CDI 4 Traffic Mngt.

& Accident Investigation w/ Driving

TRANSPORTATION – It is the movement or conveying of persons and goods

from one location to another
·         Man’s need to travel dates back as early as the creation of human beings. In
the Bible, when Adam and Eve were sent out by God from the Garden of Eden
after they have eaten the forbidden fruit and hence, were commanded to toil and
ingest the fruit of their labor.
·         Since then, the human race multiplied and naturally became wanderers to
enable them to survive for various reasons.
·         Soon became nomadic. They became constantly itinerant to look for pasture
lands for their livestock and herds.
·         Types of Nomads:
1.      First Type – Foraging Populations who wander in search for their food.
2.      Second Type – is the most numerically and historically significant which
comprises the Pastoral Nomads. They wander with their families along with their
helpers including herds. They developed their mastery of the places and where they
could stay for seasons, having the consistency of maintaining their subsistence
alongside with their herds.
3.      Third Type – It comprises the gypsies, tinkers and similar itinerants in urban
and complex societies.
Various Ancient Modes of Transportation
A.      Manpower – Early men, who had no domesticated animals, carried his own
burdens:
1.      Walking (travelling by foot). Man first used the power of his own feet in
travelling while his load is either carried or dragged. Coincidentally, The English
word “pedestrian” was coined from the Latin words “pedester” which means,
which means to travel by foot.
2.      Carrying Pole- often seen from China and other parts of the Far East. The
carrying pole which is being balanced on one shoulder is a popular carrying
device.  In some places, one carrying pole with two separate persons, each
positioned on its ends.
3.      Backload and Tumpline- In many parts of the world, goods are carried on
the back. In Subtemala, pots are carried on a wooden framework, supported by a
Tumpline across the forehead. In the Andes, the load is held on the back by a strap
passing over the chest.
4.      Sledge on rollers- The moving of heavy burdens was to place them on
sledge which rested on a series of rollers.
5.      Sledge on runners – a simple sledge, probably man-drawn, was in use at the
end of the Old Stone Age in Northern Europe, as evidenced by fragments of
wooden runners that survived.
6.      Travois – as the pole arrangement called, serves as a platform on which the
burden are placed. The platform or cross-beam poles are then dragged by human or
animals.
B.      Animal Power. The domestication of animals greatly increased the potential
power available for transportation. Pack animals were introduced as conveyances
mainly to save labor. A man can tend several pack animals moving together, each
of which (except dogs) can carry more than he usually can. Little advantage in
speed is gained unless part of the animal carrying capacity is sacrificed.
Examples of which are:
1.      Ox – Cattle, which were first domesticated in Mesopotamia, were used as
draft animals to draw war chariots. Oxen are still used as draft animals in many
regions of the world. In some parts of Africa, they are used as pack animals and for
riding.
2.      Reindeer – These were first domesticated in Siberia in the beginning of the
Christian Era. In the Altai Mountains, they were ridden with saddles. Elsewhere,
they draw sledges somewhat like the dogs in the Far North.
3.      Dog – They are the first domesticated animals that are used for transportation
but are not capable of drawing heavy loads. The Plain Indians sometimes packed
light loads on dogs’ back, and piled goods on a travois which the dog dragged. In
the Far North, the dogs team drawing sledges are the chief means of transportation.
And in part of Europe, the dogs are used to draw small carts.
4.      Donkey or Ass- First domesticated in the Middle East. Donkey caravans
carry goods between the cities of Southwest Asia and Egypt. The donkey is still the
chief beast of burden amongst the farmers Near East and the Mediterranean Area
including Mexico and was also introduced in Spain.
5.      Llama - In pre- Columbian America, the Llama was the only new world
animal other than the dog capable of domestication for purposes of transport. In the
high Andes, the Llama was used as a pack animal by the Incas and their
Spanish conquerors, as it is by Modern Andean people.
6.      Elephant – The Carthaginians used African Elephant in their war against
Rome but in recent centuries, these animals have not been tamed. In India,
elephants were formerly used in war and are still employed to some extent for
ceremonial processions and big game hunting. In Burma and Thailand, these huge
animals are widely used in the lumber industry.
