Nelson Morales

Article (news)

Train tracker

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769234768790train tracker inventor.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Clyde Sanmig Corpuz, a De La Salle University -Manila Mechanical Engineering graduate shows his handheld GPS-based device that shows real-time train station updates. Handout"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Clyde Sanmig Corpuz, a De La Salle University -Manila Mechanical Engineering graduate shows his handheld GPS-based device that shows real-time train station updates. Handout</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Many Metro Manila commuters experience daily uncertainty when riding the LRT or MRT such as counting stations, scanning small signs, or asking strangers if they are already near their stop.</p><p>This routine commuter confusion inspired Clyde Sanmig Corpuz, a De La Salle University -Manila Mechanical Engineering graduate specializing in Mechatronics, to develop a handheld GPS-based passenger information display system for LRT -1, LRT-2, and MRT that provides real-time station updates, train direction, and door-opening cues.</p><div><strong>Lifelong commuters frustration</strong></div><p>Corpuz has ridden Metro Manila trains since he was a child, witnessing both the developments and the gaps of the country’s rail system.</p><p>‘’Ever since bata ako, commuter na ako. I&#x27;ve been commuting and using the trains, as a regular commuter, na-experience ko everyday kapag may mga problems o yung mga kulang talaga sa systems natin,’’ Corpuz recalled.</p><p>Those gaps often show in fellow passengers, as Corpuz is frequently approached during his daily commute by people unsure on which platform to take, where to transfer, or even what station they are in.</p><p>“Minsan nga nakakagulat kasi even sa baba ng station, sa pinaka-base sa MRT ako noon, tinanong pa nga ako kung anong station na ba daw ’to. Kasi siguro kulang yung mga signages sa baba. Hindi nila alam,” he added.</p><div><strong>Influence on the solution</strong></div><p>The idea was put into action after Corpuz saw a concept art of passenger information displays shared by rail enthusiasts on Facebook and his commuting experiences abroad.</p><p>‘’May nakita akong post sa Facebook sa isang group ng mga rail fans, yung mga mahilig sa tren, yung mga concept art of passenger information displays, and sa experience ko, I was fortunate na nakapag-abroad ako multiple times, nakita ko na may mga ganito sa ibang bansa, but anong meron, bakit wala tayo ng ganito sa bansa?’’ he said.</p><p>Travelling in Japan and South Korea, Corpuz noticed how even first-time passengers could navigate train systems with ease.</p><p>“What stood out wasn’t just the hardware. It was the layout and design of their information systems,’ he explained.</p><p>“Kasi compared mo sa ibang bansa, yung buong system nila, kahit iba-ibang linya, alam mo na agad kung paano gamitin. Sobrang dali niyang maintindihan kasi lahat ng mga signage, standard. Standard yung size, standard yung color, yung mga text, kung paano naka-arrange yung information. Sobrang laking bagay noon in making the system easier to understand para sa mga commuters.” he added. </p><p>This pushed him to start the project, not just as a hobby, but as an attempt to explore how such systems could realistically work in the country’s setting.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769234881450MRT train tracker.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Clyde Sanmig Corpuz, a De La Salle University -Manila Mechanical Engineering graduate says his device helps commuters know which train station which is next. Handout"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Clyde Sanmig Corpuz, a De La Salle University -Manila Mechanical Engineering graduate says his device helps commuters know which train station which is next. Handout</span></span></span></div><div><strong>How the GPS-based system works</strong></div><p>Corpuz admits explaining the system can be tricky, but the concept is simple, as it compares the train’s GPS location and speed with publicly available station coordinates to determine where the train is along the line.</p><p>‘’Yung device ko, ginagamit niya yung GPS para malaman niya kung nasaan siya, pati yung speed niya. Doon niya nalalaman kung saan station na yung device para mapakita niya yung information ng station. Publicly accessible yung location niya, pagpumunta ka sa Google Maps, may coordinates doon. Kinocompare niya lang kung malapit na siya doon sa coordinates na ‘yon, tapos ‘yon yung naka-relates kung anong station na siya.’’ he explained. </p><p>He also said that the prototype can also be improved and expanded to include station layouts showing stairs, escalators, and elevators.</p><p>His development began around late November and was completed by mid-December, taking less than a month showing that this kind of initiative is achievable with accessible tools and a clear purpose.</p><p>Moreover, beyond convenience, Corpuz believes the system can significantly improve accessibility.</p><p>‘’Let&#x27;s look at it sa perspective ng mga PWDs, yung mga deaf and hard of hearing, karamihan ng mga announcements sa loob ng trend, kahit sa mga platforms, they&#x27;re all verbal. So, may mga mic, may megaphone sila. Pero, as someone who&#x27;s deaf hindi mo yun maintindihan’’ he explained.</p><p>He also added that visual components ensure announcements are accessible to everyone, reducing stress for elderly passengers and sparing tired workers and students from constantly tracking stations.</p><div><strong>Looking ahead </strong></div><p>Corpuz is currently improving the prototype to meet operational standards and working with others to expand the system, with plans to install station displays showing train arrival times, which are similar to airport boards that will help commuters decide before entering crowded platforms.</p><p>For policymakers, his message is clear, ‘’I really feel there should be an increased focus on what others may consider as or what we would normally consider as ‘’small things.’’ ’ he said.</p><p>“Yung mga public information systems, yung standardization of signages, making sure that the signages are adequate, yung mga accessibility devices and displays, pati yung mga infrastructure, – yung mga elevators, escalators. Kasi itong mga ‘to, they&#x27;re a really great help in making the travel easier, less confusing, and less stressful for us, commuters’’ he stated.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y7tTImZeFtI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div>

<p>Travelling in Japan and South Korea, Corpuz noticed how even first-time passengers could navigate train systems with ease.</p>

Travelling in Japan and South Korea, Corpuz noticed how even first-time passengers could navigate train systems with ease.

Fresh grad develops GPS-based system to ease LRT, MRT confusion

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Fresh grad develops GPS-based system to ease LRT, MRT confusion

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern,

Virla Limbo

Published January 25, 2026 09:00 AM PHT

Read More:

Filipino inventor

GPS

train station tracker

LRT-1

LRT-2

MRT-3

Clyde Sanmig Corpuz

DLSU

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