carry a new charter of development and governance. According to Lim, Metro Manila’s road traffic congestion has been plaguing the capital region for decades. Top reasons behind the traffic problems affecting Metro Manila are: increasing number of private vehicles, inadequate road infrastructure, and lack of efficient public transportation vehicles.
In a recent Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) study, the Philippines is losing P3.5 billion a day due to worsening traffic in Metro Manila. Lim believes that traffic problems can be solved, with forceful implementation of the traffic laws, and with discipline and cooperation of all stakeholders.
The forum will be this Thursday, 31 May, at the SMX Convention Center Hall 4, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, from 8:30 am up to 1 pm.
This announcement was first made on www.mmda.gov.ph
READ MORE: This is what the new MMDA complex will look like
