Rotational brownouts straining Mandaue’s old traffic lights

MANILA, Philippines — Rotational brownouts are adding to the problems of some ageing traffic lights in Mandaue City, according to the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM).

TEAM head Hyll Retuya in an interview revealed that the traffic light system provider had told the agency that repeated power interruptions have contributed to damage to some of the city’s older equipment.

“Major cause sad ana nga nakaguba g’yud ba is kaning rotational brownouts,” Retuya said.

He said the older traffic light system, particularly its computer boxes, is not equipped to handle repeated power interruptions.

Retuya likewise said the city’s existing traffic lights still rely entirely on electricity and have no solar power backup.

To facilitate the traffic during power interruptions, Retuya said TEAM deploys personnel to affected intersections to manually direct motorists.

“Naa tay mga personnel g’yud on standby,” Retuya said.

The problem comes as some of the city’s traffic lights are already showing signs of deterioration due to more than a decade of use.

Retuya said some remain operational but their signals are no longer as clear as they should be.

“Mogana man siya, pero usahay kung makita gani ninyo morag hanap, dili na g’yud maklaro,” he said.

Some signals also occasionally blink, prompting TEAM to keep personnel on standby in affected areas to assist in directing motorists when needed.

Retuya said the city has already identified the traffic lights that need rehabilitation and is prioritizing those in the worst condition.

The rehabilitation of the identified traffic lights is expected to start next year, with the Ouano Avenue, Maguikay, Seno Highway, and Banilad areas likely to be among the first to undergo work.

Retuya said the city has been setting aside funds for traffic light rehabilitation for about three years, with the entire rehabilitation estimated at around ?63 million.

However, the city will undertake the work in phases.

“Gi-piece by piece nato ang rehabilitation,” Retuya said.

Moreover, the city is also prioritizing the installation of new traffic lights at the E.O. Perez and C.D. Seno intersections, which currently do not have traffic signals.

The city has also begun installing newer traffic lights equipped with artificial intelligence technology, including one at the U.N. Avenue corner M.C. Briones Street, while older installations remain subject to phased rehabilitation.