Module 1-Introduction To Highways and Railroad Engineering

Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: IM-HR ENG-1STSEM-2021-2022
College of Engineering
Bayombong Campus
DEGREE PROGRAM BSCE COURSE NO. HR ENG

SPECIALIZATION SE/CEM/TE/WRE COURSE TITLE Highway and Railroad Engineering
YEAR LEVEL 3rd TIME FRAME 3 WK NO. IM NO. 1
I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE
Introduction to Highways and Railroad Engineering
II. LESSON TITLE
Introduction to Highways and Railroad Engineering
III. LESSON OVERVIEW
I. Introduction
a. Background
i. Road Transport Network
ii. Public Transportation
iii. Traffic Management
iv. Pedestrian Facilities
v. Vehicle Registration
vi. Insurances
vii. Driving License
viii. Driving Apprehensions
ix. Driving Schools
x. Traffic Enforcement
xi. Legislative Framework
b. Transportation and Traffic Engineering Practice
i. Definitions
ii. Traffic Engineering in the Philippines
IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES
 To determine the basic concepts about the road system and its network
 To determine the basic concepts of highways and railroad transportation
 To determine the basic concepts of Traffic Engineering
V. LESSON CONTENT
Introduction
The Philippines is an archipelagic country consisting of more than 7,500 islands. With a total land
area of about 300,000 sq. km, it has 81 provinces, 136 cities, and 1,494 municipalities (NSCB 2007).
Whereas, Metro Manila is the seat of the government and the primary center of business and trade of
Luzon, and mostly the country. Other urban centers include the major cities of Cebu, in Visayas Region,
and Davao, in the Mindanao region.
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Road Transport Network
Some 80 percent of domestic passenger traffic and 60

percent of freight traffic currently use the road, and 75 percent
of government expenditures on transport infrastructure goes
to road systems 9Abueva 2004). The Philippines has a total
road length of about 161,000 km, with an average road
density of 0.53 km/sq. km or 2.35 km per 1,000 people.
Philippine roads are mostly made of concrete pavement. Due

