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Starting today, motorists and commuters can now have fast and real-time traffic updates from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino today announced that the Metro Manila Traffic Navigator system is now in place to provide the public reliable and real-time traffic information via the Internet.

“The public can now directly access our traffic information system through the Internet to get current information on the traffic condition of the routes they plan to take,” Tolentino said.

“They are empowered to make informed decisions on where to pass to get to their final destination, avoiding areas that are heavily congested.”

The Metro Manila Traffic Navigator project was developed under a public-private partnership between the MMDA and TV5 network, and is the first intelligent traffic system in the country.

Tolentino said the MMDA’s Traffic Navigator Team, composed of six members and a team leader, is now on duty 24/7 at the agency’s Metrobase.

This team will operate and maintain the digitized traffic information database.

Initially, the Traffic Navigator will cover Edsa (from Balintawak to Mall of Asia), C-5 road (from Market!Market! to Libis flyover), SLEX (from Nichols to Alabang Exit), Roxas Boulevard (from Coastal Road to Anda Circle), Quezon Avenue (from Philcoa to Mayon Street), and España (from Welcome Rotunda to Lerma).

“We are adding Ortigas Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, and Marcos Highway soon, and possibly the city streets, in coordination with the local government units, in the near future,” Tolentino pointed out.

The system relies primarily on the MMDA closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) to get the traffic situation in an area, supported by reports sent in by traffic enforcers in the field, especially in areas where there are no surveillance cameras.

Tolentino said the Navigator does not require Global Positioning System (GPS) for accurate data–users only need an Internet connection to access it.

The Navigator can be accessed through the MMDA website mmda.gov.ph or through TV5’sinteraksyon.com.

The MMDA chief added the Traffic Navigator is a useful tool for the public to plan their trips accordingly and to save fuel and time.

“They can now avoid heavy-traffic areas, which will be a great help for us to decongest the roads,” Tolentino said.