EFFORTS of the National Police’s Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to ease traffic flow on the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) got a boost with the donation by a local app developer, in partnership with a telecommunications provider, Android tablets that would enable HPG personnel to significantly reduce the time to clear the highway after accidents.
Galileo Software Services Inc., which developed the smartphone application called Parak, or Police Accident Report Kit, and partnered with a telecom service provider, donated eight Android tablets embedded with the 3G-enabled application.
The tablets with the Parak app were officially handed to the HPG commander, Chief Supt. Arnold Gunnacao, by Galileo President Jun Lozada.
Six of the tablets would be given to HPG traffic enforcers assigned at the six choke points along Edsa, while the remaining two would be used by roving HPG patrols. “We are grateful to Galileo who came up with this brilliant application to help us manage traffic condition, especially in clearing minor accidents,” Gunnacao said.
Lozada said the donation of the tablets should help the HPG in its determined efforts to rid Edsa of the daily traffic gridlock.
“We acknowledge the dedication and sacrifice of the HPG in helping solve our traffic problem; we are one with them in finding solution to address congestions on our roads,” Lozada added.
Parak application automates the creation of an accident police report, including all the necessary photos that insurance companies require, using the gadget.
Statistics shows that on average, about 25 to 60 vehicular traffic accidents occur daily on Edsa. This inevitably slows down traffic to a crawl, and contributes greatly to the congestion of this crucial urban artery especially during peak hours.
Lozada, said that one of the reasons accidents take longer to be “resolved and reported is that the law requires a police investigator to be at the scene of the accident to write down the report, draw sketches before the involved vehicles can be moved out of traffic.”
The police report and a photo of the incident are basic requirements of insurance companies for insured vehicle owner to file claims should lawsuits involved be pursued.
Lozada, an information-technology engineer, added that it takes about four hours to complete the whole reporting process using the traditional way.
Parak application digitizes the creation of the accident police report. These include generating the photos that insurance companies require, as well as signatures on documents, which can be done on the spot. The HPG can then use the 3G- enabled tablets, which are connected to a central database, to upload all information garnered at the accident site immediately.
“The CHPG traffic law enforcer only has to open the Parak application from the tablet and does not need an Internet connection to document the report, that motorists involved in the accident can sign, which together with the pictures, can be emailed to the insurance company on the spot to file their claim,” Lozada said.
With the Parak application, Lozada said the reporting will be reduced to between four to 10 minutes per accident.