7.      Horse – Around 2,000 B.C., horse-drawn chariots speared in Southwest Asia
and 1,000 years later the Persians arrived with cavalry which gave mobility and
power to the German tribes that have invaded Europe and to the Central Asian
conqueror Genghis Khan. In Europe, horses were used to draw wheeled vehicles or
solely for riding until the mechanized vehicles were introduced.
8.      Camel – it is either two-humped Bactrian Camel in Asia or the one-
humped Dromedary of Arabia have long been used for transport. The Bactrian
Camel has plodded along the caravan routes between China and Iran for at least
2,000 years. It can draw cart too. The Dromedary, which has less endurance but
fleeter and the fast-paced riding camel that are bred by the Arab nomads.
9.      Yak – It is a long-haired type of cattle that lives at high altitudes on the
Tibetan Plateau and in the high neighboring Mountain Regions is ridden and used
as a pack animal at heights where horse and ordinary animals could not survive.
C.      Wind Power – Man realized the energy from the mass of moving air and
learned to realize such power to lift rather than to drag. This paved the way to the
invention of air-lifted transportation vessels.
1.      Ancient Chinese Kite - Based on a Korean tradition, the kite was first used
for transport when a Korean General employed one in bridge building. By means
of kite, a cord was conveyed across the river where heavier ropes were fastened
and finally the bridge cable. In the late 10th century, several European Armies
experimented with kites in transporting men.
2.      Da Vinci’s Ornithopter – Da Vinci made a study of flight of the birds and
his notebooks sketched a number of ornithopter (a.k.a. orthopter) which derives its
principal support and propelling from flapping wings like those of a bird.
3.      Montgolfier Balloon – The Montgolfier brothers of France joseph Michel
and Jacques Entienne have successfully released several balloons when they
proposed to use two condemned prisoners for the first ascent with passengers.
4.      Siemens' Rocket Plane - Ernst Werner Von Siemens who later achieved
fame as an     electric industrialist, in 1847 designed rocket plane which was to be
propelled by the explosive force of gunpowder. Similarly, Siemens' rocket plane
was never carried beyond the design stage.
5.      Lilienthal Glider - Otto Lilienthal, a German inventor who also made a
study of the flight of birds and experimented with ornithopters, going so far as to
build a model ornithopter. His chief work was with gliders. However, in 1891, he
made the first of a number of a glider flights which were to exert a profound
influence on the development of aviation.
6.      Santos Dumont's Airship - One of the pioneers of lighter-than-air craft was
Alberto Santos Dumont, a Brazilian who experimented with the steam-powered
balloons in Paris. He made his first balloon ascent in 1897 and in 1898 completed
the construction of his first airship. He, then built several other airships and in
1901, made a 30-minute round trip flight between St. Louis and the Eiffel Tower.
7.      Wright Brothers' Flying Machine -Inspired by Lilienthal's glider
experiments, Orville and Wilbur Wright began studying the problems of heavier-
than-air flight. They 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 powered machine. This flew successfully at Kitty Hawk, North
Carolina on Dec. 17, 1903. By 1909, airplanes became sufficiently accepted to
justify beginning commercial manufacture of the machine.
8.      Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis - Following the initial flight of the Wright
brothers' airplane, the development of aviation was rapid. The first airmail was
delivered in 1911 and World War I gave an impetus to plane design and the
training of pilots. During the 1920's, many new records were set.
WHEELED VEHICLES AND ROAD HISTORY
Concept
·         As man, from ancient times to the 20th century, sought to make their
transport facilities more efficient, they have always endeavored to move people
and property with the least expenditure of time, effort, and money.
·         It was stated in the preceding lesson that man first traveled by foot. Then,
primitive man supplemented their own carrying of goods and possessions by
starting to domesticate animals - training them to bear small loads and pull crude
sleds.
