RBCawis

Traffic – Module 1 (Prelims)

Course Outcomes: Know the development of traffic and traffic management.

Module Objectives

✓ Know the history and development of traffic and transportation.

✓ Familiarize the basic terms, events and personalities in traffic management.
✓ Understand the functions of the different pillars of traffic.

Historical Background of Land Transportation

Transportation is the movement or conveying of persons and goods from one location to
another purpose of [Link]’s need to travel dates back as early as the creation of human
beings Biblical passages alleged that when Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the forbidden tree,
God sent them out from Paradise of [Link] then, the human race expanded and our
ancestors constantly move from one place to another to enable them to survive and others for
various [Link] biblical passages mentioned that Moses was chosen by God to speak to
the Pharaoh of Egypt to let His children out of Egypt. So the children of Israel were gloriously
brought out from Egypt to serve [Link], others became nomadic. They constantly migrate
from one place to another according to their own detailed knowledge of exploitable
[Link] term nomad, from the Greek word “to pasture”, was originally used to refer to
pastoralists groups that migrate in an established pattern to find pasturelands for their domestic
livestock. However, the term has since been generalized to include all non-settled populations,
of which there are three types:

The Origin of the Word Traffic

The word traffic originates from a Greco-Roman word “Trafico” with reference to the
movement of people that dates back from the dawns of history, from the domesticated horse
drawn wheels to horseless carriage. The Greek originally called the system “Trafiga” after the
early horse-drawn chariots with spoke wheels. If savant of Rome is to be believed, there is no
dispute that the word trafigo is a Greco-Roman word, but the word traffic was crafted from the
famous “Trafalgar Square” the hub-center of commerce and culture in the heart of London.
But in Latin, the word traffic is denominated as “Commercium” with reference to the movement
and control of goods in transit, from unwheeled axle to horseless carriage. This intellectual
discourse of discoveries only to reinforce the universal dictum, that traffic refers to the
movement of people and goods and not vehicle. Early 16th century via obsolete French
Trafique from Old Italian Traffico from Tafficare‘to carry on trade’ of uncertain origin.

The E’s of Traffic:

The concept of traffic was originated from Egypt even though it was claimed by other
countries. While its sophistication and the principle of the three E’s Enforcement, Engineering
and Education was developed in Rome, there is however, no historical barrier that the original
traffic philosophy began in Egypt. By the passage of time, Economy and Environment were
added to the pillars of traffic. So at present, there are five pillars of traffic namely: Engineering,
Education, Enforcement, Economy and Environment.
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A. Early Modes of Transportation

It originated in the Stone Age during the primitive years wherein man used sled the early
man have gotten the idea for skiffs-pieces of smooth board resembling sled runner but worn on
the feet of the hunter and inter of snow-shoes. The first water craft, the manpower ran, and the
cause probably evolved from the floating log.
1. Carrying pole
2. Back load and Tumpline
3. Sledge on rollers
4. Sledge on runners
5. Travois

B. Animal Power

1. Ox – It was first domesticated in Mesopotamia

2. Reindeer – first domesticated in Siberia around the beginning of the Christian Era
3. Dog – first animal domesticated
4. Donkey – first domesticated in Middle East
5. Llama – pre-Columbian America, the Llama was only new world animal other than
the dog capable of domestication for use in transport
6. Elephant – Carthaginians used African elephant in their war against Rome
7. Horse – around 2, 000 B.C.
8. Camel – bred by the Arab nomads
9. Yak – a long-haired animal on the Tibetan plateau

