MMDA’s ‘Windows 2’ scheme needs careful study

“MMDA should study carefully if its new Windows 2 software to decongest EDSA traffic would work,” Recto said. (Photo: Sen. Ralph Recto/ Facebook)

MANILA –Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto on Thursday said the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) should carefully study its proposed modified odd-even scheme or “Windows 2” otherwise it might merely transfer the problem and not eliminate it.

Recto made this statement after the MMDA proposed a scheme that makes private vehicles banned for three two-hour intervals along EDSA from Monday to Friday aside from its current number coding scheme.

Vehicles with plates ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9) will be banned from plying EDSA from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

On the other hand, vehicles with plates ending in even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8, 0) will be banned from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“MMDA should study carefully if its new Windows 2 software to decongest EDSA traffic would work,” Recto said.

“One concern about this new MMDA project to declog EDSA is that it might just transfer volume to peripheral streets, minimizing traffic on this main route but creating monstrous jams on secondary streets,” he added.

Recto noted that the public is already “tired of being lurched from one experiment to another.”

The senator meanwhile urged the agency to run tabletop simulations and calculations if it could indeed be the relief needed to ease vehicular congestion.

He said the scheme should also employ algorithms and Big Data in gauging its feasibility.

Moreover, he advised the MMDA to rid Mabuhay Lanes and other roads of obstructions to increase road capacity.

He said that MMDA should also amend its order allowing roadworks and other traffic-causing activities like the repainting of road islands and underpasses, watering of roadside plants, replacement of streetlights only at night, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m..

He also urged the government, particularly the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to devise a Metro Manila traffic abatement master plan covering all sectors to reduce road volume.