AS IF SPENDING several hours at work or school isn’t exhausting enough, Filipinos also have to deal with the country’s poor transport system. From rampant traffic violations to widespread road accidents, the streets remain dangerous for many commuters.

Despite this, most people still rely on public transportation, as not everyone can afford the comfort of having their own private vehicle. For many, public transport is their only option. To help put a brake on road fatalities, a new project has kickstarted its engine–PASADA.

PASADA champions road safety through modern technology. Derived from PUV’s Patterns and Attitude on the Streets using Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics, this collaborative project of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP), and the National Public Transport Coalition (NPTC) detects high-risk driving behaviors in real time—helping Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers, particularly those operating buses and jeepneys, manage and correct unsafe actions before they lead to casualties.

A ‘STOP SIGN’ TO RISKY DRIVING

Through the years, cases of road fatalities have continued to rise. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported around 11,000 fatalities from road crashes in the Philippines. This increased to more than 12,000 the following year, according to the Philippine Statistics Office (PSO). These are not just numbers. These were lives that the road has taken away from us.

Behind most of these accidents lies a preventable cause: human behavior. Fatigue, tailgating, overspeeding, wrong-way driving, and distractions often go unnoticed until it’s too late. These avoidable road mishaps resulting in irreversible consequences are exactly what the PASADA project aims to prevent.

PASADA operates through modern technologies such as mobile learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and real-time data analytics. To push for smarter drivers, PASADA’s mobile application is equipped with modular delivery of lessons, quizzes, webinars, and gamified assessments that helps prepare drivers to be more roadworthy with just one click. The app also allows the drivers to track road traffic violations and passenger complaints.

PASADA uses IoT devices such as cameras and gyroscopes. These tools help monitor both the vehicle’s surroundings and the driver’s behavior on the road. They capture information like the vehicle’s location, in-vehicle sounds, and driving speed. These data are stored in the cloud and are especially useful in scenarios such as accidents. PASADA’s AI then processes this data to assess driver behavior and competence, identify training needs, and evaluate overall roadworthiness.

With the help of PASADA, the public can be assured that PUV drivers are increasingly equipped, dependable, and most importantly responsible, helping ensure that passengers get home safe and sound.

A ‘GREEN LIGHT’ FOR PROGRESS

This project may be targeted toward drivers, but its benefits can extend to the greater part of a whole.

Millions of Filipinos ride PUVs every day. In Metro Manila alone, nearly 9 million individuals ride jeepneys and 1.8 million ride buses daily, according to a 2021 study. Being an integral part of many commuters’ lives, it is most important that PUV drivers always handle the steering wheel responsibly.

More than just a monitoring system, PASADA is a breakthrough in transportation and research. By integrating modern technologies, the project offers an innovative solution to a long-standing problem. All it needs now is widespread support and recognition.

Maybe then, PASADA can finally help pull the brakes on the country’s ever-rising road accident cases.