THE SLOW flow of traffic is a multifaceted problem that needs a multidisciplinary solution. It could just be a matter of semantics, but the problem is not the existence of traffic, but the slow flow of traffic itself.
By definition, there is already an existence of traffic if there is at least one vehicle on the road. Strictly speaking, the problem is not the traffic, but the slow flow of traffic.
By way of sarcasm, we could say that the only way to prevent traffic is to prevent all vehicles from using the roads. But of course, that is not the solution, because the solution is to manage the movement of traffic so that it will flow smoothly in accordance with local and global standards.
That said, the next question is to agree on an acceptable rate of flow that could be measurable, for example in terms of kilometers per hour (KPH). The capability to measure is important and necessary because that would be the only way to measure the success and failure of traffic flow targets.
As it is now, we tend to measure the flow of traffic in terms of light, moderate and heavy, but these qualitative indicators are difficult to understand and are practically useless because the data could not be analyzed. Besides, these qualitative indicators could not place responsibility on the local government units (LGUs), in terms of their own responsibility to manage the traffic flows.
Unlike illegal drugs and illegal gambling that are clearly covered by the jurisdiction of the LGUs, it is not really clearly stated that the flow of traffic is its responsibility.
In Metro Manila, it is clear that the overall responsibility belongs to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and what that means is that the LGUs within the metropolis could not be blamed for the slow flow of traffic at all.
In theory, it is possible to measure the flow of traffic within a town or city, in terms of KPH. In this context, it would be practical to delegate to the local authorities the responsibility to target and meet their own KPH goals, based on local conditions.
Although there are many practical and legal actions that could be taken in order to solve the problem of slow traffic flows, there are also many technical solutions that are ready to be deployed, some of which would not even cost anything.
Since my line is information and communications technology (ICT), I am hopelessly biased in favor of ICT technologies. As I see it, I think that the problem of slow traffic flows could be solved by the powerful troika of the internet cloud, Big Data and the internet of things (IOT).
As I see it, the solutions are all about data, how data is analyzed, and how it is used as a basis to make management decisions. (To be continued)/PN