·         The following are some of the inventions and innovations and important
events that lead to modern land transportation:
A. WHEEL - was invented probably in Western Asia - such invention was a
milestone and a great step forward in transportation. However, pieces of evidence
were found by archaeologists that wheel could have been simultaneously invented
in Southwest Asia and Mesopotamia. (about.com)
As wheel was perfected, crude carts and wagons began to appear in TIGRIS-
EUPHRATES VALLEY about 3500 B.C., and later in CRETE, EGYPT and
CHINA. The wheel was one of man's great inventions. It enabled him to transport
burdens beyond the power of man or animals to carry or drag, and permitted much
greater facility of movements than the simple sledge on rollers which had to be
continually picked up and moved by hands as the sledge is advanced.
Ljubljana Marshes Wooden Wheel - This is the oldest wheel ever found in
Europe or anywhere in the world. This was discovered by two Slovene
archaeologists in April 2002 in the Ljubljana Marshes in Slovenia. When carbon-
dated, the remains are estimated to be 5,200 years old.
The following were some of the earliest types of wheeled carts:
1.       Solid wheels on fixed axle - this ancient cart represent an early step in the
evolution of wheeled vehicles. Its solid wheels, which were made of a single piece
of wood, rotated on single axle.
2.       Sumerian chariot with flank wheels - this chariot, of about 2400 B.C., had
solid wheels built up of three pieces, and so was more durable than the one-piece
wheel.
3.       Greek quadrica with spoked wheels - drawn by four horses, was a light
and elegant vehicle for gentleman about 250 B.C. It had spoked wheels and axles
of irons or bronze, handles for aid in mounting, and seat formed by a board placed
across the handles.
4.       Italian cocchio, 1288 - a traveling wagon in which the passengers were
protected by a covering of leather or cloth fixed over a wooden framework.
B. ANCIENT ROME - The following are the ancient wheeled vehicles in Ancient
Rome. (bible-history.com)
1.       Arcera -  it had four wheels, a cover and was generally drawn by two or
more horses. The outside consisted of unhewn boards covered by loose drapery.
This vehicle was especially used to convey the sick and infirm and was of
sufficient size to allow occupants to recline.
2.       Arcima - it was a small conveyance that is large enough for only one person.
3.       Basterna - it was commonly used by women when travelling and was borne
by two mules, one before and one behind each hitched to a separate pair of shafts.
4.       Benna - this four wheeled conveyance is made of wicker work and was of
Gallic origin. It can accommodate several persons when travelling.
5.       Carpentum - used by early Romans in as early as 500 B.C. and as late as
5th century of the Christian era. It was a covered carriage with two wheels, had
seats for two or three and was usually drawn by two mules, horses or even oxen.
6.       Carruca - this vehicle had four wheels, with the front ones smaller than the
two behind. This had a cover and was drawn by two to four horses or mules. It was
often ornamented by carvings in bronze and ivory and by chasings in silver and
gold. Members of the imperial families were fond of travelling using this kind of
coach.
7.       Carrus - a cart with two wheels and boarded sides, it was drawn by oxen or
bullocks and was mainly used by the Roman armies for the transportation of their
baggage and supplies.
8.       Cisium - a light open vehicle of Gallic origin, had two wheels and room for
two persons. It also has a box or case beneath the seat, where small baggage can be
carried in. Two or three horses or mules were used to draw this and because of the
lightness of this carriage this is especially suitable for rapid travels.
9.       Pilentum - used chiefly by women of the upper classes. It was furnished
with cushions, had a covered top, but open sides. This was also used on state
occasions by Roman matrons, priests and vestal virgins. In this, they carried sacred
vessels and rode in processions and public games.
10.   Four-wheeled plaustrum - usually employed for heavy burdens but were
also used for travelling.
11.   Raeda - was common among the Romans during the last century of the
republic. A commodious vehicle of Gallic origin and had four wheels, this was
used by a man when he traveled with his family because this has sufficient room
for several persons together with their luggage.
12.   Sarracum - used by ancient Roman farmers as a traveling vehicle for
themselves and their families.
13.   Tensa - a sacred vehicle elaborately ornamented with ivory and silver; had
either two or four wheels and was drawn by four horses. This carriage was used
during Circensian games, to carry the images of deities.
C. WHEELED VEHICLES AND CARRIAGES could not use the narrow paths
and trails used by pack animals, and early roads were soon built to accommodate
the larger transportation vehicles.
