TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

CONCEPT 1
HISTORY OF TRANSPORTATION

Nomads
It was came from the Greek word which means “to pasture” – groups that
migrate in an established pattern to find pasture lands for their domestic livestock.

Three types of Nomads

1. Foraging populations – they wander for foods.

2. Pastoral nomads – they move with their families, belongings, and herds of
cattle, camel, sheep, or goats through an annual cycle of pastures whose
availability is determined by the alteration of hot and cold and wet and dry
seasons.
3. Tinkers or Gypsies - who make and sell their products

VARIOUS ANCIENT MODES OF TRANSPORTATION:

A. MANPOWER:

a. Carrying pole – It was started in China and other parts of Far East. It is also called
a shoulder pole or a milkmaid's yoke, is a yoke of wood or bamboo, used by people to
carry a load.
b. Back load and tumpline – Goods are carried on the back. In Subtemala, (pots on
the forehead), In Andes (load at the back by strap passing over chest)
c. Sledge on rollers/runners – Old Stone Age in Northern Europe
d. Travois – Is a historical frame structure that was used by indigenous peoples,
notably the Plains Aboriginals of North America, to drag loads over land.
B. ANIMAL POWER:

 Ox – used to transport agricultural products. First domesticated in Mesopotamia to

draw war chariots while it was used in some parts of Africa for riding
 Reindeers – used during Christians Eras on Siberia and northern part of the world
to carry sled.
 Gangs of dogs – used in northern region especially in cold places to carry sled.
Considered as the first domesticated animal
 Donkeys - First domesticated in Middle East (Egypt and Mesopotamia).
 Llama – used by the Indians to serve as weapon and used as a pack animal.
 Horse – first used by Asians. It was used to draw chariots
 Camels – used in central Asia (Afghanistan) to travel in the dessert. (Bactrian
Camel, also known as Mongolian Camel)
 Yak - In the higher altitudes of the Himalayas Yak is used as a pack animal.
C. WIND POWER:

a. Ancient Chinese kite –kites being used for measuring distances, testing the wind,
signaling, and communication for military operations. It was invented by Chinese
philosophers Mozi and Lu Ban.
b. Da Vinci’s Ornithopter –It was based from the flight of birds. It was invented by
Leonardo da Vinci.
c. Montgolfier balloon – It was invented by Montgolfier brothers of France (Joseph-
Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier)
d. Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis – It was made by Capt. Charles A. Lindbergh. Thru
this, first airmail was delivered in 1911 from New York to Paris
D. ROAD AND VEHICLE:

 Wheel was invented probably in Western Asia. It began to appear in Tigris-

Euphrates Valley about 3500BC and later in Crete, Egypt and China.
 Romans – were the major road builders in the ancient world. The romans road
network reached a total of about 50,000 mile (80,000 kms.) with “Feeder” roads
branching out from the main highways.
 John L. Macadam – he advocated the feeder road building and perfected the
Macadamized road in England about 1815
 In early 19th century served as the nursery of automobile builders that led to the
invention of Bicycle
 Karl Von Drais – in 1817 he introduced a steerable wheel creating the
“Draisienne” or “Dandy horse” or “Hobby Horse”. It is considered as the
ancestor of bicycle. The wheels were made of wood, with tires of iron, and the
riders pushed themselves along with their feet on the ground.
 Kirkpatrick Macmillan – in 1838, he made the first bicycle with pedals.
 Star bicycle – bicycle with open pair of wheels, one large front wheel and a small
one at the rear.
 Tandem bicycle – used by several person both wheels are equal size.
 John Boyd Dunlop – in 1888 (19th century( he invented the pneumatic tires
(inflated by air). John Boyd Dunlop has a great contribution to the invention of
vehicles because of his Pneumatic Tire invention which appeared in 19th century.
 Etienne Lenoir – A Frenchman, who made possible the introduction of motorized
carriages by his invention of the “INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE” in the 1860’s
 Nicolaus Otto And Gottlieb Daimler – pioneered the manufacture of gas engines
 Rudolf Diesel – (German) developed an internal combustion engine which uses
liquid fuel known as “DIESEL FUEL”
 Henry Ford – 1908 introduced the “MODEL T” (Ford Vehicle) which proved so
popular in 1914.
 CONCEPT II
FUNDAMENTALS OF TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

 Traffic Management - It is an executive functions such as planning,

organizing, directing and supervising, coordinating operating recording and
budgeting traffic affairs.
 Traffic – refers to the movement of person, goods or vehicle, either thru foot,
powered by combustion system or thru animal drawn from one place to another
for the purpose of travel. The word traffic was derived from the word
“trafficare” which means “to carry on trade”.
 Management – skillful use of means to accomplish a purpose
 Traffic Way –entire width between boundary lines of every way or place of
which any part is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular traffic
as a matter of right or custom
 Roadway – part of traffic way over which motor vehicle pass
 Shoulder – either side of the roadway

THE FIVE PILLARS OF TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

1. TRAFFIC ENGINEERING
2. TRAFFIC EDUCATION
3. TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT
4. TRAFFIC ECOLOGY/ENVIRONMENT
5. TRAFFIC ECONOMY

TRAFFIC ENGINEERING

Traffic Engineering
It is the science of measuring traffic and travel and the study of the basic laws
relative to the traffic flow and generation, and application of this knowledge to the
professional practice of planning, and the operating traffic systems to achieve safe and
efficient movement of persons and goods.