C. Wind Power

1. Ancient Chinese Kite – was first used for transportation when a Korean general
employed one in bridge building.
2. Da Vinci’s Ornithopler – made used of the flight of the birds and his notebooks
sketched a number of ornithopter which derives its principal support and propelling
from flepping wings like those of a bird.
3. Montgolfler Balloon – Brother Joseph Michel and Jacques Entienne of France have
successfully released several balloons when they propose to use two condemned
prisoner for the first ascent with passengers. Pilatre de Rozier, a natural historian
protested this and claimed the honor for himself. In 1783, he and the Marquis d’
Arlanoes became the first men to make a free balloon ascent.
4. Siemens’ Rocket Plane – Ernst Werner Von Siemens, in 847, designed rocket place
which was to be propelled by the explosive force of gunpowder.
5. Lilienthal Glider – Otto Lilienthal, a German inventor who also made a study of the
flight of the birds and experimented with ornithopters, going so far as to build a
model ornithopter. His chief work was with gliders.
6. Santos Dumont’s Airship – Alberto Santos Dumont, a Brazilian who experiment with
the steam-powered balloons in Paris made his first balloon ascent in 1897 and 1898
completed the construction of his first airship.
7. Wright Brother’s Flying Machine – built biplane kite then over 200 different wing
types which they tested in a wind tunnel of their own invention, before they
conducted their first man-carrying powdered machine.
8. Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis – the first solo flight from New York to Paris, made by
Capt. Charles A. Lindbergh in May 1927.
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Roads and Vehicles History

A. Wheel was invented probably in Western Asia

1. Solid wheels on fixed axle – cart represents an early step in the evolution of wheeled
vehicles. Its solid wheels which were made of a single piece of wood, rotated or
single axle.
2. Sumerian chariot with flank wheels – drawn by four horses was a light and elegant
vehicle.
3. Greek quadriga with spoked wheels – drawn by four horses was a light and elegant
vehicle for gentleman about 250 B.C.
4. Roman Carpentum – a closed, two-wheeled cart, the favored vehicle when Roman
women journeyed outside the city.
5. Italian cocchio, 1288 – a traveling wagon in which the passengers were protected by
a covering or leather or cloth fixed over a wooden framework.
B. Wheeled Vehicles could not use the narrow paths and trails used by pack animals, and
early roads were soon built.
C. The Romans were the major road builders in the ancient world.
D. John L. Macadam – perfected the Macadamized Road in England about 1815.
E. After the fall of the Romans in the 5th century, land haulage generally declined because
highways suffered from inadequate maintenance. Such improvements, however, as the
horse collars (10th century), the addition of spring to coaches; new methods of road
construction, and the introduction of toll roads (18th century) all continued to ease and
speed land travel.
F. Significant improvement of road vehicle began with the adaption of Coach Spring about
1650.
G. John Palmer introduced his first fast mail coach in March 1785.
H. The Invention of Bicycle – early 19th century served as a nursery of automobile builders.
One of the modern ancestors of the modern bicycle was the Hobbyhorse, or dan horse.
• The German Baron Karl Von Drais in 1817 introduced a steerable wheel,
creating the “draisienne”, or “dandy horse”.
• In 1838, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a Scotish blacksmith, made the first machine with
pedals, which were attached to and drove the rear wheel by means of cranks.
I. Pneumatic Tires by a Scot – John Boyd Dunlop appeared in late 19th century (about
1888).
J. Motor Vehicle – the first mode of transportation to challenge the railroads.
1. French Entiene Lenoir made possible the introduction of motorized carriages by his
invention in the 1860’s of the Internal Combustion Engine.
2. Nicolaus Otto and Gottlieb Daimler pioneered the manufacture of gas engines, and
later Daimler became a successful automobile manufacturer.
3. Rudolf Diesel, a German engineer, developed an engine, which requires no electrical
ignition system or carburetor and uses other form of liquid fuel, the diesel fuel.
4. Automobile found its greatest popularity in the U.S. first HORSELESS CARRIAGE
(1990’s).
5. In 1908, Henry Ford introduced the Model T which was proved so popular that 1914,
Ford had adopted MASS PRODUCTION.
6. In 1956, Felix Wankel, a German mathematician, developed an advanced-type of
engine, named after him, that operates very differently from gas and diesel engines.
It was started by a moving crankshaft.

Learning Activity 1

In not less than 250 words, discuss how the word traffic has originated.
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Basic Definition of Terms

Roadway – it refers to that part of the traffic way over which motor vehicle pass.
Shoulder – it refers to either side of the roadway, especially along highways.
Traffic – it refers to the movement of persons, goods, or vehicles, either powdered by
combustion system or animal drawn, from one place to another for the purpose of travel.
Traffic way – it refers to the 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.