D. THE ROMANS were the major road builders in the ancient world. The
Romans road network reached a total of about 50,000 miles (80,000 kms.), with
FEEDER roads branching out from the main highways. It was costly because its
deep foundation, formed by layer after heavy stones, was necessary to make roads
that would carry heavy traffic for many years.
 
E. JOHN L. MACADAM did not abandon the theory of feeder road building and
perfected the macadamized road in England about 1815.
F. AFTER THE FALL OF THE ROMANS in the 5th Century, land haulage (or
colonizing foreign lands by the European kingdoms and countries) generally
declined because highways suffered from inadequate maintenance. Such
improvements however, as the horse collars (10th Century), the addition of springs
to coaches, new methods of road construction, and the introduction of toll roads
(18th century) all continued to ease and speed land travel.
The invention of larger carriages and vehicles pulled either by human beings or
animals could be considered the basis of modern highway construction.

TOPIC 2 - EVOLUTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

Concept
Motorized transportation is one of the greatest inventions that appeared for the
last three hundred years. The inventions in transportation came along with the
numerous inventions during the period of "Industrial Revolution."
        This lesson traces the historical development of motorized transportation with
the view of understanding the present-day problems in roadway transport system.
A. STEAM ENGINE was perfected in the 1760's by James Watt. The invention
provided power for many industries and factories in England. (Grolier)
B. By the end of 18th century, French, Scottish, and American inventors
attempted to apply the steam engine in water navigation. (Grolier)
1. Frenchman Jacques Perier built an steamboat in 1775
2. Robert Fulton launched the steamboat Clermont on theHudson River in 1807
3. The steamer Savannah crossed the Atlantic in 1819 and by the 19th century,
steam navigation replaced the sailing vessels
C. RAILROADS - Horse-drawn wagons with wooden wheels and rails had been
used in English and European mines during the 17th century. (Grolier)
1. Richard Trevithick and some other inventors adapted the primitive steam
locomotives to the mine railway between 1797 and 1813.
2. George Stephenson built and equipped the 32-km Stockton and Darlington
railway, the first public railway in the world powered by steam locomotive which
eventually began railroad building in England
3. United States, although railroad began in England, it was in the US where
tremendous growth in rail transport system occurred that by 1840 more than 4,800
kms (3,000 mi) railroads were already operating in the eastern states
D. SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OF ROAD VEHICLE began with the
adaptation of COACH SPRING about 1650.
E. IN THE MID-18TH CENTURY, ENGLISH ROADS were so bad that the
coaches could average only about 4 mph (6.4 km/h) and the mail was usually
carried by boys on horses.
F. JOHN PALMER introduced his first fast mail coach in March of 1785 and by
1800, the English coach system was in full swing.
G. THE INVENTION OF BICYCLE in the early 19th century served as a
nursery of automobile builders. One of the modern ancestors of the modern bicycle
was the HOBBY HORSE, or dan horse. The wheels were made of wood, with tires
of iron, and the riders pushed themselves along with their feet on the ground.
1. The German Baron Karl Von Drais in 1817 introduced a steerable wheel,
creating the "draisienne," or "dandy horse."
2. In 1838, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a Scottish blacksmith, made the first machine
with pedals, which were attached to and drove the rear wheel by means of cranks.
H. MOTOR VEHICLE the first mode of transportation to challenge the railroads.
The following are some of the notable events leading to the invention of motorized
vehicles for road traffic. (Grolier)
1. Ferdinand Verbiest, a Jesuit Missionary in China, built the first steam-powered
vehicle around 1672 as a toy for the Chinese Emperor. (Wikipedia)
2. In 1870-71, Nicolas Joseph Cugnot demonstrated his fardier à vapeur ("steam
dray"), an experimental steam-driven artillery tractor.
3. By 1784, William Murdoch had built a working model of a steam carriage in
Redruth.
4. In 1801, Richard Trevithick ran a full-sized vehicle on the road in Camborne.
5. In 1789, Oliver Evans was granted the first automobile patent in the United
States.
