FUNDAMENTALS OF TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

LESSON 2.1

Traffic management
 is the organization, arrangement, guidance and control of both stationary and moving
traffic, including pedestrians, bicyclists and all types of vehicles.

Management
 It refers to skillful of use of means to accomplish a purpose.
Operation
 Pertains to a course or series of acts or effect a certain purpose, manner of action or a vital or natural process of
activity.

Arterial Highways/roads
 Highway used primarily by through traffic.

Articulated vehicle
 combination of vehicles comprising a motor vehicle and a semi-trailer coupled to the
motor vehicle.

Built-up Area
 areas with entries and exits especially sign posted.

Carriageway/roadway
 part of the road normally used by vehicular traffic.

Collector highway/collector road/distributor road

 highway that serves primarily to funnel traffic from one highway to another.

Combination of vehicles
 coupled vehicles which travel on the road as a unit.

Cycle
 any vehicle which travel has at least two wheels and is propelled by the muscular energy of the persons on that
vehicle.

Direction of traffic and appropriate to the direction of traffic

 meaning the right-hand side if, under domestic legislation, the driver of a vehicle must allow an oncoming vehicle to pass
on his left, otherwise these expressions mean the left-hand side.

Domestic legislation
 entire body of national or local laws and regulations.

Driver
 person who drives a motor vehicle or other vehicle.

Give way
 Meaning, a driver must not continue or resume his maneuver if by so doing he might compel the drivers of other vehicles
to change the direction or speed of their vehicles abruptly.

Highway
 Refers to any roads, streets, boulevards, or avenues used as public thoroughfare.
Intersection
 Means any level crossroad, junction or fork, including the open areas.

Laden weight
 Means the actual weight of the vehicle as loaded.

Lane
 longitudinal strips from which the carriageway can be divided.

Level crossing
 any level intersection between a road and railway.

Light trailer
 any trailer of a permissible maximum weight not exceeding 50km (30 miles) per hour.

Motor cycle
 any two wheeled vehicles with or without a sidecar, which is equipped with propelling engine.

Motor vehicle
 any power-driven vehicle which is normally used for carrying persons or good by road or for drawing, on the road, vehicles
used for the carriage of persons or goods.

Motorway
 a road specially designed and built for motor traffic, which does not serve properties bordering on it.

Operation
 course or series of acts to affect a certain purpose.

Parked
 a vehicle is said to be parked if it is stationary for the period during which the vehicle is not limited to the time needed to
pick up or set down persons or goods.

Permissible maximum weight

 maximum weight of laden vehicle declared permissible by the competent authority of the state.

Power-driven vehicle
 any self-propelled road vehicle.

Road
 refers to the entire surface of any street open to public traffic it includes shoulder and sidewalks.

 Road are classified as:

1. National road > roads/streets interconnecting provinces and /or cities.
2. Provincial road > roads/streets interconnecting municipalities and/or cities within a province.
3. City roads > roads/streets interconnecting barangays with a city.
4. Municipal road > roads/streets interconnecting barangays within a municipality.
5. Barangay road > road/streets located within a barangay which connect sitios or places within a barangay.

Road users
 any persons using the road including drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and commuters.

Rural road
 roads where speed limit is over 60kph.
Semi-trailer
 any trailer designed to be coupled to a motor vehicle.

Shoulder
 refers to either side of the roadway, especially along highways.

Side walk
 refers to the paved walkway along the side of a street.

Standing
 vehicle is said to be standing if it is stationary for the time needed to pick up or set down persons or to load or unload
goods.

Through highway
 means every highway or portion thereof on which vehicular traffic is given the right of way, and at the entrances to which
traffic from intersecting highways.

Thruway/Throughway
 Highway that has limited entrances and exits.

Traffic
 Refers to the movement of persons, goods or vehicles either powered by combustion system or animal drawn from one
place to another for the purpose of travel.

Traffic way
 Entire width between boundary lines of every way or place of which any part is open to use of the public for the purpose of
vehicular traffic.

Trailer
 Any vehicle designed to be drawn by power driven vehicle and includes semi-trailers.

Unladen weight
 The weight of the vehicle which crew, passengers or load but with a full supply of fuel and with the tools which the vehicle
normally carries.

Urban roads
 Roads where speed limit is 60kph or less.

