Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
Paige Fitzgerald
The Connected Citizens Program
The Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC), the operator of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), announced last December 2nd its partnership with Waze to provide free, real-time traffic reports at the integrated expressways.
Dubbed the “Waze Connected Citizens Program”, this allows motorists, in real time to monitor actual road activity, increasing safety and will improve traffic flow and will aid motorists in making decisions during their drive.
“This program is in line with MNTC’s commitment to enhance the traveling experience of motorists by providing updated and accurate information via Waze platform,” said MNTC President Rodrigo E. Franco.
The partnership with Waze gives MNTC access to real time Waze-user generated reports on traffic jams, incidents and in return the tollway operator will deliver periodic updates on road repairs, constructions, and closures as well as give information on major events and inclement weather conditions along NLEX-SCTEX.
“Waze is only as strong as the information it receives from its users and partners,” said Paige Fitzgerald, Head of Data Acquisition at Waze. “No one knows more about what is happening on the roads than Wazers, and MNTC will be able to use these anonymous insights to further promote safer roads. In exchange, MNTC is providing critical road closure and incident data to Waze, helping Wazers better circumvent major traffic events and real-time traffic blocks.”
Wazers can send messages to MNTC as they show up as a regular user with the official name “mntc_editor” if it pops up as they travel through NLEX and SCTEX.
MNTC will also integrate Waze data streams into it’s traffic monitoring and management through a WAZE Traffic View Tool located in the NLEX Traffic Control Room. Using information gathered from this, MNTC can send updates to Wazers on NLEX and SCTEX and it gives The Connected Citizens program even more information for traffic management, resulting in safer and more enjoyable travel for motorists.
by Neil Pagulayan