GROUP 1 - TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING AND PLANNING

Transportation engineers specialize in:

1) Planning of street and highway facilities;
2) Design of geometric configuration of street and highway facilities;
3) Construction of streets and highways;
4) Traffic operation and control;
5) Traffic safety;
6) Maintenance of traffic facilities and control; and
7) Management of traffic facilities and control

Role of Transportation in Society:

1. Economic Role - transportation plays an important role in developing the
economic aspect of a society.
2. Social Role - development of transportation system influences the formation of
urban society. It links rural areas with urban ones transporting goods from one
place to other, eventually helping in overall development.
3. Political Role - the world being divided into different political units for mutual
protection, economic advantages and development of common culture is linked by
transportation of both people and goods through different modes.
4. Environmental Role - the environment is highly affected by transportation. Its
harmful aspect is more prominent than its useful aspects.

Modes of Transportation:
Primary Mode
• Land Transportation (Highway and Railway)
• Air Transportation
• Water Transportation
• Pipeline Transportation
Secondary Mode
• Ropeway
• Belt conveyors
• Canal
Elements of Transportation Engineering:
a. Traffic Studies and Characteristics – involve measuring and quantifying various
aspect. Studies focus on data collection and analysis that is used to characterize
traffic, including traffic volume and demands, speed travel and time, delay,
accidents, origins and destinations, modal use, etc.
b. Performance Evaluation – which operating characteristics of individual sections
of facilities can be rated. Such evaluation relies on measures of performance
quality and is often stated in terms of level of service.
c. Facility Design – involves functional and geometric design of highways and other
traffic facilities.
d. Traffic Control – establishment of traffic regulations and communication to the
driver through the use of traffic control devices, such as signs, markings, and
signals.
e. Traffic Operations – involves measure that influence overall operation of traffic
facilities, such as one-way street systems, transit operations, curb management,
and surveillance and network control systems.
f. Transportation Systems Management (TSM) – optimizing system capacity and
operations. Specific aspects include high-occupancy vehicle priority systems, car-
pooling programs, pricing strategies to manage demand, etc.
g. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) – application of modern
telecommunications technology to the operation and control of transportation
systems. Include automated highways, automated toll-collection systems, vehicle-
tracking systems, in-vehicle global positioning systems (GPS).
Classification of Roads, DPWH
The current classification of roads by Department of Public Works and Highways, per
D.O. No. 133, s. 2018 is shown below*.
GROUP 2 - TRANSPORTATION AS A SYSTEM
Transportation - is more than just the movement of people and goods from one place to
another; it is a complex system that plays a critical role in the functioning of societies and
economies.
Transportation System - as the combination of elements and their interactions, which
produce the demand for travel within a given area and the supply of transportation
services to satisfy this demand.
Components of a Transportation Systems
• Modes
• Infrastructures
• Networks
• Flows

MODES
Road Transportation - from walking to horses to wagons to bikes to cars to trucks,
road transportation has been around longer than any mode and is utilized the most
of any mode in logistics.

Maritime Transportation - shipping by water has been practiced for thousands of

years and remains pivotal to today’s global trade.

Air Transportation - airplanes are becoming increasingly important in domestic

and international trade. With continually improving technologies and practically
unlimited route possibilities, the fastest growing and most time efficient shipping
mode.

Rail Transportation - first invented for use in the early 19th century, rail transport
quickly became vital for the expansion of the western world and has played a
pivotal role in the realm of logistics for over two centuries.

Intermodal Transportation - intermodal presented many challenges for shippers

and carriers; primarily, transferring shipments between modes with maximum
efficiency and minimal damage.

Pipeline - unrefined fossil fuels such as gas and oil from their point of origin to the
point where they can then be transferred to the refineries or another mode of
transportation.
INFRASTRUCTURES
Road-Transport Infrastructures - includes physical assets like the roads
themselves, as well as everything associated with them, for example bus stops,
trucking terminals, signage, drainage, and structures such as bridges or tunnels.

Port Infrastructures - the base for port operations to serve the vessel, cargo and
passengers which pass through ports.

Air-Transport Infrastructures - terminal buildings, runways, terminals, aprons,

control tower and facilities that directly support them.

Rail-Transport Infrastructures - includes all the structures, buildings, land, and

equipment to support rail lines.

TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS
Road Networks - refers to a system of interconnected roads that reflect the
movement needs, technological capabilities, and social structures of past
societies.

Air Networks - a global system of flight operations, connecting thousands of

different destinations through both direct services and services via major hub
airports.

Maritime Networks - establish wireless multi-hop networks to provide wireless

broadband service at sea, connecting various kinds of ships, maritime buoys, and
beacons.