6. In 1806, Swiss engineer Francoiz Isaa de Rivaz built and engine powered by
internal combustion of a hydrogen and oxygen mixture.
7. In 1815, Josef Bozek, Professor at Prague Polytechnic, built an oil-fired steam
car 8. In 1826, Englishman Samuel Brown tested his hydrogen-fuelled internal
combustion engine by using it to propel a vehicle up Shooter's Hill in south-east
London. 9. In 1838, Walter Hancock, built and operated steam buses in London
10. In 1838, Christian Friedrich Schontein discovered in principle the hydrogen
fuel cell (diesel), one of the technologies hailed as a replacement for gasoline as an
energy source for cars
11. Around 1844, Charles Goodyear invented the vulcanized rubber for tires.
12. Around 1845-46, the Scottish Robert William Thomson, invented the first
vulcanized rubber tire. His invention worked well but was costly to produce.
13. In 1858, Jean Joseph Étienne Lenoir also known as Jean J. Lenoir, a Belgian
engineer developed the internal combustion engine. It was Lenoir's invention
which is considered to be the first commercially successful of its kind.
14. In 1859, Gaston Plante invented the lead-acid battery and Anyos Jedlik
invented the electric motor in 1828 - both inventions were contributory to the
invention of electric-powered cars
15. In 1860, Lenoir's Hippomobile with a hydrogen-gas- fuelled one-cylindered
internal combustion engine made a test drive from Paris to Joinville-le-Pont,
covering some nine kilometres in about three hours.
16. In 1867, Canadian Henry Seth Taylor demonstrated his 4-wheeled "steam
buggy" at the Stanstead Fair in Stanstead, Quebec. The basis of the buggy, which
he began building in 1865, was a high-wheeled carriage with bracing to support a
two-cylinder steam engine mounted on the floor..
17. In 1870, the Austrian inventor Siegfried Marcus put a liquid-fuelled internal
combustion engine on a simple handcart which made him the first man to propel a
vehicle by means of gasoline - known as "the first Marcus car".
18. In 1871, Dr. J.W. Carhatrt, invented the first steam powered carriage-sized
automobile suitable for use on existing wagon roads in the United States.
19. In 1873, French Amedee Bollee produced the first "real" automobile self-
propelled steam road vehicles to transport groups of passengers.
20. On May 8, 1879, American George B. Selden filed for a patent which included
not only the engine but its use in a 4-wheeled car. He was finally granted on
November 5, 1895.
21. In 1882, Italy's Enrico Bernardi patented a 0.024 horsepower 122 cc one-
cylinder petrol motor, fitting it into his son's tricycle, making it at least a candidate
for the first automobile, and first motorcycle; in 1892, he enlarged the tricycle to
carry two adults
22. In 1883, Marcus secured a German patent for a low- voltage ignition system of
the magneto type; this was his only automotive patent.
23. In 1884, a Edouard Delamare-Deboutteville vehicle was patented and
trialled.
24. In 1885, Karl Benz built his first automobile in Mannheim and he was granted
a patent for his automobile on 29 January 1886, He began the first production of
automobiles in 1888, after Bertha Benz, his wife, had proved - with the first long-
distance trip in August 1888, from Mannheim to Pforzheim and back.
25. In 1885, Daimler built the first high speed internal combustion engine.
26. In 1887 (late 19th century), John Boyd developed the first practical pneumatic
tire (inflated with air) for bicycle and was granted patent in 1888.
27. In 1888, marked the first production of automobiles in Germany by Karl Benz,
and in France by Emile Roger.
28. In 1889, Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach designed a vehicle from
scratch to be an automobile, rather than a horse-drawn carriage fitted with an
engine. They are also credited for the first motorcycle in 1866.
29. In 1889, Panhard et Lavassor of France was the first company formed
exclusively to build automobiles, which also introduced the first four-cylinder
engine. 30. In 1890's, the first horseless-carriage appeared in the U.S.
31. In 1893, brothers Charles and Frank Duryea founded the Duryea Motor
Wagon Company, becoming the first American automobile manufacturing
company.
32. In 1893, German inventor Rudolf Diesel developed the diesel engine also
known as a compression-ignition engine is an internal combustion engine that uses
the heat compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel.
