Real-time big data helps manage traffic in the Philippines

OpenTraffic uses data from a ride-share service to help government agencies manage traffic flow.

Big data has proved incredibly useful for those organizing the flow of people or vehicles. We have already seen it used for better urban planning, and in airports and on New Zealand’s roads. Now, in the Philippines, the ride-hailing platform Grab has launched OpenTraffic, in collaboration with the World Bank and the Department of Transportation and Communications, which provides real-time data to help manage traffic flow in 30 Southeast Asian cities.

Grab already has access to masses of data through its drivers’ GPS data. It will now be using that information to provide real-time travel time estimates and information about traffic incidents and weather problems. The information will be available on the open platform OpenTraffic and 200 staff at the Philippine National Police, the Metro Manila Development Authority and the Department of Public Works and Highways, have already been trained to use it.

Could similar initiatives work in other regions?