Function of Traffic Engineering

1. Fact finding survey and recommendation of traffic rules and regulations.

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

Types of traffic control devices:

1. TRAFFIC ROAD SIGN
2. PAVEMENT MARKINGS
3. TRAFFIC LIGHTS
4. TRAFFIC ISLAND

Traffic Road Sign

 A sign usually made of a metal plate in a conspicuous location beside a road
whereby a message is conveyed by means of words or symbols officially installed for
the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic.

CLASSIFICATION OF TRAFFIC SIGN:

a. DANGER WARNING SIGN – It is also known as “caution signs”. These signs

are intended to give caution for approaching road hazards. These sign have equilateral
triangular shape with one side horizontal and having Red borders, black markings
and white background

b. REGULATORY SIGNS – These are intended to give the road users of special
obligation, restrictions or prohibition with which they must comply. These signs are
Round and some are Inverted Triangle, it have Red border, white background,
black markings

Three Categories of Regulatory Sign

1. Priority signs – these are signs intended to regulate priority over a particular
road section or roadway intersection.
2. Prohibitory signs – these signs can be used on specified section of the road
which will be easily see by motorist to indicate regulation which is prohibitive or
restrictive in nature.
3. Mandatory signs – these signs are intended to guide road users of special rules
in which they must comply for the safety.

c. INFORMATIVE SIGNS – also known as “guide signs” or “direction signs”.

These signs are modified signs that actually give directional instructions for the driver
to take. Informative signs are Rectangular in shape with white markings and blue
background.
*Place Identification Signs – It show the frontier between two province,
municipalities of countries or for the purpose of showing the beginning and end of
built up areas.

PAVEMENT MARKINGS– These are lines, patterns , words, colors set into surface to
the roadway, officially placed for the purpose of regulating, warning, or traffic control.

Some example of Pavement Markings:

 Solid white line in the center - It is used to separate traffic when located in a
two-way multiple lane road. Usually, this divides any road into a right and left-
hand side so cars won’t go in the same direction on the same lane.
 Broken white center line - Overtaking on this line is allowed because it is
broken. But do overtake with care because cars on the opposite side have the
right of way
 Mixed center line with broken white or yellow line - If this is seen on the
road that will allow overtaking in the side of a broken line.
 Crosswalk a.k.a. pedestrian lane
 Directional arrows
TRAFFIC LIGHTS – Refers to any power operated traffic control device which traffic is
warned or directed to take some specific actions. Used to control traffic at junctions
and also to stop traffic to provide safe crossing points for pedestrians and cyclist.
*Lester Wire- Developed the first world electric traffic lights in 1912 in Salt Lake City,
Utah USA.

*The color of traffic lights are chronologically arranged to give motorists better view of
signal lights. From top, the series of color is Red, Yellow, and Green. From bottom the
series of color is Green, Yellow and Red.

• RED - STOP
• YELLOW – WARNING
• GREEN -GO

TRAFFIC ISLAND – these are the elevated areas located at some part of the roadway.
These are areas within the roadway constructed in a manner to establish physical
channels through which vehicular traffic is guided

Classifications of Traffic Island

1. Division Island
2. Channelizing Island
3. Rotary Island
4. Pedestrian Island

 DIVISION ISLAND - These are constructed primarily to divide the streams

of the motor vehicles.
 CHANNELIZING ISLAND - These are constructed to channelize or direct
the flow of traffic.
 ROTARY ISLAND – creates a circular flow in one direction which is found in
intersection that has a circular central island.
 PEDESTRIAN ISLAND - These are constructed between the pedestrian
sidewalk and the road pavement to prevent motor vehicles from using the
sidewalk for parking and passing purposes.

Hierarchy of Traffic Control

Traffic Control Officer

Traffic Signal Light

Traffic Sign

Pavement Markings

Right-of-Way Rules

*Right of way – means the right to proceed ahead of another vehicle or pedestrian.

TRAFFIC EDUCATION
 The process of giving training and travel and practice in the actual application
of traffic safety knowledge.

