CETRAN30: Principles of Transportation Engineering

MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION

ENGR. JANELLE E. GERIO, MSc.

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY Transportation Engineer
TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING
Transportation Engineering is a field or branch of Civil Engineering that deals with
the application of technology and specific principles to planning, functional
design, operation and management of facilities for any mode of transportation in
order to provide safe, rapid, comfortable, convenient, economical, and
environmentally compatible movement of people and goods.

Modes of Transportation:
1. By Air
2. By Water
3. By Land
METRO MANILA MAJOR ROAD
NETWORK

➢ 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.
➢ There are about 11,500 bridges in the national
network.
➢ Metro Manila comprises sixteen cities and one
municipality (NSCB 2007). Its land area is 636 sq. km.,
and it has a population of 10.4 million.

Source: MMUTIS
METRO MANILA MAJOR ROAD
NETWORK

➢ 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.
METRO MANILA MAJOR ROAD
NETWORK

➢ Many of the roads have reached their capacity. Due to

traffic congestion, the average travel speed is estimated
to be as low as 14kph, with roughly one-third of the travel
time wasted.
 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
➢ The mode of public transportation in Metro Manila is
predominantly road-based, consisting largely of trains,
jeepneys and buses as primary and secondary routes, and
motorized tricycles and pedicabs for feeder routes.
➢ The jeepneys cover more than 610 km of the 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. Ride-Sharing Services
such as Angkas, Move it, and Joyride, are gaining popularity
and high demand in Metro Manila.
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Active transportation refers to modes of travel that rely on

human physical activity for movement, typically walking,
cycling, or other non-motorized forms of transportation. It is an
environmentally friendly and health-promoting way to get from
one place to another.
➢ Walking: Walking to work, school, or shops.

➢ Cycling: Using a bicycle for commuting or errands.

➢ Skateboarding: As alternatives for short distances.

➢ Using Assistive Mobility Devices: Such as wheelchairs or

hand cycles for those with mobility challenges.
 PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES
➢ Sidewalks are in relatively good condition; however, many
obstructions can be found on them such as illegal
vendors, electrical posts, etc. With the sidewalk occupied,
pedestrians have to walk on the carriageway.
➢ There are few overhead pedestrian bridges in Metro
Manila, but some pedestrians still prefer to cross the
road at grade level. Moreover, pedestrian overpasses are
often inaccessible to the elderly and the handicapped.
 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

➢ Traffic control devices such as traffic signs and

markings generally follow international standard, the
Philippines being a signatory to the Vienna
Convention in 1968. However, many of the road signs
installed conform neither to color nor shape as
provided for in the standard. The number of traffic
signs installed is generally insufficient (Sigua 2008).
VEHICLE REGISTRATION
Motor Vehicles are classified as follows:
➢ Private Vehicles – refers to motor vehicles owned by private individuals or companies
and are not intended to be used for hire.
➢ For Hire Vehicles – refers to motor vehicles authorized to be used as public vehicles
by virtue of franchise granted by the LTFRB.
➢ Official/Government Vehicles – refers to motor vehicles owned by the Government.

➢ Diplomatic Vehicles – refers to vehicles owned by foreign governments or by their

diplomatic officials in the Philippines.
DRIVING LICENSE
The issuing procedure of a driving license is provided for under the Republic Act (RA) 4136. The LTO
has full responsibility for the issuance of driving licenses.
Three types of driving licenses:
➢ 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.
➢ Non-professional Driver’s License – the 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 alcoholic.
➢ Professional Driver’s License - the applicant must be at least eighteen years old and must be a
holder of a valid non-professional license for at least five months. He or she must be physically and
mentally fit to operate a motor vehicle and must not be a drug user or alcoholic.
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT AND LEGISLATIVE
FRAMEWORK
➢ Traffic laws are enforced by the Traffic Management Group (TMG), the traffic division of each police
district, 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 (MMDA).
➢ In Metro Manila, the TMG and the MMDA assist each other in traffic management, especially when
ongoing infrastructure projects cause heavy congestion.
➢ Republic Act 4136, 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 the Public 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.
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT AND LEGISLATIVE
FRAMEWORK

➢ 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 in the country.
➢ Executive Order 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 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.
HIGHWAY INTERSECTION
General area where two or more highways join or cross. For two or more
directional traffic, perpendicular intersections are the most desirable.
There are three (3) types of intersection, namely: At-grade, Grade Separated
(without ramps), and Interchange;
➢ At-grade Intersection – the adjoining roads in a highway intersection exist in
the same road level.