[Link] ENGINEERING

• It is the science of measuring traffic and travel.

• It is the study of basic laws relative to traffic and regulations.
• It is 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:

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

• Supervisions and maintenance to the application of traffic control devices.
• Planning of traffic regulations.

Objectives of Traffic Engineering

• To achieve efficient, free and rapid flow of traffic.

• To prevent traffic accident.
• To simplify police enforcement actions and performance.
• To show that good police actions and performance make engineering plans effective.
• To present the close relationship of the pillars of traffic in the improvement of traffic
problems.

Agencies concerned in Traffic Engineering

1. DPWH (Department of Public Work and Highways)

2. Provincial Government – municipalities within the province.
3. Municipal Government – network of streets and roads within the barangay.
4. Chartered Cities – barangay within the cities.

Application to the Objectives of Traffic Engineering

1. Habitually congested commercial areas.

2. Heavily travelled thoroughfares
3. Congested local areas and intersections
4. Special occasions and events
5. Disaster or emergencies
6. School crossing

Methods in Achieving the Objectives of Traffic Engineering

1. Planning and Geometric Design – Factors employed in Planning

a. Composition of traffic streams
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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

3. Regulation and Control Traffic-Regulation

a. Base and confined within the within the boundaries of safety, public welfare and
convenience.
b. Limitations impose on road users and their load.
c. Basic General Rule of road use and conduct.
d. Prohibition and Restrictions.

B. TRAFFIC EDUCATION

• It is the process of giving training and practice in the actual application of traffic safety
knowledge.

Safety Training

The three principles that have been emphasized as effective in the prevention of traffic
accidents are known as the three (3) E’s of traffic: Engineering, education, and enforcement

Three Levels 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.

TRAFFIC SAFETY FOR CHILDREN

This is highly unsystematic and is usually carried out in the home through parental
education and in kindergarten and nurseries. This is now necessary to make it systematic to
lessen the number of children fatalities and injuries.
1. Elementary
* Safety and guides stressing traffic safety.
* Classroom discussion of accidents, incidents and safety rules.
* Organize safety patrols.
2. Secondary
* Initiating driver education program. Students have reached the age to drive; hence,
proper driving habit should be stressed.
* School safety organizations.
3. Tertiary
* Offer and conduct courses to public and private agencies regarding safety subjects.

TRAFFIC SAFETY EDUCATION FOR ADULTS

It is relatively easier because adults are in a better position to understand what is being
taught to [Link] is a general belief that by being a better driver, it follows that one becomes a
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better pedestrian. By knowing the limitations of the driver and the vehicle as a driving student,
one learns to watch out for dangerous cues such as pedestrians.

DRIVER EDUCATION

The basic purpose of this are:

• To develop good traffic citizens who are equipped to live in a motorized society and
achieving traffic safety.
• To develop citizens who are legally eligible to get a driver’s license.
In general, driver instruction aims primarily to teach the rudiments of driving.
Secondary aims are as follows:
• To instill awareness of one’s legal and moral responsibilities in traffic.
• To teach the abilities required for one to be eligible for a driver’s license.

Four Basic Types of Instruction Methods used in Driver Education Program

1. Comprehensive
This method places the student into real life of driving situation from the beginning.
2. Traditional Instruction
This type of instructions depends on instruction-student communication.
3. Commentary Driving Method
The student-driver accompanied by an instructor. As a student-driver drives, the
instructor has to give commentary on his driving – what he sees, what he does, why he does,
what he proposes to do, what others are likely to do, etc.
4. Simulated Conditions and Off the Road Training
The premise of simulated conditions training is that the behavior of the driver – subject
placed in a condition will be relatively analogous to normal behavior.
Two Methods of Simulation Presently Adopted are:
1. Partial Simulation Method
This method has the specific aim of training for the “subtask” of the driving task.
2. Global Simulation
Training is simulated in the traffic situations and conditions with the use of simulations.
Simulators are most commonly used for the following types of training:
- Training in basic car-control skill
- Perceptual training
- Emergency training.