BASIC TYPES OF DRIVING INSTRUCTION METHODS:

a. COMPREHENSIVE – places the student into real life of driving situations
from the beginning.
b. TRADITIONAL INSTRUCTION – type of instruction depends on instructor-
student communication.
c. COMMENTARY DRIVING METHOD – student-driver accompanied by an
instructor while giving his comment.
d. SIMULATED CONDITIONS –the premise of simulated conditions training is
that the behavior of the driver – subject placed in condition will be relatively analogous
to normal behavior.

 SIMULATOR – static machine with all the important features of a car used in
driving method/training.

Safety Campaigns:

Safety campaigns are mass publicity aimed to make road users behave more
safely. These basically focus on public information attitudes, and particular or specific
behavior or combinations of these. Road propaganda may be intended simply to
inform or it may be felt that the public is already aware of the recommended behavior
needed to be persuaded into adopting it.

*Biorhythm is the theory which asserts that a man exhibits constant variation of life,
energy and mood states.

The most famous of biorhythm are the following:

1. 23 days physical cycle.
2. 28 days emotional cycle.
3. 33 days intellectual cycle.

TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT
It deals mostly on the implementation and enforcement of traffic laws and rules
and regulations. The action taken by the police, such as arresting, issuing traffic
citation ticket, and giving warning to the erring drivers for the purpose of deterring
and discouraging and/or to preventing such violation.

Traffic Law Enforcer - A person who is duly deputized by an agency of government

authorized by law to enforce traffic laws, rules and regulations.
Traffic Laws – the basis of all traffic enforcement

Main Agencies Responsible in Traffic Enforcement

1. Land Transportation Office
2. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
3. Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC)
4. Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA)
5. Philippine National Police
Functions of Police and Court Traffic Enforcement:

 Police Traffic Law Enforcement – The part of traffic enforcement performed by

the police and other agencies with police power including deterrent to law
violation created by the presence of uniformed police officer and their special
equipment, special assistance to court and prosecutors and incidental service
to highway users.
 Court Traffic Law Enforcement – The part of traffic law enforcement
performed by the court by adjudication and penalization.

Five Essential Steps in Police Court Enforcement Process:

1. Detection – wholly police responsibility and entail looking for defects in the
behavior of motorist, pedestrians, vehicles equipment and roadway condition. Requires
knowledge on law on the part of the police.
2. Apprehension – wholly a police responsibility where the police is required to take
action at once to prevent continued and future violation.
3. Prosecution – While this is a court function, the police also provides corresponding
influence through preparation and introduction of evidence or close contact with the
prosecution officer.
4. Adjudication – While is obviously a court function, the police provides influence on
this step by acting as a witness to the prosecution or supplying additional evidence.
This step determines the guilt or innocence of the accused.
5. Penalization – The court imposes the penalty upon the accused. The penalty is
greatly influenced by previous records of conviction as provided by the police.

Three (3) Major Elements of Traffic Enforcement System

1. Enforcement system – consists of legislation, police and the courts. Legislation
defines and specifies correct or incorrect road user behavior. Police and the
courts is charged with the responsibility of insuring that these are adhered to.
2. Road-user system – includes pedestrians, pedal cyclists, drivers, passengers
and other.
3. The traffic system – consists of the entire road and vehicle complex

Kinds of Traffic Enforcement Action

1. Traffic arrest
2. Traffic citation
3. Traffic warning

1. TRAFFIC ARREST – is an enforcement action which consists of taking a person

into custody for the purpose of holding or detaining him to answer a charge of law
violation before a court. Arrest is made when the:

1. Offense committed is serious

2. Detention is necessary to avoid continued violation
3. There is reasonable doubt that the violator will appear in court.

2. TRAFFIC CITATION – a means of having violators appear in court without physical

arrest.
3. TRAFFIC WARNING – an enforcement action which does not contemplate possible
assessment of penalty by the court or otherwise as a result of warning alone.

Types of Traffic Warning

a. Verbal warning - telling the violator that he has violated the law and explain the
hazards of such actions.
b. Visual warning- are usually used when you have observed a minor violation, the
traffic enforcer only uses gesture of his hand and/or of the head to give the warning

c. Written warning - combination of verbal warning and citations. It gives the spirit
of verbal warning and the form of citation.

TRAFFIC ECOLOGY/ENVIRONMENT
It is the study of dealing with potentially disastrous population
explosion, changes in urban environment due to the scale and density of a new urban
concentration and new activities carried out, air pollution, water pollution and
crowding, especially transport congestion which result therein.

TRAFFIC ECONOMY
It deals with the benefits and adverse effects of traffic to our economy.

