MNTC boosts traffic monitoring at NLEX

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC), developer and operator of the 84- kilometer North Luzon Expressway, announced that it has increased the number of closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) installed at the expressway to further boost its traffic and toll plaza monitoring capability.

There are now a total of 59 CCTV cameras, 33 of which are used for traffic monitoring and 26 are for toll plaza monitoring.

The CCTV system enables NLEX Traffic Control Room (TCR) personnel to track 24/7 traffic volume and road accidents and respond to phone calls from motorists using the customer service hotline or NLEX’s emergency call boxes. Traffic violations and overloading of vehicles are also constantly monitored.

MNTC has also upgraded its CCTV system from the old analog to the latest digital technology. Previously, time-lapse video cassette recorders were used for video recording. This has been replaced by compact discs, flash drives and digital video recorders. The Internet is also used for remote communication and monitoring of the NLEX traffic situation.

Rodrigo E. Franco, MNTC president and CEO, said “the installation of additional and more advanced CCTV cameras is part of MNTC’s continuing effort to set the bar higher in offering motorists excellent roadway features and services.”

Glenn G. Campos, MNTC assistant vice president for toll collection operation and maintenance, added that “the current road safety improvements include the expanded traffic monitoring capability in the Candaba viaduct through the installation of solar-powered wireless cameras in four strategic locations within the bridge.” Meanwhile, queuing monitoring cameras have likewise been installed in major toll collection barriers like Balintawak, Bocaue and Dau.

The company is also planning to further enhance NLEX’s traffic monitoring system by installing high-definition (HD) cameras and replacing the current cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors with more power-efficient digital liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors or video walls.