Mandaue’s modern traffic lights switched on

Equipped with high-definition cameras and digital clocks, Mandaue City’s modern traffic lights were finally switched-on yesterday as part of the city’s 44th Charter Day celebration.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes led the ceremonial switching on of the high-tech traffic system on which the city spent P39 million.

The modern traffic lights are installed on three intersections: A.C. Cortes Avenue and Plaridel Street; A.C. Cortes Avenue and S.B. Cabahug Street; and A.S. Fortuna and Hernan Cortes Streets.

The installing of the traffic lights on those three intersections completed phase one of the project. Nine intersections will have the same traffic lights at the project’s completion by the end of the year.

The traffic light system is equipped with 36 CCTV high-definition five-mega pixel cameras with the control command office located beside the Mandaue City Hall.

The new traffic lights are also described as friendly to persons with disabilities because of beeping sounds which will signal them when to cross or stop.

The digital timer will also allow the motorists to determine the length of intervals between the lights changing.

Peter Ong, the President and CEO of Triune Electronics Systems, Inc., the contractor of the project, said the company offers an extended warranty and the repair of old traffic lights in various places in the city.

Since most vehicles pass through Mandaue to get to the northern and southern parts of Cebu, Cortes said it has been the dream of the city to have a modern traffic system.

“We may not solve the traffic congestion with these traffic lights but it will help orderliness in the streets,” Cortes said.

Edwin Ermac, the traffic head of Mandaue, said less manpower will be needed for the new traffic system.

Ermac said from 16 traffic enforcers, only six personnel will be needed in the three intersections where initial new traffic lights were installed. /Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza