ILOILO City – The local transportation office plans to put in place a modern traffic management system that may see the removal of the “islands” at the capitol rotunda and the reduction of traffic aides.
The city government has been studying the future implementation of the Advance Traffic Management System (ATMS) since last year.
Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) head Jeck Conlu said the study is “80 percent” complete.
According to the local government, the modern system is expected to address traffic situations foreseen 10 years from now.
It involves the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras for the monitoring of traffic volume, rule violations and accidents along the city’s thoroughfares.
Footage from the cameras may be viewed from a state-of-the-art command center, the PSTMO said.
Among other benefits, this will enable the PSTMO to catch traffic rule violators even without traffic aides manning the streets.
But there will have to be changes on the city thoroughfares once the ATMS is in place, according to Conlu.
For one, he said, the seven “islands” – landscaped plant boxes – at the rotunda fronting the Iloilo provincial capitol compound will be demolished and a new traffic scheme will be implemented in the area.
All existing traffic lights will be upgraded, some of them relocated, and new traffic lights will be installed, Conlu said.
Unlike the proposed Integrated Traffic System during the Mabilog administration that focused on Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue (Diversion Road) in Mandurriao district, the ATMS will cover the entire city, he said.
The ATMS will be carried out phase by phase, starting from City Proper as Phase 1, which includes the construction of the command center.
Phase 1 is estimated to cost between P50 million to P400 million, said the PSTMO head.
The command center will be placed in a two-storey building that will also house the PSTMO, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the Bureau of Fire Protection.
Having all these offices on the frontline of emergency response under one building “will make for easier deployment,” said Conlu.
Phase 2, on the other hand, will be implemented in Mandurriao and Jaro districts, Phase 3 in Arevalo and Molo, and Phase 4 in La Paz.
Moreover, security cameras installed in the barangays will be incorporated in the ATMS.
Conlu said they will propose an amendment to the CCTV ordinance, particularly on the standard specifications, so CCTVs in the villages may be connected to the traffic command center.
It is high time for Iloilo to invest in its traffic system and be at par with other highly urbanized cities like Davao, Makati, Taguig, Pasay, and Cebu, said Conlu./PN
Removing the “islands” around the capitol rotunda may not alleviate the current traffic situation in Iloilo City as the major roads, Iznart St., General Luna St., Muelle Loney St. and Bonifacio Drive is still the same two-lane streets.
Removing these “islands” will only be a gathering bowl for all incoming and outgoing public and private vehicles.
Iloilo City is now as green as it is than ever. These “islands” full of grass, shrubs and flowers helps cool down the smog and the tirade of those stuck in traffic. Do you agree?
You are right.
it is heartening to note that mr. jeck conlu has a future plan for the solution of traffic snarls in iloilo city. however, i believe, that he should listen to feedbacks sent to him as regard solving traffic lights that rather than assist in the smooth flow of traffic only hinders it. case in point: 3 traffic lights have been installed in iloilo business park (megaworld). as one can observe, traffic is so light that there is no need for cars to stop during the red light for as long as 120 seconds! what is the raiionale behind such a long wait when the street is bereft of long lines on both sides of the road? as one drives a little further down the road, another traffic light has been installed. this time, one has to wait for 50 seconds before the light turns green! i again pose the same question: why? under these circumstances, i dare mr. jeck conlu to do an ocular inspection of the traffic lights at the iloilo business park (megaworld) to allow him for a reduced waiting time on the pertinent lights mentioned. it would of course be nice if mr. jeck conlu would contact me if he decides to approve the suggestion or not. thank you!
No need to remove the “islands”. Just install a flyover access for those coming from Doane Baptist side and landing to YMCA. Close the access road from Gen. Lune to Bonifacio Drive, instead they have to make a turn at the Arroyo Fountain.