33. In 1895, Andrea Michelin was the first person to use pneumatic tires on
automobile tires but not successfully.
34. In 1897, Czech company Nesselsdorfer Wagenbau later named Tatra,
produced the first motor car in central Europe and one of the first factory-made
cars in world, the Prasident automobil.
35. In 1908, Henry Ford introduced the MODEL T, which was proved so popular
that by 1914, Ford had adopted mass production methods to meet the demand.
36. In 1911, Philip Strauss invented the first successful automobile tire with with
an air-filled inner tube (interior).
37. 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.
To date, man continuously manufacture large cargo trucks and buses for mass
transportation. Presently, the introduction of the Light Trail Transit (LRT), the
Metro Rail Transit (MRT), flyovers, pedestrian and vehicle culverts, rock sheds
and other modern traffic ways contributed to the expeditious movement of traffic
users.
TOPIC 3 - FUNDAMENTALS OF TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Concept
Traffic Management is best understood by understanding the following commonly
used words and terminologies.
ARTERIAL HIGHWAYS/ROADS. These are high-capacity urban roads that
direct traffic from collector roads to expressways or freeways. It also refers to a
highway that is used primarily by through traffic.
COLLECTOR HIGHWAY. It is also known as collector road or distributor road
which connects low-to-moderate highways or roads to arterial highways such as
those entering residential properties. It also refers to a highway that serves
primarily to funnel traffic from one local highway to another or between arterials
and local highways.
HIGHWAY. It means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way
dedicated to a public authority when any part of the way is open to the use of the
public for purposes of vehicular traffic, whether or not the public authority is
maintaining the way. Or, highway refers to any roads, streets, boulevards, or
avenues used as public thoroughfare.
MANAGEMENT. It refers to the skilful use of means to accomplish a purpose.
OPERATION. Pertains to a course or series of acts to effect a certain purpose;
manner of action; or a vital or natural process of activity.
ROADWAY. Refers to that part of the traffic way over which motor vehicles pass.
For purposes of construction, repair, and/or maintenance, roads are classified as:
1. National Roads These are interconnecting provinces and/or cities. roads/streets
2. Provincial Roads These are roads/streets interconnecting municipalities and/or
cities within a province.
3. City Roads - These are roads/streets interconnecting barangays with a city.
4. Municipal Roads - These are roads/streets interconnecting barangays within a
municipality.
5. Barangay Roads - These are roads/streets located within a barangay which
connect sitios or places within a barangay.
SHOULDER. It refers to either side of the roadway, especially along highways.
SIDEWALK. It refers to the paved walkway along the side of a street. It also
means the area determined as follows:
(1) On the side of a highway which has a shoulder, a sidewalk is that portion of the
highway between the outside lateral line of the shoulder and the adjacent property
line capable of being used by a pedestrian.
(2) On the side of a highway which has no shoulder, a sidewalk is that portion of
the highway between the lateral line of the roadway and the adjacent property line
capable of being used by a pedestrian.
THROUGH HIGHWAY. It means every highway or portion thereof on which
vehicular traffic is given the right-of-way, and at the entrances to which vehicular
traffic from intersecting highways is required by law to yield right-of-way to
vehicles on such through highway in obedience to either an authorized stop sign or
a yield sign, or other official traffic-control device.
THRUWAY OR THROUGHWAY. It is a highway that has limited entrances and
exits such as the expressways, freeways, or motorways. It is known as autobahn in
German-speaking countries and autostrada in Italian-speaking countries.
TRAFFIC. It refers to the movement of persons, goods, or vehicles, either
powered by combustion system or animal drawn, from one place to another for the
purpose of travel.
TRAFFIC WAY. 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.
The Intersection
In most American State laws, intersection is defined as the area embraced within
the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral
boundary lines of the roadways of two highways which join one another at, or
approximately at, right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon
different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict.
(leg.state.nv.us) It is synonymous to crossroads, junctions, or crossings.
In a simpler language, intersection refers to the area of a roadway created when
two or more roadways join together at any angle, as described in one of the
following:
(1)    If the roadways have curbs, the intersection is the area embraced within the
prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines.
