MMDA turns to drones to manage traffic

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be taking to the skies — through its remote-controlled drones — to monitor traffic and flooding during the rainy season.

MMDA Chair Danny Lim tested the four drones that were also used to manage traffic on Monday, the first day of classes for public schools.

The drones, which Lim called “eyes in the sky,” can stay aloft for 30 minutes at an altitude of almost 122 meters. They can be controlled remotely from a distance of up to 7 kilometers.

The drones came with tablets, remote controls and battery sets.

Costing P100,000 each, these were donated by a private citizen who did not wish to be identified, the MMDA said.

Real-time footage

“These drones are significant tools to help us in our decision-making since real-time footage on ongoing events could be provided,” Lim said.

He added that the drones could give them “a bigger picture for faster and orderly traffic management in congested areas.”

At present, the MMDA’s traffic monitoring is done on the ground at its Metrobase that uses hundreds of closed-circuit television cameras installed all over the metropolis.