The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) inaugurated on Wednesday, July 12, what It describes as the nerve center of Metro Manila’s major thoroughfares that houses state-of-the-art facilities that include high-definition closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras and intelligent traffic signalization system.
Dubbed as the MMDA Communications and Command Center (CCC), it is considered as the biggest, most advanced, and most cost-effective command center in the country, according to the agency’s chairman Don Artes.
"This is a major step for MMDA to make Metro Manila a safe and smart metropolis by using smart technologies and data analytics to aid the country into its economic development and strengthened security," said Artes during a ceremony attended by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Metro Manila mayors and other top cabinet members.
photo: MMDA
Artes said the MMDA CCC also houses operations center, data center, situation room, viewing room, media room, power room and Hytera radio smart dispatch system with built-in GPS.
Walk around
The Operations Center has an ergonomic console system, environmentally designed wherein ambient noise levels are controlled.
It also has a video wall system up for expansion to accommodate flood control monitoring for Flood Control Information Center (FCIC) Effective Flood Control Operation System (EFCOS) and video feed for body-worn cameras to be used by MMDA traffic enforcers.
Data Center, meanwhile, is a centralized location where information and communication technology equipment is concentrated. It can accommodate 25 server racks in the future.
Leaders and decision-makers can also convene in the MMDA CCC Situation Room in case a major incident, either a man-made or natural hazard disaster happened. Activation of the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC) shall occur if there is an incident involving two or more cities.
photo: MMDA
The MMDA CCC will monitor 403 high tech CCTV cameras installed across critical and major infrastructure projects in the metro (including MMDA pumping stations, bus bays, waterways, Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach) and adaptive and sensor-based traffic lights — both linked through the fiber optic network owned by the agency.
Remote controlling and programming of the intelligent traffic signalization system which features adaptive and sensor-based traffic lights shall also be done in the MMDA CCC.
Another new technology in the MMDA CCC is the Hytera Radio Smart Dispatch System – a dispatch software with built-in global positioning system (GPS) and smart map to locate traffic enforcers real-time and to communicate with other radio users to relay important messages in the field should there be a need to relay an instruction or when an emergency situation occur.
Artes said the inauguration of the MMDA CCC is just the beginning as the agency continues to develop ICT projects for the benefit of Metro Manila residents.
Aiming for more
Among the MMDA’s future plans include installation of 45-kilometer fiber optic cable to be able to integrate NCR LGUs' CCTVs, and procurement of artificial intelligence program with vehicle classification, car counter, license plate, and facial recognition.
License plate recognition feature of the AI program will be used by MMDA for traffic enforcement and management while the facial recognition and behavioral analytics will be used by the Department of Interior and Local Government for crime prevention and resolution.
The agency will likewise procure mobile command center with own satellite internet and remote CCTV capabilities to monitor significant events such as the President’s annual State of the Nation Address and other calamities.
Aside from the technologies housed in the MMDA CCC, the MMDA also procured handheld ticketing devices which can issue and reprint traffic citation tickets, request vehicle towing, and accept online payment in support of the agency’s interconnectivity with the Land Transportation Office for the implementation of the Single Ticketing System.