The Intersection
 Refer to the area of roadway created when two or more roadways join together or any angle.

Classification of Intersection According to Number of Intersection roads:

1. 3 – way intersection
2. 4 – way intersection
3. 5 – way intersection
4. 6 – way intersection
5. Staggered intersection

Classification of Intersection According to Traffic Control:

1. Controlled Intersection – It is controlled by any traffic control devices.
a. Yield – Controlled Intersection – It is usually controlled by a yield sign or Give Way sign,
b. Stop – Controlled Intersection – A stop sign is usually installed.
c. Traffic Circle – Traffic flow here is directed by a circle, Rotary Island, or a runabout sign.
 2. Uncontrolled Intersection – This intersection has no traffic signals or traffic signs.
3. Box Junction – This type generally prohibits entry unless the exit is clear.
4. Cloverleaf – A highway interchange at which two highways, one crossing over the other, have a series of entrance
and exit ramps resembling the outline of a four-leaf clover and enabling vehicles to proceed in either highway.

Types of traffic management – The two distinct types of traffic management are the used or utilization of:
1) Traditional traffic engineering tools or devices, to regulate or control traffic, such as traffic lights, traffic signs, or
pavement markings, traffic islands, and other devices that could control or direct the flow of traffic.
2) Advance technologies like the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). Example of the ITS are the installation of road
sensors for emergency cars, global positioning devices on motor vehicles, and road sensors attached to traffic signal
lights.

Major Causes of Traffic Congestion

1. Physical inadequacy – This is characterized by lack of road, narrow bridges, railroad crossing, lack of traffic facilities,
etc.
2. Poor Control Measure – This is characterized by ineffectiveness mechanical control device, inefficient traffic officer,
and poor enforcement of traffic law, rules and regulation.
3. Human Errors – Slow driving or poor driving habits, pedestrian error, officer error, poor planning, and poor legislation.
4. Poor Maintenance – Unpaired digging, road pavement cracking or unpaired road pavement concrete.

Specific Traffic Problems

Traffic manager and control officer commonly encounter the following traffic related problems
1. Traffic Build-up – Gradual increase of motor vehicles
2. Traffic Congestion – Overcrowded situation, condition in transport that is characterized by slower speeds.
longer trip times, and increased vehicular queueing.
3. Traffic jams (snarl-up) – these are situations in highways in which the movement of traffic users (motor
vehicles or pedestrians) is very slow or stationary.
4. Bottlenecks – These are narrow points areas in highways where traffic congestions or traffic jams usually
occur or traffic may be held up.
5. Gridlock – a state or condition of severe road congestion arising when continues queues of vehicles block an
entire network of intersecting streets, bringing traffic in all directions to a complete standstill. These blockages
are usually caused interlocking of intersection grids.
6. Accidents – these are events or incidents which may cause unintentional damage to property, loss of limbs,
and/or death.
7. Collision – These are incidents or instances of one moving traffic unit or person striking violently against
another.

Scope of Traffic Management

In connection with the above state cause of congestion authorities conceived that a systematic and effective traffic
management is needed but not limited to the following.
1. All public surface facilities traversing and parking and all types of conveyances for the movement of person
and things.
2. Agency having responsibilities for ascertaining traffic flow requirements, planning, approving, funding,
construction, and /or maintaining these public facilities for such movements.
3. All agencies responsible for licensing, approving, restricting, stopping, prohibiting or controlling the use of
these facilities. The agencies involved in this area are the land transportation office (LTO) and other traffic
enforcement agencies.

Agencies Involved in Traffic Management

For a successful and effective traffic management, specific roles and responsibilities are vested on the following.

