THE PILLARS OF

TRAFFIC
PILLARS OF TRAFFIC
 These are the main areas of traffic managements which are also known as the “Es” of Traffic.
For a clearer understanding of the various areas of traffic management, the following pillars
are conceived.
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 transportation 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
government agencies.
management, traffic engineering is done by various government and non-

(1) DPWH. Its 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 road systems.
(2) Provincial Governments. These local government units have similar responsibilities with the DPWH but
limited to traffic facilities in the municipalities within the province.
(3) Municipal Governments. Their responsibilities are similar to the provincial government but limited to the
network of streets and roads within the barangays.
 (4) Chartered Cities. Their responsibilities are similar to that of the municipal government but limited to the
network of streets and roads within the cities
OBJECTIVES OF TRAFFIC
ENGINEERING
In summary, agencies and individuals in traffic engineering and all the conducted
programs, projects, 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
accidents traffic build-up, or traffic obstructions 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 disasters or emergencies
 (6) At school crossings.
METHODS IN ACHIEVING THE
OBJECTIVES OF TRAFFIC
ENGINEERING
Traffic engineers’ primary consideration is the construction of traffic ways. However, before a plan or design is
framed-up, various factors are given into account.
(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 oftraffic units.
 (e)Performance values of road users.
METHODS IN ACHIEVING THE
OBJECTIVES OF TRAFFIC
ENGINEERING
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 road use and conduct
 (d)Prohibition and Restrictions.
TRAFFIC EDUCATION
 refers to any act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge on traffic or any
matters relating to the use of the trafficway or road ways.Traffic safety education is the
primary concern of traffic education in the area of accident reduction and prevention. The
following are the agencies and offices responsible for traffic education:
TRAFFIC EDUCATION
A. Schools (Public and 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.
Elementary. In this level, traffic education is focused on safety and guides stressing traffic
safety, classroom discussions of accidents, incidents and safety rules, organizing safety patrols.
Secondary . Traffic education for high schools students is geared towards school safety
organizations.
 Higher Education. Some colleges and universities offer and conduct courses regarding traffic
safety subjects.
TRAFFIC EDUCATION
. Public Information Programs. The public should be informed on all activities affecting the
citizens and the community relating to traffic (dissemination of information). This can be done
through the public information agency, newspapers, radio and television broadcasting networks,
and other forms of media.

 C. Citizen Support Groups. These are mostly composed by voluntary non-government

organizations (NGOs), radio communication groups, rotary organizations and other voluntary
clubs. These organizations usually develop citizens ‘responsibilities, conduct organized
educational campaign, instill awareness of the traffic problems; and provide information
regarding major traffic requirements and needs
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 involved in enforcement of
traffic laws:
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT
. 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. Included 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
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.
WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF
THE URBANIZATION OF TRANSPORTATION?

Any decision in modernizing the transportation system shall consider the following
environmental effects:
Noise. The ill effect of noise is one of the major considerations in the evaluation of the
consequences of traffic urbanization to the environment. The level of noise inside and outside a
dwelling is an important indicator of the quality of life. The exact influence of traffic noise on
human behavior is not well understood. It is known that continued exposure to noise level
beyond 80 dBA (decibel annually) causes loss of hearing. Average background noise:
(a) typical home – 40 to 50 dBA;
(b) heavy trucks – 90 dBA at 15m/ft;
(c) freight trains – 75 dBA at 15m/ft;
 (d) air conditioning – 60 dBA at 6m/ft.
WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
OF THE URBANIZATION OF
TRANSPORTATION?
Vibration - Effect can be severe, particularly when there are heavy trucks and when the building
is old. While there are subjective costs from experiencing vibration, a minimum cost of damage
or prevention can be established from experience and experiment.

Air Pollution - It is one of the more difficult problems because of the complexity of the issues
involved. The effects of pollution are also strongly affected by meteorological and even by
micro-climate.

 Dirt - These are foul and filthy substances related to motor vehicle use such as empty can of
oils, grease materials, etc.
WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF
THE URBANIZATION OF TRANSPORTATION?