Classification of films as shown by the simulators

1. The analytical film which provides an “objective” analysis of the driving situation presented
to the student.
2. The didactic film which aims to show good driving behavior.
3. The simulation film which offers “visual realism” to driving situations and therefore a good
aid in actual practice.

Simulator
It is a static machine with all the important features of a car used in driving method or
driving training.

Biorhythm
The theory which asserts that man exhibits a constant difference of life energy and mood
states.
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Controversial Theory of Biorhythm

1. 23 days cycle a.k.a our cycle of strength, endurance and courage (the male/component of a
person)
2. 28 days emotional cycle equivalent to a female 28 days menstrual cycle is also known as our
cycle of sensitivity, love and intuition (the female component of a person)
3. 33 days intellectual cycle
Accordingly, when the curve the center line, the biorhythm value is said TO BE “high” or
a person has more energy to spare, i.e.:
1. Physical high – we tend to be energetic, strong, full of vitality
2. Emotional high – we tend to be creative, artistic, cheerful and happy
3. Intellectual high – we are able to think quickly and logically
When the curve is below the center line, the biorhythm is said to be “low” in recharged
period, i.e.:
1. Physical low – we tend to tire quickly and to succumb to illness easily.
2. Emotional low – we feel moody, irritable, or depressed.
3. Intellectual low – concentrating or remembering is difficult or we are likely to use
poor judgment when any of the curves crossed the center line. This called a
critical day, people tend to get sick easily, seem to lack coordination and tend to
be accident prone.

ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF DRIVING TASK

1. Collection of information
a. Perceptual scanning
b. Identification
2. Processing of information
a. Predicting
b. Decision making
3. Action
a. Motor skills and control of vehicles
4. Knowledge and subjective interpretation

PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAMS

The public should be informed on all activities affecting the citizens and the community
relating to traffic (dissemination of information).

Safety Campaign

❖ This is a mass publicity aimed to make road users to behave more safely.
This basically focuses on public information attitudes, and behaviors, or combination of
these.
❖ Road propaganda maybe 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.
A. Safety campaign Classification
1. According to purpose – maybe categorized as informational, attitudinal and behavioral.
2. Kind of appeal – used to reason by simply feeding the public with authenticated factual
data.
B. Safety Campaign Design
1. Initial campaign planning
2. Final campaign design
3. Campaign Evaluation
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C. Private and Government Entities Responsible for Safety Campaign (newspapers, radio
broadcasting networks, television broadcasting networks, and public information agencies.)
CITIZEN SUPPORT GROUPS- voluntary (NGO’S)
1. Develop citizen’s responsibilities
2. Conduct organized educational campaign
3. Awareness of the traffic problems
4. Major traffic requirements and needs.

Learning Activity 2

[Link] not less than 150 words, differentiate the terms “roadway” and “traffic way”. You can also
use examples or illustrations.

2. In not less than 150 words, distinguish “comprehensive driving training” from “simulated
driving training”.

[Link] ENFORCEMENT

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

I. Land Transportation Office (LTO)

1. Vehicle registrations
2. Vehicle inspections
3. Driver’s licensing (examinations, suspensions and revocations)
4. Public to police on stolen or wanted vehicles.
II. Legislation
1. Passing of laws and ordinances
2. Congress
3. Council (city/municipal)
4. Provincial boards
5. Appropriations of budget
III. Police – direct enforcement of traffic laws
1. PNP
2. MMDA-NCR
3. Police Auxiliaries

What traffic laws are?

All traffic law enforcement is based on the traffic laws.

1. The first law concerning driving behavior, which was developed mostly from
experience over the years, resulted from customs and common usage.
2. Traffic laws, like all other laws, reflect the beliefs, behavior and standard agreed on
by the society.

Why people violate traffic laws?

