Accuracy of new MMDA digital travel boards along EDSA a work in progress

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) newly-installed LED screens along the northbound lane of EDSA displaying estimated travel times has room for improvement.

In an Unang Balita report by Mark Salazar on Tuesday, he tested the accuracy of the estimated time of arrival (ETA) from EDSA-Guadalupe in Makati City to North Avenue in Quezon City. He also used the Waze app for comparison.

The GMA News crew cab left Guadalupe at 2:34 p.m. Based on the MMDA's 38-minute travel time estimate, the team expected to reach North Avenue at more or less 3:14 p.m., according to Salazar’s report.

While in transit, Salazar checked the Waze data, which showed that for the 9.3-kilometer trip to North Avenue, they would arrive at 3:19 p.m.—a few minutes longer than the MMDA's projection.

The MMDA’s estimate proved inaccurate. By 3:14 p.m., the GMA News team had only reached Camp Crame, ultimately arriving at North Avenue at 3:29 p.m.

The actual travel time was 53 minutes—15 minutes longer than the MMDA’s 38-minute estimate.

Some motorists noted that travel times still depend heavily on actual traffic conditions.

“‘Yung estimated time ng arrival, hindi ako nag-aano doon kasi depende ‘yun e. Kung ano mismo ‘yung actual na sitwasyon doon sa kalsada,” said Victor, a motorist.

(I don't really rely on the estimated time of arrival because it varies. It depends on the actual situation on the road.)“Ay, kailangan mo na lang po na habaan ‘yung oras na, agahan mo po nang alis sa bahay,” added Ruel, another driver.

(You just have to allow more travel time and leave home earlier.)

Currently, the MMDA’s LED travel information boards are still in the testing phase and are not yet displayed on EDSA’s southbound lanes.

“‘Yung estimated time of arrival, gets ko ‘yun para ano. Pero mas maganda siyempre, ang solusyunan mo is ‘yung actual na traffic kasi ‘yun naman talaga ‘yung main na problem eh,” Victor said.

(I get the purpose of showing the estimated time of arrival. But of course, it would be better if they solved the actual traffic, because that's really the main problem.) —RF, GMA News