to heavy, overloaded trucks, pavements are often damaged,
a factor that contributes to traffic accidents. Due to a long
rainy season, floods occur throughout the Philippines,
Floodwaters often cause damage to road pavements due to
inadequate drainage. There are about 11,500 bridges in the
national network (measuring about 335,500 lineal meters), of
which 1,700 bridges are temporary (DPWH 2004).
Metro Manila has a total road length of about 4,800 km. The
major arterial roads form circumferential and radial patterns,
although road expansion is seen toward the north and south
directions, following the development of Metro Manila. Figure 1.2 shows the major road network of Metro
Manila with daily traffic.
Many of the roads have reached their capacity. Due to traffic congestion, the average travel speed is
estimated to be as low as 14 kph, with roughly one-third of the travel time wasted as idle time (Sigua
1997). A typical urban travel in Metro Manila is shown in figure 1.3. According to the 2000 study of the
University of the Philippines National Center for Transportation Studies, traffic congestion in Metro Manila
has caused more than P101 billion in losses. The condition of the roads in Metro Manila is generally good
while it is poorer outside the metropolis.
Public Transportation
The mode of public transportation in Metro Manila is predominantly road-based, consisting largely of
jeepneys and buses for primary and secondary routes, and motorized tricycles and pedicabs for feeder
routes. There are about 330 bus routes and 600 jeepney routes. These routes include those serving the
adjoining areas of Metro Manila. The jeepneys cover more than 610 km of roads while buses operate
mainly on about 350 km of roads. (ALMEC Corp 1999). During rush hours, the inadequate provision of
public transportation becomes apparent. Many commuters can be seen standing on the carriageway
while waiting for buses and jeepneys. Passengers clinging to anything at the back of jeepneys are a
common sight.
Traffic Management
Traffic control devices such as traffic signs and markings generally follow the international standard, the
Philippines being a signatory to the Vienna Convention in 1968. However, many of the signs installed
conform neither to color nor shape as provided for in the standard. The number of traffic signs installed
is generally insufficient. In highly urbanized areas, these signs can hardly be recognized, much less read,
as they compete with giant billboards in terms of visibility and craftsmanship.
Traffic signals are commonly installed at major intersections in many cities and towns in the Philippines
although the number is still inadequate. Oftentimes, these signals do not provide display phase exclusive
for pedestrians. In Metro Manila, there is a growing concern about the safety of pedestrians due to the
closure of intersections and with the U-turn slot scheme replacing the control of traffic signals.
Pedestrians have practically no opportunity to cross the road because of the “uninterrupted” flow of traffic.
Without traffic signals controlling the traffic flow at intersections, driving has become riskier because of
frequent swerving/weaving. There is an urgent need to evaluate the effectiveness of the scheme, which
has the sole purpose of improving speed along the arterials without consideration of safety
Pedestrian Facilities
Sidewalks are in relatively good condition; however, many obstructions can be found on them such as
illegal vendors, electrical posts, police outpost, etc. With the sidewalk occupied, pedestrians have to walk
on the carriageway. There are still very few overhead pedestrian bridges even in Metro Manila and at
places where these have been constructed, pedestrians still prefer to risk their lives or limbs by crossing
the road at grade level. Moreover, pedestrian overpasses are often inaccessible to the elderly and the
handicapped.
Vehicle Registration
The registration of Vehicles in the Philippines is handled by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), a line
agency of the Department of Transportation and Communication (now, Department of Transportation
(DOTr)). Table 1.1 shows the number of registered motor vehicles in the Philippines in 2002. The number
of utility vehicles or jeepneys has a share of 37%. The number of motorcycles has increased
tremendously in the last three years due to the influx of cheaper models into the country. It reached the
1.5 million mark in 2002. However, this number accounts for both the motorcycles (MCs) for private use
and tricycles (TCs) for public transport use. There is a need to separate the categories since they serve
completely different purposes.
About 40% of the total numbers are registered in Metro Manila.
Motor Vehicles are classified as follows:
1. Private vehicles – refers to motor vehicles owned by private individuals or companies and are not
intended to be used for hire.
2. For hire vehicles – refers to motor vehicles authorized to be used as public vehicles by virtue of
a franchise granted by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
3. Official/Government Vehicles – refers to motor vehicles owned by the Philippine government.
4. Diplomatic Vehicles – refers to motor vehicles owned by a foreign government or by their
diplomatic officials in the Philippines
Insurance
Motor vehicle owners are required to obtain insurance covering third-party liabilities. The minimum
insurance to be paid to victims of traffic accidents (fatal) was P50, 000 in 2002. The Insurance Surely
Association of the Philippines under the Office of the Insurance Commissioner accredited 112 insurance
companies all over the Philippines by 2002. It regulates the industry to prevent the proliferation of fly-by-
night insurance companies.
Driving License
The issuing procedure of driving license in provided for under Republic Act (RA) 4136. The LTO has the
full responsibility for issuance of driving licenses. There are three types of driving licenses: student
driver’s permit, nonprofessional driver’s license, and professional driver’s license.
a. Student driver’s permit
The applicant must be at least sixteen years old and must be physically and mentally fit to operate a
motor vehicle. He or she must be able to read and write in Filipino or English.
b. Non-professional Driver’s License
New applicant must be at least seventeen years old and must be a holder of a valid student permit for at
least one month. He or she must be physically and mentally fit to operate a motor vehicle, and must not
be a drug user or an alcoholic.
c. Professional Driver’s License
New applicant for professional driver’s license must be at least eighteen years old and is required to
submit a valid nonprofessional driver’s license or a valid student driver’s permit that is used for at least
five months. He or she must not be a drug user or an alcoholic. The requirement of having a medical
examination and drug test was introduced only very recently.
Driving license requirements
The holder of a student driver’s permit is only allowed to operate a motor vehicle if accompanied by a
licensed driver who is liable for any damage caused by the student driver’s operation of the motor vehicle.
A student driver’s permit is good for only one year while the nonprofessional and professional driver’s
licenses are valid for three years, expiring on license holder’s birth month. License holders are required
to renew their license before the expiry date.
Written and practical examinations
Applicants for nonprofessional and professional driver’s licenses are required to pass both written and
practical examinations. The written examination is given to gauge the applicant’s knowledge of traffic
rules and regulations based on the Traffic Code, safe driving practices, and the mechanics of motor
vehicles. The written test for nonprofessional driver’s license applicants has forty questions, and
candidates must be able to answer at least thirty questions correctly. In the case of the professional
driver’s license applicants, sixty questions are given, and applicants must be able to get at least forty-five
correct answers to pass the test. The practical examination is given to test a candidate’s ability to park a
vehicle properly, to start on slope, etc.
Driver Apprehensions
There seems to be an increasing trend in the number of drivers apprehended (table 1.2). This could be
attributed to the concerted efforts of the different agencies (the Land Transportation Office, the Metro
Manila Development Authority [MMDA], and the Philippine National Police – Traffic Management Group
[PNP-TMG]) in apprehending violators over the past years.
Driving Schools
Driving schools and driving instructors must have accreditation from the LTO. In 1980, the then Ministry
of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) issued an order covering the rules and regulations
governing the supervision and control over driving schools. Standard requirements were set fourth for
driving site, school building, classrooms, library facilities, motor vehicles, instructors, and course of
instruction,
In 2002, about 170 LTO-accredited driving schools were in operation all over the country.
Traffic Enforcement
Traffic laws are enforced by the Traffic Management Group (TMG), the traffic division of each district
police, and the LTO. In 1978, Presidential Decree (PD) 1605 was issued to centralize enforcement
matters in Metro Manila to the Metro Manila Commission (MMC), now the Metro Manila Development
Authority.
The TMG, being a national support unit of the PNP, has traffic management offices scattered in the
different regions and provinces nationwide. In selected areas or provinces, especially in highly urbanized
cities/municipalities, the TMG has traffic management teams (TMTs) that are also capable of performing
the functions of the TMG operational support units that are likewise based in Metro Manila.
In coordination and cooperation with the MMDA for Metro Manila and the local police units in the different
regions, the TMG has at its disposal the traffic enforcement units. Each Regional Traffic Management
Office (RTMO) can dispatch personnel to strategic choke points and major thoroughfares to conduct
traffic direction and control to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.
In Metro Manila, the TMG and the MMDA assist each other in traffic management, especially when on-
going infrastructure projects cause heavy congestion. Alongside this function, the personnel of TMG
render the following tasks: traffic accident investigation, and the traffic safety education through seminars
and conferences, etc.
Legislative Framework
This section discusses some of the legislations pertinent to road safety (Santiago 1980).
Republic Act 4136, otherwise known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, provides for the
system of registration of motor vehicles, checks on accessories of vehicles, and defines road traffic rules
and regulations.
Commonwealth Act 146, otherwise known as Pubic Service Act, rests on the regulatory body (LTFRB)
the power to compel any public service provider to furnish safe, adequate, and proper service as regards
the manner of furnishing the same as well as the maintenance of necessary materials and equipment.
Executive Order (EO) 125 reorganized the then Ministry of Transportation and Communications into a
Department and defined its powers and functions, including the establishment of the Land Transportation
Office as the sectoral agency responsible for implementing and carrying out policies, rules, and
regulations governing the land transportation system of the country.
Executive Order (EO) 202 created the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board with the
main function of regulating the land transport industry pursuant to the Public Service Act.
Republic Act 6975 established the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), including
the creation of the PNP under which the Traffic Management Group has been reorganized as the traffic
enforcement arm of the PNP covering national roads.
TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING PRACTICE
Transportation engineering is a filed or branch of civil engineering that deals with the application of
technology and scientific principles to the planning, functional design, operation, and management of
facilities for any mode of transportation in order to provide for the safe, rapid, comfortable, convenient,
economical, and environmentally compatible movement of people and goods.
On the other hand, traffic engineering is that phases of transportation engineering that deals with the
planning, geometric design, and traffic operations of roads, streets and highways, their networks,
terminals, abutting lands, and relationships with other modes of transportation (Evans 1950).
TRAFFIC ENGINEERING IN THE PHILIPPINES
The traffic engineering practice in the Philippines is still new. Most intersections were previously
controlled by traffic police officers or by manually operated traffic signals. Outside Metro Manila, manually
operated semaphore signals displaying STOP or GO message were installed on top of police outposts
located at the center of the intersection. In 1977, the Traffic Engineering and Management (TEAM)
Project first implemented an area traffic control system in Metro Manila.
It was almost at the same period when the Traffic Control Center, later renamed as the Traffic Engineering
Center (TEC), was established. The center was responsible for the implementation of various traffic
engineering and management measures such as traffic signalization, geometric improvement of
intersections, etc. In 1976, the Transport Training Center (TTC) was established in the University of the
Philippines with assistance from Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). TTC
started its training program in 1978 in the fields of traffic engineering, transportation planning, and traffic
management for traffic law enforcers. TTC was renamed as the National Center for Transportation
Studies and became a regular unit of UP Diliman in 1993, with research and support to graduate
programs in the fields of transportation engineering and transportation planning as additional functions.
VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Ask your parents, relatives, or friends on about their stories on driving. About their registration processes,
accidents, safety protocols. Ask yourself on how can you relate on these topics and how can you improve
yourself or them for the better.
VII. ASSIGNMENT
Answer your assignment in a clean sheet of bond paper. HANDWRITTEN or COMPUTERIZED.
1. Within your Province, City, or Town; Name at least 5 Jeepney Routes.

