CALAX: Zero road fatalities since 2019

Thanks to technology, CALAX has recorded ZERO fatalities since 2019

If you’re a driver and also a motorcycle rider of an expressway-legal motorcycle, I’m sure that you will agree that the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) is one of the most fun to drive expressways close to Metro Manila now, and the safest, too.

According to CALAX, the expressway has recorded ZERO road accident-related casualties since 2019. This fact is largely thanks to superb traffic management and technology.

Safety

Aside from the convenience of traveling, especially for those coming to and from Tagaytay, CALAX has always been very keen on prioritizing its motorist safety — promoting road safety among stakes thru various channels and extending roadside assistance services, shaping it to be the most 'motorist-friendly' expressway in the country. Since it opened in October 2019, there have been zero road crash fatalities on CALAX

MPCALA Holdings Inc. (MHI), the concessionaire of CALAX, continues to invest in various traffic management technologies to help ensure smooth and safe travel for its motorists. This includes barrierless entry, Automatic License Plate Recognition at all toll lanes, variable message sign (VMS) that flashes traffic updates and motorist advisories along the expressway; a weigh-in-motion sensor that allows automatic detection of overloaded vehicles especially trucks and speed-detection cameras for the apprehension of over-speeding vehicles, which will be eventually used for contactless apprehension or NCAP. 

Motorist assistance in just a press of a button

For roadside assistance, motorists can easily connect to its traffic control room with just a press of a button through its emergency call boxes strategically located along the expressway. These emergency call boxes have a built-in loudspeaker, camera, and hearing aids designed for the hearing impaired. 

Aside from the call boxes, motorists can also opt to call for assistance using CALAX’s 24/7 hotline 1-35000 or via the MPT DriveHub app. Customer service agents are also made available via Facebook Messenger and CALAX website. All these channels connect the customers to CALAX Traffic Operations Center.

Just this year alone, CALAX's patrol crew has successfully attended to a total of 634 motorist assistance requests along the expressway. The recorded average response time for attending to traffic incidents is 15 minutes. It led to the team garnering numerous commendations from some of the assisted motorists for its quick and efficient response. 

“In CALAX, the safety of our travelers is on top of our minds. While we assure the quality of our road and our readiness to assist, some vehicular breakdowns are beyond control but most of them are preventable. We continue to remind our motorists to practice checking BLOWBAGETS before traveling and through this become our road safety partners,” said Raul Ignacio, President and GM of MHI.

Use of sustainable technologies to reduce carbon footprint

The management of CALAX also takes pride in using sustainable technologies to reduce their carbon footprint. Earlier this year, their MPT South Hub office was certified LEED Gold. LEED or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a globally recognized symbol of excellence in green building. LEED certification ensures electricity cost savings, lower carbon emissions, and healthier environments where people live, work, learn, play, and worship.

Additionally, all of CALAX’s toll plazas use solar energy for their energy requirements, while a fleet of electric vehicles that include electric patrol cars are already being used by the company.

CALAX is a 45-kilometer high-speed road network connecting the provinces of Cavite and Laguna, targeting to serve approximately 45,000 motorists daily upon its completion. As of today, CALAX operates from Binan, Laguna up to the east of Silang, Cavite. It is set to be fully completed by 2023.  

MPCALA Holdings Inc. is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the biggest toll road developer and operator in the country. Aside from CALAX, MPTC’s domestic portfolio includes the concessions for the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX), the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), NLEX Connector Road, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) in Cebu.