1. Department of transportation (DOTr, formerly DOTC)

 The DOTr through the land transportation office is responsible for the implementation of the land code of the
Philippines (R.A 4136) particularly on the issuance of driver’s licenses, registration of motor vehicles, approval of
franchises for public conveyances (Through the land transportation franchising and regulatory board (LTFRB)), and
conducting traffic safety seminars.
2. City on municipal engineers’ office
In the local level, these offices are responsible for the planning, construction and maintenance of traffic
facilities within their respective locality.
3. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
This is the main executive department which is responsible for the planning, construction and maintenance of
traffic facilities particularly those categorized as national highways and other major road arteries.
4. Legislative (congress/city or municipal boards)
The legislative bodies are not only responsible for the passing or amendment of laws concerning traffic but
also, they are involved in the planning and approval of government projects.
5. Philippine national police (PNP)
The PNP through its highway patrol group (PNP-HPG) (Formerly the traffic management group (PNP-TMG))
is responsible primarily for the direct enforcement of traffic laws, rules and regulation. They also perform other
functions such as conducting of information dissemination campaign, submitting traffic scheme proposals, and other
functions as the need arises.
6. Traffic Management Bureaus (TMBs)
These are offices created mostly under the offices of city/municipal mayors with the primary task of assisting
the local PNP traffic divisions/units in the enforcement of traffic enforcement of traffic ordinances/laws. These are
usually under and/or attached with local government’s public utility services office (PUSO).
7. Academic Institutions
Schools both public and private, are responsible for the basic traffic education by integrating in their
respective programs and curriculum subjects or topics on traffic safety.
8. Courts
Are responsible for the adjudication of traffic – related cases filed before death
9. Public Information Offices
The government through the Philippine information agency (PIA) provides the necessary updated information
to the public by creating traffic safety campaigns and other activities relating to traffic.
10. Barangay Peacekeeping action Team (BPAT) Members
In particular, the barangay tanods or barangay security forces are the usual traffic control officers in their
respective localities particularly during times of emergencies.
11. Citizen support Groups
The Private institutions or organizations also help in the prevention of traffic congestion by assisting
government offices in various activities particularly during special occasions and holidays where traffic problem is
likely to happen.
12. Tri-media (including the internet).
Government and privately-owned publications, and radio and television broadcasting companies provide
necessary and updated traffic-related information to the public through their respective programs.

With the proceeding accounts, a successful traffic management is not the sole responsibility of the government but
rather a concerted effort between the government and private organizations.

THE PILLARS OF TRAFFIC

Lesson 2.2
PILLARS OF TRAFFIC
 These are the main areas of traffic managements which are also known as the “ES” of traffic.

Traffic Engineering
 it is the science of measuring traffic and travel the study of the basic laws relative to the traffic law and generation;
the application of this knowledge to the professional practice of planning, deciding and operating traffic system to achieve safe
and efficient transformation of persons and goods.

Functions of traffic engineering

 Agencies involved in traffic engineering usually perform the following tasks;

1. Fact- finding, surveys and recommendations of traffic rules and regulations;

2. Supervisions and maintenance to the application of traffic control devices; and
3. Planning of traffic regulations.

Agencies and/or offices under traffic engineering

 Like the other pillars of traffic management, traffic engineering is done by various government and non-government
agencies example;

1. DPWH
 it scope is national which includes the responsibility for determining traffic law, pattern, draw origin, and destinations,
studies of persons and things, planning, approving, funding and construction of;
a. National Roads, which interconnect cities and municipalities; network of national roads through cities and
municipalities; and
b. Yearly maintenance and repair programs which include widening and re-designing of current rod systems.
c. Provincial Government
d. Municipal Governments
e. Chartered Cities

Objectives of traffic engineering

 Agencies and individuals in traffic engineering and all the conducted programs, project and activities are all geared to;

1) To achieve efficient, free and rapid flow of traffic.

2) To prevent traffic accident.
3) To simplify police enforcement actions and performance.
4) To show that good police actions and performance makes engineering plans effective.
5) To present the close relationship of the pillars of traffic in the improvement of traffic problems.

When and where the objectives of traffic engineering are applied?

 Traffic engineers normally focused their tasks on these places where traffic congestions, traffic accident, traffic build-up or
traffic obstruction are likely to occur;

1) Habitually congested commercial areas.

2) Heavily traveled thoroughfares.
3) Congested local areas and intersections.
4) During special occasions and events
5) During disaster or emergencies
6) At school crossings.

Methods in achieving the objectives of traffic engineering

 Traffic engineers primary consideration is the construction of traffic ways.

1. Planning and geometric design-factor employed in planning.

a) Composition of traffic streams.
b) Traffic volumes for capacity.
c) Origin and destination.
 2. Factors influencing design
a) Composition of traffic.
b) Volume of traffic.
c) Speed of vehicles.
d) The starting, turning and stopping abilities of traffic units.
e) Performance values of road users.

