Traffic Lights

Two weeks ago our old traffic lights here in Davao was replaced by new ones. They had the dry-run. Everybody noticed it. The new traffic lights caused too much traffic in the dry-run. I think the motorists were just adjusting and in the long run the new traffic lights would then be to our advantage. Just now, I was checking my Google Alerts I have in my gmail. I actually signed up for it. This Google Alert, would alert me about anything that is happening in the Philippines and in Davao in case I won't have any chance of watching the news.

Anyway, my eye caught this headline -> "Davao's new traffic system is "Asia's most modern"

Davao’s new traffic signalization system, despite experiencing dry run problems, is the most modern in Asia, a traffic management official here said.

The P140-million traffic system was implemented on Dec. 19, but Mayor Rodrigo Duterte ordered its suspension days after it created traffic jams in some of the city’s major intersections.

Gempesaw said other Asian cities installed traffic systems much earlier and are now just upgrading technology. In the 1990s, he said, Cebu’s traffic system was the most modern in the country.

The system will be run via a command center using video cameras in intersections. It is thus capable of watching out for traffic violators on camera.

Gempesaw said four US-based consultants of the contractor are expected to arrive this week to help fine-tune the system.

“No matter how modern the system is, there would be a problem if the people are not attuned to it,” he said.

Gempesaw said they are preparing information and education modules to inform the public, especially those in barangays, about the new traffic system.

Woo. So the traffic lights are even better than I thought it would be. You see, it's my dream (ever since I got to visit Hong Kong and saw their traffic lights with matching sound effects) to have our traffic light upgraded and just now it began to materialize. Even better. Which actually makes sense, since if we will do some upgrading why not settle for the best ones right? It might cost a lot (just like the new streen signs. It was upgraded twice. Soo much improvement.) but then everyone in Davao should be used to such modernities. We need it guys.

Davao is much too laid-back and not exactly that modern. Mayor Digong don't leave us just yet. -_-