Logistical Networks - directly or indirectly manages the transportation,

warehousing and distribution of products from point of manufacture to end user.

Rail Networks - refers to a system of interconnected railway lines that are used
for mass transportation purposes and have a significant carrying capacity.

Power Grids - a network of power lines and associated equipment used to

transmit and distribute electricity over a geographic area.
TRANSPORTATION FLOWS
Freight (Trade) - flows taking place to satisfy material demands ranging from raw
materials to finished goods and all the intermediate goods in between.

Passenger (Migration) - mainly symmetrical flows of people taking place for a

variety of reasons, most of them related to tourism, with air transportation being
the dominant mode supporting such flows.

Information (Telecommunication) - complex and extensive flows of information

used for communication, power exchanges (online order), and symbolic
exchanges (education).

ROAD CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

National Primary Roads – a contiguous length of significant road sections
extending linearly without any breaks or forks that connect major cities (at least
around 100,000 population) comprising the main trunk line or the backbone of the
national road system.

National Secondary Roads - roads that complement the primary roads and
provide access to other major population centers. They directly link smaller cities
and provincial capitals, airports, seaports, military bases and tourist centers to the
primary roads.

National Tertiary Roads - other existing roads under DPWH which perform a local
function.

Provincial Roads - Roads that connect cities and municipalities without using
national roads, and roads connecting major provincial infrastructure.

Municipality Roads - Roads within a Poblacion, Roads that connect to Provincial

and National Roads, Roads that provide inter-barangay connections to major
Municipal and City Infrastructure without traversing Provincial Roads.

Barangay Roads - are rural roads located either outside of the urban area of a
city or outside industrial, commercial or residential subdivisions which act as feeder
or farm-to-market roads, and which are not otherwise classified as national,
provincial, city or municipal roads.
CHALLENGES IN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
Traffic Congestion - occurs when the number of vehicles is larger than the
capacity of a road or intersection. As a result, vehicles pile up, velocity decreases
and trip time increases.

Environmental Impact - through the emissions from combustion of fossil-derived

fuels, transportation systems contribute to degraded air quality, as well as a
changing climate.

Safety and Concerns - refers to the measures taken to ensure the well-being of
individuals and prevent accidents in the transportation sector.

Funding and Investment - essential for companies and governments to invest in

transportation projects, upgrade infrastructure, and maintain operations.

INNOVATION IN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

Smart Transportation - refers to the integrated application of modern technology
and management strategies into transportation systems.

Sustainable Transportation - refers to low and zero-emission, energy-efficient,

and affordable modes of transport, including electric and alternative-fuel vehicles,
as well as domestic fuels.

Urban Mobility Solutions - aim to promote safer transportation that's more

sustainable, competitive, and universal. They've been developed to respond to the
needs of displacement in large cities; their main challenges are environmental
pollution and optimizing the time that citizens spend in daily commuting.
GROUP 3 – PHILIPPINES TRANSPORTATION
The transportation system in the Philippines faces several significant challenges,
impacting the efficiency, safety, and overall quality of transport services. Here are some
of the key problems:
1. Traffic Congestion
Metro Manila Gridlock: Traffic congestion is one of the most severe issues, particularly in
Metro Manila, where roads are often overcrowded. The high volume of vehicles,
inadequate road infrastructure, and poor urban planning contribute to daily gridlock,
leading to long commute times and reduced productivity.
2. Inadequate Infrastructure
Road Quality: Many roads across the country are in poor condition, with potholes, uneven
surfaces, and inadequate maintenance. This is especially problematic in rural areas,
where road access is critical for economic activities.

3. Safety Concerns

High Accident Rates: Road accidents are common due to factors like poor road
conditions, reckless driving, and inadequate enforcement of traffic laws. Pedestrians and
cyclists are particularly vulnerable due to the lack of proper infrastructure like sidewalks
and bike lanes.

Crime in Public Transport: Passengers are sometimes at risk of theft or other crimes,
especially in crowded and poorly monitored areas.

4. Environmental Impact

Air Pollution: The high number of old, poorly maintained vehicles contributes to severe air
pollution, particularly in urban areas. The reliance on diesel-powered jeepneys and buses
exacerbates this problem.

Noise Pollution: The dense traffic, combined with frequent honking and the general noise
of urban transport, contributes to significant noise pollution in cities.

TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION
1. Road Transportation - the most popular and adaptable types of land
transportation. It includes moving vehicles that provide flexible schedules and
routes on roads and highways.
• Cars - are small, personal cars with internal combustion or electric motors that may
accommodate up to five passengers.
• Buses - big motor vehicles that are used in public transportation networks to carry
many people on predetermined routes through cities or other places.
 • Trucks - massive, heavy vehicles that are used to move things. They might be tiny
pickup trucks or large freight trucks that can tow heavy loads.
• Motorcycles and Scooters - two-wheeled motor vehicles; motorcycles are typically
used for shorter, faster trips within cities, while scooters are more commonly used
for shorter trips.
• Bicycles - two-wheeled, human-powered, pedal-driven, environmentally friendly
vehicles that are frequently used for exercise, recreation, and quick commutes.
• Trams - electric-powered rail vehicles that operate on rails inserted into city streets
are known as trolleys, streetcars, or trams and are utilized as public transportation
in urban areas.
Advantages of Land Transportation:
• Accessibility
• Cost-Effective
• Traffic Congestion
• Infrastructure Maintenance
Challenges of Land Transportation:
• Flexibility
• Capacity
• Environmental Impact
• Safety Concerns

2. Water Transport - is the process of moving goods, people, etc. by water vessels
such as cargo ships, boats, etc. over a sea, canal, rivers, ocean, etc.
Types of Water Transport Routes:
Costal - Deep Water Transport
River - Local Form of Water Transport

Major Modes of Water Transportation:

Ferries and Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) Vessels - primary means of inter-island travel,
operating on fixed routes with established schedules and fares.
COMMONLY SEEN FERRIES IN THE PHILIPPINES:
2GO TRAVELS
SUPERCAT
OCEANJET
PASIG RIVER FERRY SERVICES
CEBU FERRY
Cargo Ship - known as any merchant ship or vessel that transmits massive goods and
commodities from one harbor to another.
SOME OF THE CARGO VESSELS COOMONLY SEEN IN THE PHILIPPINES:
2GO
COKALIONG SHIPPING LINES
PHIL NATIONAL LINES
PHILIPPINE SPAN ASIA CARRIER CORPORATION
MONTENEGRO SHIPPING LINES
Pump Boats (Banca/Bangka) - used for short-distance travel, island-hopping, and
fishing.
Baroto - a dug-out boat made and used by the Agusan Manobos and some Butuanons
primarily for fishing and transportation.

MAJOR PORTS AND HARBORS:

Port of Manila - the largest and busiest port in the country, serving as the main
gateway for international trade and passenger transport.

Port of Cebu - the main port in the Visayas region and is strategically located in
the central part of the Philippines.

Port of Davao - the principal port in the Mindanao region and serves as a major
gateway for trade and commerce.

FERRY TERMINAL:
Batangas Port - one of the busiest ferry terminals in the country and serves as a
gateway to various tourist destinations such as Puerto Galera and Boracay.
Dumaguete Port - major ferry terminal in the Visayas region and serves as a
gateway to popular tourist destinations such as Siquijor and Bohol.
Zamboanga Port - major gateway for sea transport in the Western Mindanao
region.

MAIN TYPES OF AIR TRANSPORT IN THE PHILIPPINES:

• CHARTER FLIGHTS
• GENERAL AVIATION
• GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY AVIATION
• COMMERCIAL AIRLINES
 Chapter Flights - used for transporting goods, especially to areas not regularly
serviced by commercial cargo airlines.

General Aviation
1. Private Plane - owned by individuals or companies, used for personal or
business purposes.
2. Helicopters - used for VIP transport, medical evacuation, and aerial surveys.
They are also popular in remote areas.

Government and Military Aviation

1. Military Aircraft - operated by the Philippine Air Force, used for defense,
disaster response, and humanitarian missions.
2. Coast Guard Aircraft - used for maritime patrol, search and rescue, and
environmental protection.

Commercial Airplanes
4 major commercial airlines in the country:
1. Cebu Pacific - a leading airline in the Philippines, known for its affordable fares,
extensive route network, and excellent service.
2. Air Asia – a subsidiary of the Malaysian low-cost airline AirAsia, it operates both
domestic and international flights, focusing on budget-conscious travelers.
3. Philippine Airlines – a subsidiary of the Malaysian low-cost airline AirAsia, it
operates both domestic and international flights, focusing on budget-conscious
travelers.
4. Sky Jet - also known as Magnum Air (SkyJet), Inc. is a boutique airline in the
Philippines. It operates as a regional carrier, focusing on providing premium
services to some of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.

RAILWAY TRANSPORT:
Manila Metro Rail Transit System (MRT) - a rapid transit system that primarily serves
Metro Manila, Philippines.
Manila Light Rail Transit System (LRT) - an urban rail transit system that primarily
serves Metro Manila, Philippines.