Smart traffic solutions eyed for PPP

MANILA, Philippines — The government wants investors to explore the emerging market for public-private partnerships (PPP) that provide smart solutions for mass transport and traffic management in cities.

In a forum hosted by the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, PPP Center director Raphael Badillo said there is a growing appetite for PPPs involving smart mobility.

Badillo cited the proposal of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), which is working with the local government of Baguio on a P3.29-billion proposal to manage traffic flow in the summer capital of the Philippines.

The project seeks to slap a congestion fee on road users in Baguio to discourage tourists from bringing private cars when visiting the city. Further, MPTC wants to introduce a new traffic management scheme to monitor road capacity.

The project also intends to review the parking situation in Baguio, from roadside spaces in front of private establishments, to enclosed lots managed by the local government. MPTC also plans to integrate fresh solutions, such as service contracting and smart stops, for public transport.

In Bacolod, Badillo said the local government awarded a P2.1-billion contract to Highdata Infra Corp. (HIC), tasking it to increase the city’s reliance on digital solutions for everyday tasks.

The project aims to build a centralized command center for traffic monitoring, disaster response, anti-crime efforts, among others, for immediate dissemination of critical information.

The deal also mandates HIC to install intelligent street lights that are equipped with surveillance and analytical capacities for data and security purposes.

On top of this, Badillo said Qpax Traffic Systems Inc. is working with various local governments in digitizing traffic enforcement. The system provided by Qpax integrates local traffic data with those of the Land Transportation Office.

The project aims to reduce the time in apprehending motorists and validating details on drivers and vehicles. Badillo said this improves traffic conditions and promotes road discipline.

Badillo said PPP opportunities are becoming abundant in urban districts, with local governments pushing to digitize most of their transactions, from tax collection to traffic management.

He added that these PPPs can become a major investment magnet in the future, as they increase the efficiency and lower the costs of providing public services through the use of technology.