3. Regulation and control- traffic regulation

a) Based and confined within the boundaries of safety, public welfare and convenience.
b) Limitations imposed on road users and their load.
c) Basic general rule of rod use and conduct
d) Prohibition and restrictions.

2. Traffic education
 It refers to any act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge on traffic or any matters relating to the use of
the traffic way or road ways.

The following are the agencies and offices responsible for traffic education;

a. Schools (Public/Private)
 Traffic education can be carried out by imparting knowledge concerning traffic safety, training and practice
in the actual application of traffic safety, and developing traffic safety morality.

1) Elementary
2) Secondary
3) Higher education

b. Public Information programs

 The public should be informed on all activities affecting the citizens and community relating to traffic.

c. Citizen Support Groups

 These are mostly composed by voluntary non-government organizations (NGOs), radio communication
groups, rotary organizations, and other voluntary clubs. These organization usually develop citizens’
responsibilities, conduct organized educational campaign, instill awareness of the traffic problems, and
provide information regarding major traffic requirements and needs.

3. Traffic enforcement
 This field deals mostly on the implementation and enforcement of traffic laws and rules and regulations.

The following are the various agencies/offices that are involve in enforcement of traffic laws;

a. Land Transportation Office (LTO)- this office is responsible for the following:

1) Vehicle Registration
2) Vehicle Inspections
3) Drivers licensing (examinations, suspensions and revocations)
4) Public to police on stolen or wanted vehicles.

b. Legislative bodies
 Include are the senate, congress, provincial boards and city and municipal councils. They are responsible
for the passing and/or amending of laws and/or ordinances.

c. Police Traffic enforcement

 This pillar is not limited to the PNP-HPG (formerly TMG) but it includes all government personnel who are
duly authorized for the direct enforcement of traffic laws such as;
 1) The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for the National Capital Region (NCR).
2) Police/Traffic Auxiliaries
3) LTO Law Enforcement Services/Flying Squad

4.Traffic Ecology or Traffic Environment

 This pillar is very recent which includes the study of potentially disastrous population explosion, changes in urban
environment due to the scale and density of new urban concentration and new activities carried out, air pollution,
water pollution and crowding. Especially transport congestion which result therein.

a.) What are the environmental effects of urbanization of transportation

 Any decision in modernizing the transportation system shall consider the following environmental effects;

I. Noise-the ill effect of noise is one of the major considerations in the evaluation of the consequences of traffic
urbanization to the environment.

Average Background Noise;

 Typical home- 40 to 50 dBA,

 Heavy truck-90 dBA at 15m/ft:
 Freight trains-75 dBA at 15m/ft.
 Air conditioning-60 dBA at 6m/ft.

II. Vibration- Effect can be severe, particularly when there are heavy trucks and when the building is old.
III. Air Pollution- it is one of the more difficult problems because of the complexity of the issues involved.
IV. Dirt-these are foul and filthy substances related to motor vehicle use such as empty of oils. grease material.
V. Visual Intrusion- this can have positive as well as negative effects. If a motor way blots out an unsightly prison or
railway yard, it may have positive benefits.
VI. Loss of Privacy Loss of privacy from drivers and others being able to look at one's house and garden frequently dislike
environment effect
VII. Changes in amount of Light- It is easier up to point because part of the disadvantage can be valued in term of the
additional lighting costs of those affected
VIII. Neighborhood Severance, both physical and sociological-this con partly be qualified in terms of changed travel time
and costs and accident experience to pediatrician and traffic.
IX. Relocation-there must be programs that are designed to cover compensation for those who relocate as a
consequence of transport investment, whether property owner or tenants.
X. Distraction during planning and construction
XI. Accident Experience-these are evaluated by well established procedures of which perhaps the only major
controversial aspect is the valuation given to human life.
XII. Pedestrian Journey-the opportunity to make the roads safe and enjoyable for pedestrians and efficient for vehicles and
set of roads provided access to dwelling and is designed primarily for the safety of pedestrians.
XIII. Congestion and other benefits to Vehicles: it is for a livable and safe residential environment by reducing "through"
vehicle travel must be made convenient

b.) External factors that influences the existing and future behavior of population - the behaviors and attitudes of the
people are also attributed to the easing or reduction of traffic problems.

