As part of the Smart Mobility System, an initiative spearheaded by Medellín’s Department of Traffic and Transportation, 22 high-tech screens are being installed on some of the city’s busiest streets.

The goal is to keep citizens informed, in real time, about events that could have some effect on traffic flow and help them make wiser decisions about which roads to take at certain times of day. Testing will begin in late February and the screens should be fully operational by March.

On Monday, February 1st, a new rotation system begins for the Pico y Placa measure for private vehicles and motorcycles. Changes will begin with a two-week educational period but infractors caught during restricted times will still be pulled over and held until their deadline. According to interim Transportation Secretary,Carlos Andres Perez, it’s estimated that the measure takes some 290.000 vehicles off of Medellín’s roads in the restricted time frames. The new rotation will remain in place until August of 2010.