2. As an aspiring Civil Engineer, how can you reduce traffic?
3. What are the new requirements of Registration Vehicles in the PH by the LTO?
4. What are the new requirements of getting a Driver’s License in the PH?
5. Name at least 3 reasons why can the MMDA, LTO, or the PNP, can apprehend a driver.
VIII. REFERENCES
1. Fundamentals of Traffic Engineering, Sigua, Ricardo G.

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Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

DEGREE PROGRAM BSCE COURSE NO. HR ENG

I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE

Introduction to Highways and Railroad Engineering

II. LESSON TITLE

Introduction to Highways and Railroad Engineering

III. LESSON OVERVIEW

IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES

Road Transport Network

Some 80 percent of domestic passenger traffic and 60

Philippine roads are mostly made of concrete pavement. Due

About 40% of the total numbers are registered in Metro Manila.

Motor Vehicles are classified as follows:

a. Student driver’s permit

b. Non-professional Driver’s License

c. Professional Driver’s License

Driving license requirements

Written and practical examinations

TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING PRACTICE

TRAFFIC ENGINEERING IN THE PHILIPPINES

VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Answer your assignment in a clean sheet of bond paper. HANDWRITTEN or COMPUTERIZED.

1. Within your Province, City, or Town; Name at least 5 Jeepney Routes.

1. Fundamentals of Traffic Engineering, Sigua, Ricardo G.

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