Unchannelized Channelized Multi-leg Rotary

HIGHWAY INTERSECTION
HIGHWAY INTERSECTION
➢ Grade Separated Intersection – the adjoining roads in a highway
intersection exist on different road level (1st level and 2nd level).
➢ With this type of intersection, greatest efficiency, safety, capacity can
be attained.
➢ Major roadways can either go under (underpass) or over (overpass)
another road based on existing topography.
HIGHWAY INTERSECTION
➢ Interchange – similar to the previous type of intersection, but with
provision of ramps (to access other road level).
➢ It is a system of interconnecting roadways, in conjunction with one or
more grade separations.
HIGHWAY INTERSECTION: INTERCHANGE
 HIGHWAY INTERSECTION: INTERCHANGE

TRUMPET INTERCHANGE CLOVERLEAF INTERCHANGE

HIGHWAY INTERSECTION: INTERCHANGE

ALL DIRECTIONAL FOUR LEG INTERCHANGE

FREEWAY ENTRANCE AND EXIT
➢ It is a part of an interchange where vehicles from different road level
utilizing different design speed, enter or exit a freeway - also called an
expressway in local setting. (NLEX, CAVITEX, SCTEX, SLEX, SKYWAY, TPLEX).
 TRAFFIC SURVEYS
Traffic Volume

a. By tallying
This is the simplest and most practical in the absence of any mechanic or automatic counting device. Tally
sheets are used to record the number of vehicles.

b. Using Manual Counters

A mechanical device that is useful when the volume is high.

c. Using Automatic Counters

When a traffic count of very long duration is required, one may resort to automatic counters through the use
of detectors. A simple type of automatic counter is a pneumatic tube laid transversely across the road.

d. Using Video Cameras

This may be used to take footage of the traffic flow. Counts may be then carried out later through tally or
manual method while watching the video.
TRAFFIC SURVEYS
Spot Speed

a. Radar Speed Meter

The radar speed meter is positioned at the edge of the roadway at an angle of about 15 degrees with the
centerline and is directed toward the incoming vehicles.

b. Manual Method
Also called the “trap length” method. In this method, two lines, 30-50m apart, are drawn transversely on
the pavement. A stopwatch then measures the “travel time” of the vehicle within the “trap.” The length of
the trap is divided by the travel time to estimate the speed.
 TRAFFIC SURVEYS
Travel Time and Delay Studies

a. Test Car Technique

The method makes use of a test vehicle that is driven over the road section under study. The driver is
instructed to travel at a speed that in his opinion is representative of the speed of the traffic stream.
b. License Plate Method
When details on delay are not important, the license plate method may be conducted. The method
basically consists of observing and recording the license plates of vehicles and the time of arrival at two
points or more on the road where the vehicles are expected to pass.
c. Moving Observer Method
One of the most common survey methods for obtaining information on traffic volume, speed, and
density of a given section of road is the so-called observer method. The method consists of one or two
test cars traveling back and forth within the section. A team is composed of at least two observers and
one timer. One observer counts the number of vehicles moving in the opposite direction; another
observer counts the number of vehicles that pass them as well as the number of vehicles they pass; the
timer notes down the time it takes to traverse the section.
 INTERSECTION DESIGN CONTROL
METHODS OF CONTROL OF INTERSECTIONS

Conflicts occur at intersections. The more number of legs an intersection has, the more conflict has. Figures
below show the number of conflicts of three-leg and four-leg intersections

Intersection Type
Type of Conflict
Three-leg Four-leg
Diverging 3 8
Merging 3 8
Crossing 3 16
TOTAL 9 32
VOLUME CAPACITY
Level of Volume/Capacity
Description
Service Ratio
A Less than 0.20 Free flow traffic
B 0.21-0.50 Reasonable freedom to select speed.
C 0.51-0.70 Restricted in selecting speed.
D 0.71-0.85 Moderate/Unstable flow
E 0.86-1.00 Heavy Traffic
F >1 Forced flow, stop and go
LEVEL OF SERVICE
Level of Volume/Capacity
Description
Service Ratio
A Less than 0.20 Free flow traffic
B 0.21-0.50 Reasonable freedom to select speed.
C 0.51-0.70 Restricted in selecting speed.
D 0.71-0.85 Moderate/Unstable flow
E 0.86-1.00 Heavy Traffic
F >1 Forced flow, stop and go
GROUP PROJECT: CASE STUDY
Case Study: Improving Traffic Flow at a Busy Urban Intersection in Metro Manila
Task: Your goal is to find a problematic intersection within Metro Manila and propose
improvements to the operation, including changes to signal timing, geometric design, and
traffic management strategies.
Data to be provided:
• Intersection Layout: Four-leg intersection with left-turn lanes on all approaches.
Pedestrian crosswalks on any legs.
• Traffic Volume (AM Peak Hour): Northbound, Southbound, Eastbound, Westbound
• Pedestrian Volume
• Current Signal Timings: Cycle length and each phase duration
• Speed Limits and Geometry
• Photos of intersections, pedestrian facilities, vehicle composition, etc
Important Dates:
• December 11, 2024 (Wednesday) – Submission of the proposed project location
• December 21, 2024 (Saturday) – Traffic Survey and Data Gathering
• January 8, 2025 (Wednesday) – Interim Assessment 1 [online]
• January 18, 2025 (Saturday) – Midterm Exam
• February 5, 2025 (Wednesday) – Tentative submission of partial project output
• February 15, 2025 (Saturday) – Interim Assessment 2
• February 19, 2025 (Wednesday) – Final Submission of Project
• Feb 27 to Mar 5 – Final Exam
Topic next week:

INTERSECTION DESIGN AND CONTROL