(2) If the roadways do not have curbs, the intersection is the area embraced within
the prolongation or connection of the lateral boundary lines of the roadways.
Classifications of Intersections According to Number of Intersecting roads:
1. 3-way Intersection - It is commonly known as the T or Y crossroad which links
three roads.
2. 4-way Intersection - It is the most common type which involved the crossings of
two roadways. It is either a regular intersection when the two roads cross
perpendicularly and it is called skewed intersection when the two roads cross at
different angles.
3. 5-way Intersection - It involves the crossing of five roads. This type is the least
common.
4. 6-way Intersection It involves the crossing of three streets most often two
perpendicular roads and one diagonal road. This type is very rare.
5. Staggered Intersection It involves two successive crossroads.
Classifications of Intersections According to Traffic Control:
1. Controlled Intersection control devices - It is controlled by any traffic
a. Yield-controlled Intersection - It is usually controlled by a Yield sign or Give
Way sign.
b. Stop-controlled Intersection - A Stop sign is usually installed. Most common are
the two-way stops an most countries use the four-way stops or the first-to- stop
first-to-go rule.
c. Traffic Circle - Traffic flow here is directed by a circle, rotary island, or a
runabout sign.
2. Uncontrolled Intersection - This intersection has no traffic signals or traffic
signs. Crossing is by observing the right- of-way rule.
3. Box Junction - This type generally prohibits entry unless the exit is clear.
4. Cloverleaf- A highway interchange at which two highways, one crossing over
the other, have a series of entrance and exit ramps resembling the outline of a four-
leaf clover and enabling vehicles to proceed in either direction on either highway.
What is Traffic Management?
Traffic management is the application of the processes and skills in planning,
organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, and budgeting to traffic affairs.
(Bragado, 1998) Traffic Management also refers to the activities undertaken by a
highway transportation agency to improve roadway system safety, efficiency, and
effectiveness for both providers and consumers of transportation services. (Sigua,
2008)
Considering these two definitions, it can be concluded that traffic management is
for the attainment of traffic efficiency.
Types of traffic management. The two distinct types traffic management are the
used or utilization of: of
1) traditional traffic engineering tools or devices, to regulate or control traffic, such
as traffic lights, traffic signs, or pavement markings, traffic islands, and other
devices that could control of direct the flow of traffic (these will be discussed in
latter chapters/modules); and
2) advanced technology like the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). Examples
of the ITS are the installation of road sensors for emergency cars, global
positioning devices on motor vehicles, and road sensors attached to traffic signal
lights.
Why Traffic Management is necessary?
In every traffic management, three elements are necessary to be considered. These
are the road (trafficway) system, road users, and the enforcement (and/or control)
procedures. Failure to coordinate these elements in a particular highway and/or
intersection may cause traffic-related problems.
With the advent of science and technology, new and modernized traffic facilities
are introduced. However, despite of these modernizations, traffic congestions
persist to exist. The only way to at least cope up with the prevailing traffic related
problems is a coordinated traffic management. Traffic management is therefore
designed to make the trafficway safer for travelers, expedite the movement of
traffic, and to provide convenience to the traffic facilities' users. In short, traffic
management aims to attain efficiency in the utilization of the trafficway.
A. Major Causes of Traffic Congestion - Based on studies conducted by
authorities.
1. Physical Inadequacy. This is characterized by lack of roads, narrow bridges,
railroad crossings, lack of traffic facilities, etc.
2. Poor Control Measures. This is characterized by ineffective mechanical
control devices, inefficient traffic officers, and poor implementation of traffic laws,
rules and regulations.
3. Human Errors. Many traffic congestion are caused by slow drivers or poor
driving habits, pedestrian mistakes, officers' errors, poor planning, poor legislation;
and traffic accidents which are mostly attributed to human errors.
4. Poor Maintenance. Oftentimes motor vehicles are stalled in traffic ways
because of unrepaired diggings, cracks on road pavement or unfinished road
pavement concreting.
