Repeated rotational brownouts are taking a toll on some of Mandaue City’s aging traffic lights, adding to problems already affecting signal visibility and reliability at several intersections.
Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) head Hyll Retuya said the system provider had informed the agency that frequent power interruptions have damaged components of some older traffic light units.
Retuya said the computer boxes of the older system were not designed to withstand repeated power interruptions.
The city’s existing traffic lights also remain fully dependent on electricity, with no solar-powered backup system.
When brownouts occur, TEAM deploys personnel to affected intersections to manually manage traffic and assist motorists.
The power interruptions have compounded the deterioration of traffic lights that have been operating for more than a decade.
Retuya said some older units remain operational but have signal lights that are no longer as visible as before. Other units occasionally blink, prompting TEAM to keep personnel on standby at intersections where the equipment is experiencing problems.
The city has identified traffic lights requiring rehabilitation and is prioritizing those in the worst condition.
Rehabilitation is expected to begin next year, with initial work potentially covering traffic lights along Ouano Avenue, Maguikay, Seno Highway and Banilad.
Retuya said the city has been setting aside funds for traffic light rehabilitation for about three years. The entire rehabilitation program is estimated to cost around P63 million.
The work will be carried out in phases rather than completed in a single rollout.
While older signals are being lined up for rehabilitation, the city is also prioritizing the installation of new traffic lights at the E.O. Perez and C.D. Seno intersections, which currently have no traffic signals.
Mandaue has also begun installing newer traffic light systems equipped with artificial intelligence technology. One such system has been installed at the intersection of U.N. Avenue and M.C. Briones Street.
Older installations will continue to be rehabilitated based on their condition and the city’s phased implementation program.
Photo courtesy of Reader’s Digest
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