1) Rapidly increasing population growth.

2) Rapidly increasing urbanization.
3) Rapidly increasing motorization.
4) Industrialization and technical modernization.
5) Improvement of the transporting network that is the street network and the public transportation.
C. Alternatives-a more pleasant environment can be achieved without negative implication for economy and trade so that any
reasonable step in this direction by decision makers deserves support.

 Some proposed activities that may reduce the adverse effect of the proposed activities that may reduce the adverse
effect of traffic development to our ecology.

I. Towns are better with less traffic.

II. Where and when traffic congestion and its cost are serve and frequent.
III. To limit traffic and to improve the efficiency and quality of service of buses and transport
IV. Pedestrian scheme should be introduced whenever possible to improve the environment and safety for
pedestrian.
V. The use of ron-carbon emitting vehicles should be encourage like bicycle whenever practical
VI. Motor vehicle reduction scheme should also be introduced.

d.) Laws and statues concerning traffic ecology

1) P.D.1181-providing for the prevent, control and abatement of air pollution from motor vehicles and for other
purposes.

 SEC 1-the purpose is to prevent, control and abate the emission of air pollutant from motor vehicles in order to
protect the health and welfare of the people and to prevent or minimize damage to property and hazard to land
transportation.

2) Letter of Instruction No.551. Directing the law enforcement agencies to implement the pollution control program.

3) R.A.8749 otherwise known as the Clean Air Act. An act providing for the regulation of motor vehicles emitting toxic
gases like the use of the diesel and leaded gasoline.

5.Traffic Economy
 This is the most recent of the pillars of traffic which deals with the benefits and adverse effects of traffic to our
economy. Traffic operation is designed to expedite the movement of traffic.

 One aspects affecting our economy is the unending Increase of oil price in the world market.

TRAFFIC SAFETY EDUCATION

Lesson 2.3

What is traffic safety education?

 It is the process of training roads users in the avoidance and prevention of traffic-related accidents.
 It is already identified that one if not the major causes of traffic accidents is human factors which includes but not limited to
ignorance, lack of skills, and/or erratic attitude and behaviors of drivers, pedestrians, and passengers. This can be
corrected by traffic safety education.

Road Safety
 It refers to reduced risk of accident or injury on the roads, achieved through multidisciplinary approaches involving road
engineering and traffic management, education and training of road users, and vehicle design.

A. Factors Contributing to Accidents.

1. Human errors
2. Road deficiencies
3. Main vehicle

B. The five (5) pillars of traffic

1. Engineering (traffic engineering)
2. Education (in traffic safety)
3. Enforcement (of traffic rules)
4. Ecology/Environment
5. Economy

C. Level of Traffic Safety Education

1. Imparting knowledge concerning traffic Safety
2. Training and practice in the actual application of traffic Safety knowledge
3. Developing traffic Safety morality

D. Traffic Safety for Children

1. Elementary
2. Secondary
3. Higher Education

E. Traffic Safety Education for Adults

 Safety education for elder pedestrian and driver is relatively easier compared to the education design for the younger
children since the former have better position to understand what is being taught to them.

F. Driver Education
a course of study, as for high school students, that teaches the techniques of driving a vehicle, along with basic vehicle
maintenance, safety precautions, and traffic regulations and laws.

G. Four (4) Basic Type of Instruction Method

1. Comprehensive
2. Traditional instruction
3. Commentary driving method
4. Simulated conditions

 Two method of simulation presently adapted

1. Partial simulation method
2. Global simulation
H. Essential component of driving task
1. Collection of information which include perceptual scanning and identification
2. Processing of information which include predicting and decision making
3. action which is focus on motor skill and control of vehicle and knowledge and subjective interpretation
I. Biorhythm
 It is the theory which asserts that man exhibit a constant variation of life energy and mood States.

•The theory assert that people are accident prone if their biorhythm crosses the centerline on a certain day or is totally
below the line.

K. Safety Campaign
 Known as road propaganda which may be intended simply to inform or it may be felt that the public is already aware of
the recommended behavior by need to be persuaded into adopting it.
 One of the most effective ways to energize employees and get them thinking more clearly about their own safety, as
well as the safety of others.