B. Specific Traffic Problems - Traffic managers and traffic control officers
commonly encounter the following traffic-related problems:
1. Traffic Build-up - It is characterized by the gradual increasing of traffic users in
a given portion of the highway or trafficway.
2. Traffic Congestions networks that occurs 1 These are conditions on road as use
increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased
vehicular queueing.
3. Traffic Jams (snarl-up) - These are situations in highways in which the
movement of traffic users (motor vehicles or pedestrians) is very slow or
stationary.
4. Bottlenecks These are narrow points or areas in - highways where traffic
congestions or traffic jams usually occur or traffic may be held up.
5. Gridlocks - A state or condition of severe road congestion arising when
continuous queues of vehicles block an entire network of intersecting streets,
bringing traffic in all directions to a complete standstill. These traffic blockages are
usually caused interlocking of intersection grids.
6. Accidents - These are events or incidents which may cause unintentional
damage to property, loss of limbs, and/or death.
7. Collisions- These are incidents or instances of one moving traffic unit or person
striking violently against another.
C. Scopes of Traffic Management. In connection with the above stated causes of
congestion, authorities conceived that a systematic and effective traffic
management is needed which includes but not limited to the following.
1. All public surface facilities traversing and parking and all types of conveyances
for the movement of persons and things. This includes the provisions on the
controlling traffic flow as well as provisions for the allotments of parking lots or
parking places.
2. All agencies having responsibilities for ascertaining traffic flow requirements,
planning, approving, funding, construction and/or maintaining these public
facilities for such movements. This area includes traffic planning committees,
those involved in traffic engineering, and the legislative bodies in the
appropriations of funds.
3. All agencies responsible for licensing, approving, restricting, stopping,
prohibiting or controlling the use of these facilities. The agencies involved in this
area are the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and other traffic enforcement
agencies.
D. Agencies Involved in Traffic Management. For a successful and effective
traffic management, specific roles and responsibilities are vested on the following.
1. Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC). The DOTC
through the Land Transportation Office (LTO) is responsible for the
implementation of the Land Transportation Code of the Philippines (R.A. 4136)
particularly on the issuance of drivers' licenses, registration of motor vehicles,
approval of franchises for public conveyances (through the Land Transportation
Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)), and conducting traffic safety
seminars.
2. City or Municipal Engineers' Office. In the local level, these offices are
responsible for the planning, construction and maintenance of traffic facilities
within their respective locality.
3. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). This is the main
executive department which is responsible for the planning, construction and
maintenance of traffic facilities particularly those categorized as national highways
and other major road arteries.
4. Legislative (Congress/City or Municipal Boards). The legislative bodies are
not only responsible for the passing or amendment of laws concerning traffic but
also they are involved in the planning and approval of government projects.
5. Philippine National Police (PNP). The PNP through its Highway Patrol Group
(PNP-HPG) (formerly the Traffic Management Group (PNP-TMG)) is responsible
primarily for the direct enforcement of traffic laws, rules and regulations. They
also perform other functions such as conducting of information dissemination
campaign, submitting traffic scheme proposals, and other functions as the need
arises.
6. Traffic Management Bureaus (TMBs). These are offices created mostly under
the offices of city/municipal mayors with the primary task of assisting the local
PNP traffic divisions/units in the enforcement of traffic ordinances/laws.
7. Academic Institutions. Schools, both public and private, are responsible for the
basic traffic education by integrating in their respective programs and curriculum
subjects or topics on traffic safety.
8. Courts. The courts are responsible for the adjudication of traffic-related cases
filed before them.
9. Public Information Offices. The government through the Philippine
Information Agency (PIA) provides the necessary updated information to the
public by creating traffic safety campaigns and other activities relating to traffic.
10. Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) Members. In particular, the
barangay tanods or barangay security forces are the usual traffic control officers in
their respective localities particularly during times of emergencies.
11. Citizen Support Groups. The private institutions or organizations also help in
the prevention of traffic congestion by assisting government offices in various
activities particularly during special occasions and holidays where traffic problem
is likely to happen.
12. Tri-Media (including the internet). Government and privately-owned
publications, and radio and television broadcasting companies provide necessary
and updated traffic-related information to the public through their respective
programs.