Smart cameras installed on M.J. Cuenco

Two newly installed 360-degree cameras at the intersection on M.J. Cuenco Ave. in Cebu City will start capturing data on traffic violators on Dec. 1.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña signed on behalf of the City Government the memorandum of agreement with Dyna-Tech and Lite-On on Thursday, Nov. 15.

Leotek Electronics Corp., a subsidiary of Lite-On Technology Corp., is known for manufacturing light-emitting diode (LED) products used for traffic and transit LED signal modules, general illumination and commercial signage.

The intelligent traffic system includes non-contact apprehension, detection of traffic violation through high-resolution closed-circuit TV cameras and facial recognition of traffic violators.

The American-Taiwanese firm will conduct a 60day experiment on non-contact apprehension of traffic violators at no cost to the City Government.

The cameras were installed last Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the intersection near the Carreta Cemetery. The site was chosen as the pilot area since it is one of the busiest in the city.

Open to unsolicited proposals

Osmeña, in an interview, said the technology might be expanded to cover the whole city, depending on the results of the evaluation.

“We have to have them install it so that we can actually see how we can apply it to our local situation. This is like a trial marriage. If it works, we will do it,” he said.

The mayor stressed that the City will also accept unsolicited proposals from other interested firms that will offer similar or other technologies on traffic management.

In a separate interview, Leotek general manager David Yeh assured that all the data gathered during the experiment will be protected, and that only those authorized can access it.

Last Nov. 6, opposition Councilor Joy Pesquera raised concerns on the matter, saying there should be a proper security clause on the access and ownership of the data gathered during the course of the experiment.