ASSESSMENT OF TRAFFIC SITUATION IN NAGA CITY, CAMARINES SUR 1

ASSESSMENT OF TRAFFIC SITUATION IN NAGA CITY, CAMARINES SUR

RIZZA MAE M. PARDIÑAS

UNIVERSITY OF NUEVA CACERES

ASSESSING THE TRAFFIC SITUATION IN NAGA CITY, CAMARINES SUR 2

Abstract

One of the big challenges facing cities is traffic congestion. It makes life in cities

uncomfortable for people. Every year governments spend huge budgets to solve this problem.

Naga City, in Camarines Sur, Bicol is suffering from this problem especially at rush traffic hours.

In this paper, the traffic congestion problem is studied for the major thoroughfares all over the city.

This paper aims to determine the real causes of traffic jams in Naga City and to propose solutions

for resolving the problem. The increasing number of private cars is a huge factor in the traffic

situation of the city. To counter this, public transportation and proper urban planning must be given

utmost importance. Biking and walking are good alternative modes of transportation. Not only are

they environment-friendly but they also serve as good forms of exercise.

Keywords: traffic congestion, peak hours, public transport

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Introduction

Traffic congestion has been increasing in much of the world, developed or not, and

everything indicates that it will continue to get worse, representing an undoubted menace to the

quality of urban life. Its main expression is a progressive reduction in traffic speeds, resulting in

increases in journey times, fuel consumption, other operating costs and environmental pollution,

as compared with an uninterrupted traffic flow. (Bull, 2003)

Traffic congestion results when there are too many vehicles for the available road space. It

may occur on almost any road system but, in general, it is likely to be experienced with great

severity in and around the major employment nodes such as the central business district during the

morning and afternoon peak. However, recently, it seems to occur more frequently even before

and after peak hours. (Robinson, 1984)

It is mainly caused by a desire for people to drive their cars coupled with a failure by local

government to act. If they invested in more affordable public transport options and a better

infrastructure, the incidence of congestion would decrease in major cities. Most importantly,

finding a solution to traffic congestion could mean a vast improvement in the quality of life in your

area. (“Cause & Effect Essay: Traffic Problems”, 2015)

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Philippines, particularly Manila, has the worst traffic on Earth based on the 2015 Global

Satisfaction conducted by Waze, a GPS based navigation app. (“Metro Manila has 'worst traffic”,

2015) This problem is alarming because it poses lots of negative effects in social, economic, and

environmental aspects. First is, it reflects badly in our country. Tourism will suffer greatly due to

this bad reputation. Secondly, the Philippines is now losing ₱3.5 billion a day due to traffic

congestion in Metro Manila according to a 2018 study of the Japan International Cooperation

Agency (JICA). (“PH loses ₱3.5B a day”, 2018) Lastly, traffic congestion also has massive effects

on the environment, specifically its contribution to air pollution. The Guardian said that “despite

all the promises of green growth and reduced emissions, traditional car sales are accelerating, while

efforts to shift towards ‘greener’ hybrid and electric vehicles are stuck in neutral, particularly in

the place where it matters most.” (“Traffic in Metro Manila”, 2019)

Traffic jams are prevalent not just in the country’s capital but even in small cities like Naga

City. Naga City is a 2nd class independent component city in the Bicol Region. Naga is the Bicol

Region's trade, business, religious, cultural, industrial, commercial, medical, educational, and

financial center. (“Naga, Camarines Sur”, 2019)

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Naga City has various modes of transportation. It has tricycles, buses, e-trikes, taxicles,

padyaks, etc. The most common of which are the Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) and privately

owned cars.

In 2015, the population density in Naga City increased from 2,260 to 2,532 persons per

square kilometer. This high population thus calls for an appropriate transportation system to allow

for mobility within the city. (Popcen Special Release, 2017) An urgent solution must be formulated

and implemented in order to avoid having the same fate as Manila which was dubbed as the worst

place to be a driver.

Urban planning and development is essential to solve this problem. The government’s

band-aid traffic solutions, such as the number coding scheme and the driver-only vehicle ban,

aren’t of much help. To fully solve the problem, it requires careful planning and rigorous effort of

the whole community.

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Objectives of the Study

 To mitigate the traffic congestion in Naga City.

 To lessen car dependence and increase the walkability of the city.

 To provide a better and more livable city and introduce a new healthier lifestyle to the

Nagueños.

 To decentralize the city’s urban core and achieve a proper distribution of land uses.

 To lessen air pollution produced by cars in the Metro.

 To serve as a model for other neighboring towns and cities in terms of urban planning,

particularly in transportation.

Statement of the Problem

 Heavy traffic is experienced throughout major thoroughfares in Naga City due to the

increasing number of private cars. This problem seems to be prevalent even after

installation of traffic lights.

 There is a lack of proper parking spaces especially in the CBDs. Also, undisciplined drivers

illegally park their cars on the sides of the road.

 People prefer riding instead of walking because of unsafe and unattractive sidewalks.

So, more Nagueños are becoming more sedentary. This lack of exercise can cause many

health problems like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

 Air pollution is worsening due to the smoke emitted by private and public vehicles.

 Business is concentrated in the core so the vehicles are all traveling towards it. This

produces an imbalance in traffic. Furthermore, people are forced to travel long distances

from their homes to the core to go to work.

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References

Bull, A. (2003). Traffic congestion the problem and how to deal with it. p.13

Robinson, R. (1984). Problems in the urban environment: traffic congestion and its effects. p.3

Cause & Effect Essay: Traffic Problems of a Big City. (2015, April 22). Retrieved from

https://www.scholaradvisor.com/essay-examples/effect-essay-traffic-problems-of-big-city/

Metro Manila has 'worst traffic on Earth' – Waze. (2015, October 01). Retrieved from

https://www.rappler.com/corruption/107719-manila-worst-traffic-waze

PH loses ₱3.5B a day due to Metro Manila traffic – JICA. (2018, February 24). Retrieved

from http://nine.cnnphilippines.com/transportation/2018/02/23/JICA-P3.5-billion-

traffic.html

Traffic in Metro Manila. (2019, February 20) Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_in_Metro_Manila

Naga, Camarines Sur. (2019, March 06). Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naga,_Camarines_Sur

Popcen Special Release, Naga City. (2017, March). Retrieved from

http://files.psacamsur.com/200024765-

5064c515f0/Popcen%202015%20Special%20Release_Naga%20City.pdf