Wednesday, January 10, 2007 Computer glitch mars dry run By Linette C. Ramos Sun.Star Staff Reporter
TRAFFIC was heavy in most areas in Cebu City yesterday after the computer directing the traffic signals in all 78 intersections bogged down.
Although a dry run in preparation for the Asean summit was held yesterday, it was the collapse of the traffic control system that caused the traffic, City Traffic Operations and Management (Citom) Executive Director Arnel Tancinco said.
The Cebu City Traffic Group expects heavier traffic during the summit dates, Jan. 10 to 15, because of a possible increase in the volume of vehicles in the city on the days leading to the Sinulog.
Traffic Group Head Jonathan Abella observed heavy traffic at the intersections on Archbishop Reyes Ave., Salinas Drive, Cardinal Rosales Ave. and near SM City in the North Reclamation Area.
Citom worked double time yesterday to reboot the regional computer and reinstall all misplaced data, so all traffic lights can function properly before the Asean summit.
“Traffic continues to be heavy because the traffic lights in the intersections are not coordinated. They are functioning but the light in one intersection is not coordinated with the one in the next, so mag-traffic gyud,” Tancinco explained.
“During the road closure for the Asean, it will create a problem. That’s why we have to fix it today because without the computer, we can’t control the traffic signals in the intersections,” he said.
The computer bogged down last Jan. 3 and has been under repair since then. As of last night, all traffic and intersection data were already downloaded, but have yet to be reflected in the traffic control system.
P1.9T for parking
Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem also warned all motorists not park their vehicles along the Asean summit ceremonial route. All unattended parked vehicles will be towed and its owners will be fined at least P1,900, he said.
“For obvious security reasons, we will not allow vehicles to be parked along the ceremonial route. We will tow all vehicles that are parked at any time to avoid any threat of a car bomb,” Jakosalem said.
As for the problem on insufficient traffic and road signs to guide motorists during the rerouting later this week, the matter has already been addressed, Tancinco said.
Some 120 road signs were installed along the ceremonial routes, and tarpaulin traffic signs were also displayed.
Abella said the deployment of their personnel has already been planned to ensure that the ceremonial route and other major roads are closely monitored during the summit.
Starting today, the ceremonial route will be closed at different intervals during the day.
“The roads will be closed for about 30 minutes. Some will take long and some will be quick, but we expect heavy traffic in the intersections along the ceremonial route,” Abella said.
