Touted by the city’s administrators as the solution to help authorities enforce traffic regulations through the use of advanced traffic management technology, the City of Manila’s No Contact Apprehension Program (NCAP) is a system powered by a network of cutting-edge camera systems powered by computer-vision artificial intelligence is supposed to be efficient and error-free.
The machine-based, and therefore free from as much human error as possible depends on visual inputs from camera images and video. These are then interpreted to identify erring motorists who violate the respective city’s traffic ordinance, all supposedly without the need for enforcers.
Following Parañaque’s example
Motivated by the achievements of NCAP in Parañaque City, the City of Manila hopes to replicate this success starting by addressing the concerns motorists, like those of Sir Jimmy. By improving public awareness for both these system and traffic regulations it will invariably implement, NCAP is said to promote road safety thereby saving lives.
Apart from Parañaque, and now in Manila, NCAP is also fully implemented Valenzuela. According to observations, there are and more local government units (LGUs) are taking notice of the positive impact of NCAP and are following suit in implementing the same scheme in their respective localities.
Mayor Isko Moreno during the launch of NCAP in Manila said that the system will actually help everyone passing by the city in the future because it will prevent common issues like clogging of intersections and overspeeding. On the first day of the test run in December, some 700 motorists violating rules were listed in a matter of 24 hours only.
“We appeal to those passing by roads in Manila to cooperate fully because…these NCAP cameras will be at work,” Domagoso said citing the system as a practical and suitable long-term solution to reduce road congestion, instill discipline, and promote public health and safety.
A help to businesses
As businesses start to reopen after a year-long pandemic, it is very timely for the City Government of Manila to adopt NCAP as a solution to the demands of contactless traffic enforcement to safeguard motorists and traffic enforcers from the spread of COVID-19.
The growing population and accelerating urbanization translated to increased movement of people and vehicles plying to and from Manila. Consistent with Manila’s goal of “making smart cities happen”, NCAP is a proven solution to complement the City’s overall digital transformation and aspiration to be a self-reliant community.
How does NCAP work?
The system utilizes high-resolution Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled cameras that capture violations committed by motorists.
“Our technology uses automated plate number recognition (APNR) system that captures the plate number of an erring vehicle. The registered owner is verified through our seamless connectivity with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) database. Once validated, Notice of Violation (NoV) is created and approved by the Manila Traffic & Parking Bureau (MTPB) of the City of Manila which contains pertinent information of the traffic violation. An online link of the video is likewise provided should the violator wish to see the actual footage of the violation,” a press statement from NCAP listed.
In the case of public utility vehicles, who has the liability?
Based on the Civil Code, operators of public utility vehicles are considered as “common carriers” and must exercise extraordinary diligence in their operations to safely carry their passengers at all times. Such obligation to exercise the diligence of a “good father of a family” extends to the selection and supervision of its drivers. For this reason, public utility operators are solidarily liable for damages caused by their drivers in the wrongful operation of their vehicles.
As operators of public transport, it is their primary duty to screen and employ highly qualified drivers who went through rigorous selection, hiring, and training. Thus, only qualified drivers who are knowledgeable of the traffic rules and regulations should be deployed.
The operator or owner of the vehicle is ultimately accountable for the action of the driver.
In cases wherein the owner is not the one driving the vehicle, the latter may nominate the driver by proceeding to the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) at the Manila City Hall and show as evidence the following documents together with the NOV; an accomplished complaint form; a notarized Affidavit of the driver acknowledging the violation; and a photocopy of the driver’s license of the driver that was operating the vehicle.
“A driver/owner has five business days to address the violation from the date of receipt of the NoV. If the driver/owner fails to address the violation within the allotted number of days, the registered owner shall be held liable and such amount shall be demandable upon him/her,” the ordinance listed.
What are the common violations and how to challenge an apprehension
Violators are sent the NoV via Philpost or courier service indicating the settlement procedures. They have the option to contest the violation and go through the adjudication process with the Traffic Adjudication Board under Manila’s Traffic Management Bureau led by its assigned representative.
Violations can be checked through this website: https://nocontact.manilacity.ph , while further inquiries regarding the NoV, can. Be done through Manila’s NCAP hotline number at +632 8353 7171 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm from Mondays through Fridays.
Common violations captured include counterflow driving, disobedience to traffic control signals and signs, obstruction of the pedestrian lane, driving over a yellow box, driving over the speed limit, reckless driving, failure to wear the prescribed seat belt, failure to use motorcycle helmets, violations listed in the Anti-Distracted Driving law, driving an unregistered vehicle, failure to attach or improper attachment/tampering of authorized vehicle license plate and/or third plate sticker, disregarding lane markings