Visual Intrusion - This can have positive as well as negative effects. If a motor way blots out an unsightly
prison or railway yard, motor it may have positive benefits.On the other hand, the appearance of an
elevated expressway or railway above a neighborhood is one of the aspects most frequently complained
of. In general, visual intrusion can be avoided by putting a highway or railway at grade or in a cutting. In
many cases, there may be cheaper solution.

Loss of Privacy - Loss of privacy from drivers and others being able to look at one’s house and garden
frequently disliked environment effect. Walls and earthworks would prevent this, while at the same time
reducing noise.

 Changes in Amount of Light - It is easier up to a point because part of the disadvantages can be valued
in term of the additional lighting costs of those affected. But, there is probably a psychological element
also which it would not be easy or perhaps necessary, to disentangle where relevant from the last two
items.
WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF
THE URBANIZATION OF TRANSPORTATION?

Neighborhood Severance, both physical and sociological - This can partly be quantified in terms
of changed travel time costs, and accident experience to pedestrians and traffic.

Relocation - There must be programs that are designed to cover compensation for those who
relocate as as a a consequence of transport investment, whether property owner or tenants. The
people relocated will tend to be decentralized as will as those sufficiently affected by the
environment consequences to refer to move.

 Distraction during planning and construction - In some cases, benefits offset the distraction
cost, which are experienced by people during construction of new facilities, loss of business,
excess noise, dirt, vibration during constructing and excess journey costs through diversions
because of building.
WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF
THE URBANIZATION OF TRANSPORTATION?

Accident Experiences - These are evaluated by well established procedures of which perhaps the
only major controversial aspect is the valuation given to human life. A certain amount is known
about differences in accident experience on different roads and in different circumstances.

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.

 Congestion and Other Benefits to Vehicles - It is for a livable and safe residential environment by
reducing “through” vehicle travel. Travel must be made convenient. Highway diversion curves
indicate that 80 percent of the traffic will take a route that is 20 percent faster . Vehicle travel time
is made up of three components; free flowing travel, stop time and acceleration or deceleration.
EXTERNAL FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE
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. Below are the incidents that may affect the behavior of trafficway users or road users-
(1) Rapidly increasing population growth.
(2) Rapidly increasing urbanization.
(3) Rapidly increasing motorization
(4) Industrialization and technical modernization
 (5) Improvement of the transportation network that is the street network and the public
transportation facilities.
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. The
following are some of the proposed activities that may reduce the adverse effects of traffic
development to our ecology:
Towns are better with less traffic, so long as adequate provision is made for the mobility of
workers and residents and the distribution of goods. It is of urgent necessity that National and
Local Government develop efforts to reduce the adverse effects of motor traffic in urban areas.
 Where and when traffic congestion and its cost are serve and frequent, assures to reduce the
use of private cars and goods, vehicles and to improve alternative forms of transport should be
introduce
ALTERNATIVES
To limit traffic and to improve the efficiency and quality of service of buses and transport.
Pedestrian scheme should be introduced whenever possible to improve the environment and
safety for pedestrians.
The use of non-carbon emitting vehicles should be encouraged like bicycle whenever practical
 Motor Vehicle reduction scheme should also be introduced.
LAWS AND STATUTES CONCERNING
TRAFFIC ECOLOGY

P.D. 1181. Providing for the prevention, 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 pollutants from
motor vehicles in order to protect the health and welfare of the people and to prevent or
minimize damage to property and hazards to land transportation”.
Letter of Instruction No. 551. Directing the law enforcement agencies to implement the
pollution control program.
 RA. 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.
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. Primarily, traffic operation is designed to expedite the movement of
traffic. However, with the prevailing traffic congestion during rush hours in any given locality,
traffic adversely affects the economic status of the commuting public.
 One aspect affecting our economy is the unending increase of oil prices in the world market.
Somehow programs must be instituted in order to minimize the ill effect of rising prices of
basic commodities. Delays resulting from traffic congestion affect not only the time of travel
but the productivity of an individual as well.