CAUSES OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION:

a. Physical inadequacy – lack of roads, bridges, traffic facilities, rail road, etc.
b. Poor control measure – ineffective mechanical control devices, inefficient traffic
enforcers, poor implementation of traffic laws, rules and regulations
c. Human errors – slow drivers or poor driving habits, pedestrian mistakes, officers’
error etc.
d. Poor maintenance – unrepaired digging, un finished road pavement because of
inappropriate budget

What is Traffic Patrol?

Part of police traffic supervision which consist of driving and walking here and
there in an area or to and from on a road for the purpose of traffic law enforcement
and to provide traffic connected service to the public.

Types of Traffic Patrol:

1. Line Patrol – is a moving patrol or a stationary observation on a specified road
between two points usually on one city street or a section of a highway.
2. Area Patrol – is a moving patrol or stationary patrol observation in an area or beat
which includes a number of streets, roads or a sections on a highway.

Traffic Observation:
Stationary Traffic Observation – it is a traffic observation at a selected place, usually
one with an unfavorable accident experience or traffic flow problem, for traffic law
enforcement purposes and to detect violations of to deter possible violators.

Types of Stationary observation

1. Conspicuous Traffic Observation – Observer remains in full view of traffic
conditions.
 2. Visible Traffic Observation – it is a stationary in which the observer is in full
view but located
3. Conceal Traffic Observation – it is a stationary observation in which the
observer is not visible to the public.
Whistle Signals:
1. One long blast for STOP
2. Two short snappy blasts for GO
3. Three blasts to be used for assistance and/or for motorist to be attentive.

CONCEPT III
VEHICLE REGISTRATION

As mandated by RA 4136 mandates that all MV’s shall be registered by its

owner before the designated District Offices of the LTO.

Plate Numbers
Upon registration, MV’s are assigned with plate numbers. The letter and
numeral prefixes as well as the colors are based on the date and place of registrations
and purposes of the registered motor vehicles.

CLASSIFICATION OF REGISTERED MOTOR VEHICLES:

a. PRIVATE – (not for hire) MV’s used for the personal use of their owner.
Plate number color: Before: Green with white background (Now: it is Black markings
with white background)

b. PUBLIC UTILITY VEHICLES – (for hire) primarily for the conveyance of passengers
and other commercial goods
Plate number color: Black with yellow background

c. GOVERNMENT – MV’s owned by the government offices and are used for official
purposes only
Plate number color:: Red (Maroon) with white background

d. DIPLOMAT – issued to foreign diplomats and consuls assigned in the Philippines

Plate number color:: Blue with white background

What is Commemorative Plate or Vanity Plate?

It refers to the optional Motor Vehicle plates having preferred inscriptions for
the purpose of establishing personalized identity of the MV to the registered owner.

Take Note: A single VLP is issued in conjunction with the regular plate and is
installed at the space allotted for the rear licensed plate of the MV by superimposing
or placing it on top of the regular license plate.

CATEGORIES OF VANITY PLATE

1. Limited Edition
 It consists of four or maximum of six characters, either all numeric or all
alphas.

2. Premium Edition
It consist of six characters, a combination of numeric-alpha (reverse of the
current license plate number)

3. Select Edition
It consists of minimum of three or maximum of six characters.

4. Special Plate
It consists of three alpha characters and a number ranging from 1-100.

SCHEDULE OF REGISTRATION:
Registration of MV’s should be done annually which follows the numerical
suffixes of their plate numbers.

 If you own a vehicle with license plate number ending in the numbers below
(first column), you should renew your vehicle registration during the
corresponding months.
 The scheduled week of registration shall follow the middle number of your
plate.

Last Digit of Plate Middle Digit of Plate Weekly Deadline

Number Number (working days of the
month only)
1 - Jan 6 - Jun 1 2 3 (first week) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
2 – Feb 7 – Jul 4 5 6 (second 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
week)
3 – Mar 8 – Aug 7 8 (third week) 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
4 – Apr 9 – Sep 9 0 (fourth 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
week)
5 – May 0 – Oct 29 30 31

*NOTE: Motor vehicle registration may be renewed one (1) month before, but not later
than the last working day of the week indicated by the middle digit of the plate
number. For Motorcycles, use the 3rd digit.

NOTE: Tourists bringing their own motor vehicles to the Philippines may, however,
without registering such motor vehicles, use the same during but not after ninety (90)
days of their sojourn

SPECIAL PLATE NUMBERS FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS:

1 - President
2 - Vice President
3 - Senate President
4 - Speaker of the House of Representatives
5 - Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
6 - Cabinet Secretaries
 7 - Senators
8 - Congressmen
9 - Associate Justices of the Supreme Court
10 - Presiding Justice and other Justices of the Court of Appeals
11 - Chairman of the Commission on Elections
12 - Cabinet Undersecretary
13 - Solicitor General
14 - Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Chief, Philippine
National Police