How would you fix Metro Manila's traffic problems? Let us know!

Metro Manila's daily commuters have long been a patient lot when it comes to the metropolis' transportation woes. But with things coming to a head recently—no thanks to train breakdowns, frequent floods, and a burgeoning population—the megacity's over 11 million strong population grows increasingly desperate for change.

 

A public, "town hall"-esque dialogue on potential traffic solutions has been a long time in coming, but here it is: on Tuesday, July 28, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Ateneo de Manila University, and the University of the Philippines will be holding "Be Road Smart."

 

The summit is free and open to everyone. An important highlight of the event is an open call for proposals from the public on how to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila. This is free and open to the public.

 

DOST-PCIEERD executive director and GMA News' IM Ready consultant Dr. CP David has called on the public to attend the event or, if unable, to post their insights and suggestions in the comments section of this article.

 

"We want to hear solution proposals not just from traffic experts but from the riding public and those that spend more than two hours in traffic everyday," David told GMA News Online.

 

"The DOST-PCIEERD will implement programs based on suggestions that will be put forward during the summit."

 

 

"Once and for all, let's tackle the traffic issue head-on. we've made great strides in high-level research such as in genomics, disaster preparedness, semiconductors, and electronics. We're even set to launch our very own microsatellite into space by 2017! And yet we havent solved the traffic problem in our own front yard," David added.

 

The Be Road Smart traffic summit brings together six experts from government, the academe and private sector to discuss three key issues on traffic, namely:

 

1. mass transportation

2. road discipline

3. infrastructure and vehicle volume

 

Novel solutions will also be discussed, including the DOST's proposed "road train."

The "Be Road Smart" summit is part of the DOST's annual National Science and Technology Week celebrations, launched on July 24. — GMA News