MODERNIZING TRAFFIC CONTROL: IT’S TIME TO LET ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DRIVE

MODERNIZING TRAFFIC CONTROL: IT’S TIME TO LET ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DRIVE Traffic congestion has become a daily curse for millions of Filipinos, especially in Metro Manila. It wastes time, drains productivity, and worsens pollution. Every administration promises to fix it, yet the solutions have largely remained piecemeal and reactive. But today, we are in a unique position to rethink traffic management entirely—by putting Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the driver's seat. With President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. championing modernization and infrastructure development, I believe now is the right time to pursue a technology-driven, data-informed, and interdisciplinary approach to solving our country’s traffic woes. Let me lay out some key ideas that I believe the government, especially the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its partners, can consider: 1. Open the Traffic Conversation to More Minds Traffic is not just an engineering problem—it’s a behavioral, urban planning, and governance problem too. That’s why we need to broaden participation. Let’s invite more experts from urban design, psychology, data analytics, and environmental sciences into the discussion. 2. Bring in the Experts We have top-tier research talent right here in the Philippines. The National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and Future Earth Philippines are two valuable knowledge partners. Likewise, the National Center for Transportation Studies (NCTS) at UP Diliman has long been at the forefront of transportation research and training. Why aren’t we tapping them more deeply? 3. Break Down Silos The DOTr and the MMDA must stop operating in silos. True progress requires institutional collaboration, especially with the Regional Development Councils (RDCs) of the surrounding provinces that form part of Mega Manila. Let’s not forget the private sector, particularly SMC Infrastructure and other toll road operators who should be in sync with the government’s traffic flow strategy. 4. Use the Full Power of Technology There is no excuse today for managing traffic blindly. We now have access to Google Earth, Waze, DICT data, and MMDA feeds, just to name a few. The Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) and the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) can help us leverage AI and machine learning to predict congestion, recommend reroutes, and optimize traffic signal timing. Even drones can be deployed for real-time traffic mapping. 5. Define What Success Looks Like We need clear, measurable targets—like average traffic speed in kilometers per hour. We also need to enforce emissions laws and safety standards to reduce road clutter. Repeat violators must be dealt with seriously—license suspensions should be on the table. 6. Make Public Transport Attractive We’ve made good steps with the bus carousel, but we can go further. Let’s promote ridesharing for commuters, expand the looping concept, and ensure train stations have parking spaces and integrated bus-jeepney routes for seamless transfers. 7. Smarter Infrastructure It’s not just about roads—it’s about smart roads. Upgrade CCTV cameras to read QR codes, RFID tags, and even license plates. Equip command centers with the tools to electronically bill traffic violators and track movement patterns. Let’s use facial recognition only where ethically appropriate and legally sound. 8. Count the Cost—and Act Accordingly Let’s compute the daily economic cost of traffic (some studies peg it at ₱3.5 billion per day in Metro Manila alone!)—and then justify investments in traffic tech and infrastructure accordingly. We lose more by delaying. 9. Start Traffic Education Early Why wait until people are licensed drivers? Include traffic education in the school curriculum, from grade school to high school. It’s about building a culture of discipline and awareness from the ground up. The traffic crisis is not just an inconvenience—it’s a national development issue. But it’s also an opportunity. If we do this right, we can show the world how a developing country with a tech-savvy population can leapfrog into a smarter, safer, and more sustainable transportation future. Let’s use AI not just to solve traffic—but to lead the future of mobility in Southeast Asia. The pieces are all in place. What we need now is vision, leadership, and coordination. Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com 07-13-2025