1. Physical disabilities or infirmities

2. Ignorance of traffic laws, rules and regulations
3. Mental disorders
4. Lack of training and experience
5. Wrong attitudes towards driving, risk taking, enforcement and traffic laws
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6. Habitual traffic violators

7. Driver’s of public utility vehicles for increase compensation and commission.

Considerations that act as deterrents to motorist and pedestrians

1. Fear of the punishment

2. Loss of driving privileges
3. Possibility of being involved in accident
4. Positive area of good citizenship doing what is right and setting an example

Traffic Law Enforcement

Traffic law enforcement action is part of enforcement involving the arrest, issuance of
Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) or Inspection Report Summons, or warning of any persons
who is believed to have violated a law, ordinance, or regulation pertaining to the use of traffic
roads.

Scope of Traffic Law Enforcement

1. The action taken by the police and the court to compel obedience to traffic laws and
ordinances regulating the movement and use of motor vehicles for the purpose of
creating a deterrent to unlawful behavior by all potential violators.
2. Enforcement of Traffic Legislation is an area of activity aimed at controlling road users,
let behavior by preventive, persuasive, and punitive methods in order to effect a safe
and efficient movement.
3. It applies to all statutes, ordinances and legally authorized regulations relating to the use
of street and highways and operation of motor vehicles.

Functions of Traffic Law Enforcement

1. Police Traffic Law Enforcement

The part of traffic law enforcement performed by the police and other agencies with
police power including deterrent to law violation created by the presence of uniformed
police officers and their special equipment, special assistance to courts and prosecutors
and incidental services to highway users.
2. Court Traffic Law Enforcement
The part of traffic law enforcement performed by the court by adjudication and
penalization.
3. Police-Court Enforcement Process
a. Detection
b. Apprehension
c. Prosecution
d. Adjudication
e. Penalization

Three Important Goals of Enforcement Activities

1. To increase safety level

2. To increase traffic efficiency
3. To insure harmonious and comfortable environment

Objectives of Traffic Law Enforcement

1. Preventive Activities
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2. Persuasive Activities
3. Punitive Activities

Major Elements of Traffic Enforcement System

1. Enforcement System
It consists of legislation, police, courts and penalties.
2. Road Users System (traffic way users)
It includes pedestrians, drivers and passengers and vehicles.
3. Road System (traffic system)
It consists of the entire road and vehicle complex.

POLICE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION

The part of police traffic law enforcement involving arrest, citation or warning of any
person believed to have violated law, ordinance or rules and regulations pertaining to the sue of
traffic ways, when the person has knowledge of his action and when it is to:
1. Prevent such violation from endangering persons or property or inconveniencing
other users of the traffic way.
2. Prevent continued violation.
3. Discourage future violation.

Decision of Enforcement Action

1. Degree of violation
2. Accuracy of observation
3. Continuous or momentary action
4. Traffic and weather condition
5. Evidence gathered
6. A new law or not

Kinds of Enforcement Action

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:
a. Offense committed is serious
b. Detention is necessary to avoid continued violation
c. There is reasonable doubt that the violator will not appear in court
2. Traffic Citation- is made of having violator appear in court without physical arrest.
3. Traffic Warning- is 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

1. Visual Warning- usually used when you have observed a minor violation but are more
importantly occupied at a moment. It is indicated by gesture of the hand and or of the
head.
2. Verbal Warning- a form of traffic safety education. Tell the driver or violator that he
violated a law and explain the hazards of such violations.
3. Written Warning- combination of verbal warning and citations. It gives the spirit of
verbal warning and the form of citation.
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Learning Activity 3

A. Identification: Identify the word or group of words being referred to by the statements.

1. The Greco-Roman term for traffic

2. The three original pillars of traffic

3. The inventor of a tire that is inflated by wind

4. The portion of road that you use when you drive a vehicle

5. The type of driver training used when you are placed in a real life situation

6. The theory which discusses that mood change can be a cause of accident

7. The first pillar of traffic

8. The term used to refer to people who travel from one place to another without definite home

9. The first goal of enforcement activity

10. The part of the road that you use to stop or park

B. Discussion

In not less than 300 words, enumerate and summarily discuss the functions of the three
original pillars of traffic.

References

Delizo, Darlito G. Traffic Management and Accident Investigation. Wiseman’s Book Trading. 2009
Soriano, Oscar G. Traffic Management and Accident Investigation. Wiseman’s Book Trading. 2012