Contractor sought for city traffic lights

To fix the defective traffic signal lights last year, councilor Augustus "Jun" Pe Jr. wants a contractor to help the City Traffic Operations Management maintain and operate its traffic lights.

In a proposed resolution, Pe is appropriating P11.9 million for the maintenance of the Citom's traffic control boxes in 78 intersections to make sure traffic lights are synchronized.

Last year, data in traffic control boxes of 78 city intersections was erased causing traffic signals to go haywire. As a result of the loss, city's traffic lights changed simultaneously that vehicles at all four ends of an intersection would get a go signal all at the same time, instead of one after the other.

If the proposed resolution of Pe will be approved in today's council session, the city council will authorize Mayor Tomas Osmeña to enter into a contract agreement with Tyco Integrated Systems Philippines, Inc. for maintenance and operations of the traffic signals.

Under the terms and conditions of maintenance contract, the contractor will be responsible for maintenance of all equipment in the control center and traffic signals

The city's traffic system, called Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System or SCATS, was part of the Cebu Traffic Engineering and Maintenance project for Metro Cebu, including that of neighboring cities Talisay, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

SCATS operates in real-time, adjusting signal timings throughout the system in response to variation in traffic demand and system capacity.

A total of 68 intersections in Metro Cebu were being signalized for Phase I project, wherein sixty-five (65) intersections are located within Cebu City. In 1993, all intersections and the Traffic Control Center were activated. Presently, there are 78 signalized intersections and 64 "unsignalized" intersections that need a traffic aide to direct and control the flow of traffic. - Garry B. Lao