Friday, January 19, 2007 New traffic system tested anew in four intersections By Grace L. Plata
THE re-implementation of the new traffic signalization system started Thursday, but only in four intersections in Davao City.
According to Traffic Management Center chief Celso Gempesaw, they have started with four -- Ulas, Toril, Matina Crossing, and Quimpo-Sandawa intersections-- in order focus on monitoring and to immediately address problems that may arise in the implementation of the new traffic system.
Gempesaw, together with a technical staff and consultants, patrolled the city streets early Thursday morning to see if the implementation, which started at 6 a.m., was running smoothly.
He said the Matina Crossing traffic lights were turned off for re-wiring and some modifications after an hour or so because they have seen some problems in the timing of the lights and the way the jeepneys dally in the area.
In Ulas, the only problem was that the police checkpoint is too close to the intersection.
But Gempesaw said this will be addressed by the traffic center through a request to move the checkpoint a little bit further as not to obstruct traffic when passing vehicles undergo inspections.
There have been no reported problems, so far, in the two other intersections in Toril and Quimpo-Sandawa.
Gempesaw added that after the traffic flows in the pilot intersection have been fine-tuned, they will also move on to the others, including intersections along Quirino-McArthur stretch.
Also, soon to follow are intersections along Quimpo stretch going to Magsaysay Park and the Sta. Ana-JP Laurel intersection.
Perfecting the flow in the four intersections may take time but Gempesaw said they are not in a hurry and will take the necessary time needed to reach their goal.
He added that the implementation Thursday went on smoothly compared to the one undertaken on December 18 last year.
This, Gempesaw said, is because the public has been widely informed of the plans and the changes.
