IBM sets sights on solving urban traffic mess

MANILA, Philippines - Business and information technology (IT) service provider IBM Philippines is studying the possibility of venturing into a project with the government to address traffic congestion in urban areas, company officials said yesterday.

IBM convened yesterday representatives from the public and private sectors for the SmarterCities Summit Manila at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel to explore how information technology could improve city infrastructure and systems.

“It is imperative for city leaders to understand how they can make the best use of IT to improve city management and keep up with rapid urbanization,” said James Velasquez, country general manager of IBM-Philippines.

Lope Doromal, IBM-Philippines chief technologist, said the government could avail of a traffic prediction tool developed by IBM that helps cities that struggle with congestion.

Doromal said the tool is being used in developed countries, including Singapore, to improve its traffic management.

Since 2007, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority has been using the IBM’s traffic prediction tool that allows traffic controllers to anticipate and better manage the flow of traffic to prevent the build-up of congestion, said Doromal.

Doromal said IBM officials have started discussing the possibilities of adapting the system with some government officials and local executives in Metro Manila.“If we have better public transport system, this will discourage people from driving,” Doramal said in a media briefing.

Doromal said IBM is also willing to partner with the government to improve the country’s health sector and public safety through an integrated health care system and emergency respond system.

“If we have a single repository of health records, the doctors could easily assess the condition of the patient and they would not spend time in reviewing the patient’s medical history,” he said.

While having an integrated emergency respond system would allow medical officers to quickly respond during occurrence of accidents or disasters, Doromal added.