Automotive

Fort’s Radar-powered Traffic Speed Detection

Abe Olandres May 4, 2010 · 1 min read

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I’ve seen this for over a month now every time I go to the Fort Bonifacio Global City and at first I thought it was nothing but then I encountered several motorists being flagged down by traffic enforcers.

Turns out those LED signs aren’t measuring the air temperature but the speed of cars passing by the monitors. If you’re not familiar with how they look like, here’s a photo I took today.

The usual speed limits are 40kmph and 50 kmph. The LED signages will show the current speeds of approaching vehicles. If there are multiple cars coming in at the same time, it tracks the one with the fastest speed.

The LEDs will turn red if you crossed the speed limit. If you’re in luck, a traffic enforcer will come out of hiding and flag you down. If not, he’ll radio your car plates to the others on the next traffic stop. The damage — Php1,000 for violating the speed limit.

The problem though is that 40kmph might be too slow to maintain and that the radar might not be able to accurately measure the speed. Get past the limit by just 5kmph and you’re it.

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Abe Olandres

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Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

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37 Comments

download far cry 3 · 13 years ago

Having read this I believed it was really enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this short
article together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and
leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

mike · 16 years ago

saw one of these before along the main ave.(the one exiting c5 and edsa), but it was placed near a construction/obstacle on the road, so it was understandable. funny this is i was sure i approached it at around 60-70kph but since mas marami sa harap ko na kotse, di nagregister speed ko, so when i was the one passing thru it read around 40kph nalang, after that pedal to the floor ulit haha :P

at least now i know they’ve scattered these around Fort ;)

and to the guy with all caps in his posts, easy lang pre, you sound as if you own the place. people pass through in terms of convenience.

and if the Fort authorities will be implementing these, they should be informing the public via signs, etc. so as to avoid any unecessary “resistance” from motorists; also i don’t believe in the “its our policy” bullcrap, things should be transparent. well that my 2 cents

driftracer85 · 16 years ago

Easy – Step on the GAS, not the BRAKE. If you have NOS, go for it. Hahahaha. What can they do? They can’t place a hold order on your license. They confiscate licenses simply because they want to ensure the fines are paid.

These enforces are just like security guards. Keyword – PRIVATE. All issues are kept within their grounds.

NEXUS · 16 years ago

THEN IF YOU THINK YOU CAN PURSUE COMPLAIN, YOU ADDRESS THEM TO PROPER AUTHORITIES.. YOUR BLOG COMPLAINTS WILL NOT HOLD WATER..

OR ABIDE WITH BGC REGULATION..KUNG AYAW MO HUWAG KA DUMAAN!!!

NEXUS · 16 years ago

COMMONSENSE, IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE REGULATION, IF YOU CAN’T FOLLOW..THEN DON’T PASS THRU!!! THATS IT. IF YOU DON’T WANT YOUR CARS TICKETED FOR ILLEGAL PARKING THEN DON’T PARK IN BGC. SIMPLE!!! USE YOUR HEADS!!!

BGC IS A PRIVATE PROPERTY..ROADS ARE PRIVATE..

USE OTHER ROAD NETS, LIKE KALAYAAN, C5, EDSA..SIMPLE!!!

NEXUS · 16 years ago

TO ALL OF YOU, WHO KEEPS ON COMPLAINING ABOUT BGC TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT–WHY THE HELL ARE YOU PASSING THRU?!!!! USE OTHER ROADS!!!

BGC IS A PRIVATE PROPERTY, AND THE LAWS AND REGULATION SHOULD BE ABIDED… IF YOU CONTINUE VIOLATING.THEN YOULL BE APPREHENDED.

ITS A PROMISE!!!!

tony · 16 years ago

Yes, I have rode past their radar many times.
However, the speedo on your car/bike is never accurate. It usually is over what you are actually doing. It is mandated in law that your speedo can’t show below your actual speed so companies make it between 3 – 9 km above it to be on the safe side.
On top of that, most police set a 10% gap above the speed limit to be certain there are no mistakes. I hope the Fort “police” are reading this. :)

RG · 16 years ago

I was at the Fort last week visiting a friend. I parked just outside his building and went in for five minutes. Mind you, his building is somewhere in the outskirts of The Fort and very much distant from the malls and restaurants.

Next thing you know, the Fort Traffic police came. My friend’s car was parked while the driver was beside the vehicle and his license was confiscated. There were about three officers in motorcycles complete with a pickup van. It felt like it was a stakeout.

On the other hand, I was already inside the car, was stopped by the officer and my license was confiscated. P400 to get my license at lower bicutan.

Here’s the problem: There were no signs along the street saying that we could not park there. They said it was their policy. I would understand it if I violated a policy if there were signs. But there weren’t a single one.

Are we to just assume that these rules exist?
Will the absence of these signs be abused?
Can they just make up their own rules on the spot simply because there are no signs to remind us normal powerless folks?

If the officials of the Fort will implement rules, why not have them posted on signs. 40kph speed limit. No parking. Basic common sense and common courtesy.

I do understand that ignorance of the law excuses no one. But “laws” like these should at least be posted in obvious fashion.

With the P400 I paid, I felt I was robbed. And I thought Makati was strict. At least they have signs.

Teknisyan · 16 years ago

Even my bike can have a speed of 45 kph.. I think there is something behind the 40 kph speed limit.

smells fishy!!!

Eugene · 16 years ago

I pass by BGC everyday to work and I am irritated with the 40kph speed limit. It’s too slow! I’m glad that they raised it up to 50kph this week as evidenced by the green 43 number in your photo and by the recently put-up signs along the entrances to BGC.

Still, I prefer that they take Ayala Alabang Village’s approach: 60kph on main streets and 40kph on all other streets. 50kph is still a bit too slow for my taste.

Rommel A. · 16 years ago

Hmmm, this reminds me driving in Australia where almost all roads have hidden speed cameras. If the street signs says 60 kph, you have to try not over speeding 60kph (or the speed cameras will catch you), if not expect a letter of violation sent by the State Transport dept with a fine of ranging from Au$150-200,thats a stiff penalty.

markmarcelo0210 · 16 years ago

I think the speed limit is already 50km/h not 40.

When I pass that detector this morning I was running 45 km/h but its still green. Many complained about the low speed limit being implemented inside Global City.

Fleeb · 16 years ago

If they give an allowance of 5 km/h, they would probably set the limit to 35 km/h so you would not go beyond 40 km/h.

Ed P · 16 years ago

The first day they had these, i was making a left turn in the morning. i was the only person on the road and i saw them with their radar from a mile away.. so i drive about 35 and as i approached, i saw them looking at me. one guy signals to the other to stop me. as he signals, he then turns to look at the speed. so basically, he stopped me before checking the speed. i told him i was going 35-38 and that i saw him from a mile (kilometer) away. he said i was going 58! SERIOUS?! nothing makes me more mad than “traffic enforcers” in manila. in exchange for every BS ticket i get, i should have the right to slap them in the face! Elections coming up – make it a law!