Cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu to get live video feed of traffic

THE Traffic and Security Monitoring System (TSMS), a private CCTV camera contractor, will provide the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu with videos of the traffic in the two bridges that link mainland Cebu to Mactan Island.

This was one of many agreements reached during the Mactan-Cebu Bridge Management Council meeting last Thursday.

Department of Public Works and Highways 7 Director Ador Canlas also suggested providing motorists similar access through the Internet or through their cellular phones like what’s being done in Metro Manila.

He said he is coordinating with several firms for assistance.

But the council said it would prefer to provide limited access to motorists to avoid security problems since bridges are considered vital structures.

This sentiment was echoed by Dexter Fortuna of the Mandaue City Planning Office and the council’s police members.

The council ended up agreeing to provide limited access only like two camera footages for each bridge. This may be footages of the traffic on the bridges’ approach.

TSMS officer Leo Bacus said the LGUs can access the traffic video information through the Internet. But he admitted that their system needs to be upgraded, and the council took note of this.

During the meeting, Bacus showed video footages of the traffic situation in the two bridges in real time.

Atty. Giovanni Tianero, Mandaue City legal officer, said he already arranged the communication line between the TSMS and Mandaue City’s Management Information Systems Office, the City’s central processing unit.

Lapu-Lapu City traffic official Frank Brazil also made a similar arrangement with Bacus.

The two LGUs, though, have yet to discuss funding for this project.

Fortuna suggested using an electronic billboard, which is cheaper.

He said the City can place several of these in strategic areas leading to the bridge.

He said the electronic billboards will provide traffic volume of both bridges and advice motorists which bridge to use.