The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is betting on technological advances to prevent accidents on the Philippines’ highways.
The plan involves online learning, mobile learning, and gamified applications to educate drivers and evaluate their preparedness for driving on Philippine roads.
THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is working on a project to track driver behavior, report erring and abusive ones and train prospective drivers.
The Drivers Roadworthiness Improvement Verification Education and Readiness for the Philippine Logistics Industry (DRIVER PH) project would provide drivers the opportunity to improve their skills as they ply the roads.
DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said, "Researchers aim to integrate various ICT (information and communications technology) concepts, such as gamification, IoT (internet of things), artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics to provide a comprehensive, end-to-end solution to produce roadworthy truck drivers to minimize accidents."
The plan involves online learning, mobile learning, and gamified applications to educate drivers and evaluate their preparedness for driving on Philippine roads.
Sensors will also be placed on vehicles to monitor drivers, assess traffic violations, and evaluate driver competence on the road.
According to Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) Director Enrico Paringit, DOST has provided DRIVER PH with a nearly P5 million grant.
"(The) TIP (Technological Institute of the Philippines) and Quicktrans (Quicktrans Cargo Moving, Inc.) will do it," he said.
In the long run, DOST sees the opportunity of adopting the technology into other sectors including public transport.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) recently launched the Service Contracting Program, as part of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or “Bayanihan 2."
The program is powered by Sakay, a startup company providing app users with directions, commute guides, and route choices.
Under the Service Contracting Program, the government pays drivers a salary covering the cost of service rendered per kilometer instead of following the boundary system.
App users can track jeepneys along their routes and give driver ratings and feedback which will turn into incentives.
The data will also help the government agencies to come up with a scientific evaluation of the level of service, reliability, and efficiency in the country’s public transport system. (HD)