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Advocates Philippines
MMDA Eyes AI-Powered Video Detection To Take Metro Manila Traffic Management To The Next Level
Photo credit: MMDA
In keeping with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call to harness the latest technologies for better public service, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is exploring a bold new step in traffic management: using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve how vehicles are detected and managed on the road.
MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes announced the initiative during a press briefing at the agency’s head office in Pasig City, describing it as a natural progression from the recent rollout of the adaptive traffic signaling system across Metro Manila.
“As we phase in the adaptive signaling system, this innovation represents a major step towards ensuring smooth traffic flow, minimizing road crashes, and optimizing efficiency,” Artes said. “Hopefully, by next year, this innovation will be put into place.”
Currently, the agency is planning to replace the ground loop detectors used in the adaptive signaling system with AI-powered video detectors. According to the MMDA’s Traffic Engineering Center, video-based detection offers several advantages: it is less prone to damage from roadworks, bad weather, or tampering, and it can gather richer data, such as a vehicle’s speed, direction, and even license plate numbers.
Artes also presented to the media a series of videos showing the drawbacks of older traffic systems, such as countdown timers, which he said often encouraged risky behavior from drivers attempting to beat the red light.
Just last week, the MMDA removed traffic signal countdown timers at 96 intersections along Metro Manila’s major roads, fully transitioning to an adaptive signaling system that adjusts in real time to traffic conditions. The removal, implemented by the Traffic Engineering Center, marked another milestone in the agency’s broader effort to modernize traffic management.
The shift to AI-based video detection, Artes stressed, aligns with this larger vision of a smarter, safer, and more efficient road network for Metro Manila. “This is about making our streets safer and our traffic flow more predictable and efficient — all through intelligent use of technology,” he said.
The MMDA expects to begin implementing the video detection system next year, pending further development and testing.
MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes announced the initiative during a press briefing at the agency’s head office in Pasig City, describing it as a natural progression from the recent rollout of the adaptive traffic signaling system across Metro Manila.
“As we phase in the adaptive signaling system, this innovation represents a major step towards ensuring smooth traffic flow, minimizing road crashes, and optimizing efficiency,” Artes said. “Hopefully, by next year, this innovation will be put into place.”
Currently, the agency is planning to replace the ground loop detectors used in the adaptive signaling system with AI-powered video detectors. According to the MMDA’s Traffic Engineering Center, video-based detection offers several advantages: it is less prone to damage from roadworks, bad weather, or tampering, and it can gather richer data, such as a vehicle’s speed, direction, and even license plate numbers.
Artes also presented to the media a series of videos showing the drawbacks of older traffic systems, such as countdown timers, which he said often encouraged risky behavior from drivers attempting to beat the red light.
Just last week, the MMDA removed traffic signal countdown timers at 96 intersections along Metro Manila’s major roads, fully transitioning to an adaptive signaling system that adjusts in real time to traffic conditions. The removal, implemented by the Traffic Engineering Center, marked another milestone in the agency’s broader effort to modernize traffic management.
The shift to AI-based video detection, Artes stressed, aligns with this larger vision of a smarter, safer, and more efficient road network for Metro Manila. “This is about making our streets safer and our traffic flow more predictable and efficient — all through intelligent use of technology,” he said.
The MMDA expects to begin implementing the video detection system next year, pending further development and testing.
Jul 3, 2025
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