Introduction & Importance of

Transportation

Synch. Disc. 01

CE 312, Highway and Railroad Engineering 08/28/2020

Saint Louis College, College of Engineering & Architecture
MPV Follosco
Instructor
Introduction

Transportation is essential for a nation’s development and growth. In both the Candaba Viaduct
(topgear.com.ph)

public and private sector, opportunities for engineering careers in transportation

are exciting and rewarding. Elements are constantly being added to the world’s
highway, rail, airport, and mass transit systems, and new techniques are being applied
for operating and maintaining the systems safely and economically.

Many organizations and agencies exist to plan, design, build, operate, and maintain the nation’s transportation
system.

--Traffic and Highway Engineering;

Garber and Hoel
The Importance of Transportation

 Tapping natural resources and markets and maintaining a competitive edge over other
regions and nations are linked closely to the quality of the transportation system

The speed, cost, and capacity of available transportation have a significant impact on the
economic vitality of an area and the ability to make maximum use of its natural
Resources

Countries that lack an abundance of natural resources rely heavily on transportation in order to import raw
materials and export manufactured products.

--Traffic and Highway Engineering;

Garber and Hoel
Transportation & Economic Growth

 Good transportation, in and of itself, will not assure success in the marketplace, as the availability of
transportation is a necessary but insufficient condition for economic growth

However, the absence of supportive transportation services will serve to limit or hinder the potential for a nation
or region to achieve its economic potential

--Traffic and Highway Engineering;

Garber and Hoel
History of Highways in the Philippines

 Early 1900 – transportation depended largely on trails, waterways, railroad, earth-roads

and partially-graveled roads. “Highway was a dream to most Filipinos”

 American government initiated the development of roadways in the Philippines,

connecting towns cities, and provinces.

Macadam Road
(Wikipedia)

--Elements of Roads and Highways;

Fajardo
History of Highways in the Philippines

 After World War II – Philippine government continued to rehabilitate and construct roads
and bridges

 Some 50 yrs post WWII – major highways and expressways were considered

 1960s to 1980s – automobile age; government slogan “The nation is on Wheels.”

--Elements of Roads and Highways;

Fajardo
Planning Difficulties

 Financial
 Political
 Technical

--Elements of Roads and Highways;

Fajardo
Planning Difficulties [Engineers: Technical]

 Advancement of knowledge in the field of:

 Soils Engineering (Geotechnical Engineering)
 Highway Materials
 Construction Management (incl. equipment development)
 Design Methods

--Elements of Roads and Highways;

Fajardo
 Planning Difficulties [Engineers: Technical]

Improvement of roadside:

1. Erosion control
 Considerations for Design
 Cost
2. Noise abatement

 Safe New Challenges:

 Useful and Attractive
1. Hazard Mitigation

2. Maintenance work
and protocols

--Elements of Roads and Highways; 3. Cost-effectiveness

Fajardo
 Bohol Earthquake, 2013

Magsaysay Bridge, Dagupan City 1990

Port
congestion,
Port of
Manila

Transport
congestion,
NLEX pavement maintenance Nikkei Asia