Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

In modern society, quick mobility is one of the most basic needs. Therefore, people are

able to use different transportation facilities such as automotive vehicles, subways, and bicycles.

However, among all these transportation facilities, automotive vehicles are still the most adopted

due to its comfort and practicality. In this way, assuming a continuous population growth, the

number of vehicles in large cities will increase as well, but much faster than transportation

infrastructure; consequently, traffic congestion will become a pressing issue. It creates several

negative concerns for the environment and society such as increasing in number of traffic

accidents, economic impacts, and high levels of greenhouse emissions (Djahel, Doolan and

Muntean, 2015).

In this way, focusing on preventing traffic congestion and improving the overall traffic

efficiency, large cities and other urban areas rely on traffic management systems (TMSs), which

aim to reduce traffic congestion and its related problems (De Souza, Yokoyama, Boukerche, and

Icarus, 2016). In connection with this, traffic management is the organization, arrangement,

guidance and control of both stationary and moving traffic, including pedestrians, bicyclists and

all types of vehicles. Its aim is to provide for the safe, orderly and efficient movement of persons

and goods, and to protect and, where possible, enhance the quality of the local environment on

and adjacent to traffic facilities (International Transport Forum, 2020). Traffic management had

pillars that help for the solution of traffic problems that road users encountered day by day which

comprised traffic enforcement, traffic education, traffic engineering, traffic ecology/environment

and traffic economy (Lacsamana, 2017). It is a term used to embody the activities undertaken by
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A highway transportation agency to improve roadway system safety, efficiency, and

effectiveness for both providers and consumers of transportation services (Sigua, 2008). It also

refers to all agencies having responsibilities for ascertaining traffic flow requirements, such as

planning, funding, construction and/or maintaining public facilities for such movement. Further,

it also refers to all agencies responsible for licensing, approving, restricting, stopping, prohibiting

or controlling the use of these facilities (De Castro et. al, 2011).

In the Philippines, most of the barangay roads are unpaved village-access roads built in

the past by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), but responsibility for

maintaining these roads have now been devolved to the Local Government Units (LGUs).

However, despite having a large road network built over the country, large parts of the road

network continue to be in poor condition and only 20 percent of the total road network is paved.

Traffic jams and other traffic-related problems are also cause by accidents and ongoing road

constructions. Beside these, undisciplined drivers, passengers and pedestrians, poor traffic

control system and poor implementation of traffic laws are the most obvious causes of traffic

congestion according to Delizo (2014). There are several government agencies which deal with

traffic management. These agencies include the, Department of Transportation and

Communications (DOTC), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine

National Police-Traffic Management Group, Land Transportation Office and Public Order and

Safety Office. On the back of the government’s Build, Build, Build (BBB) initiative, various

infrastructure projects have been implemented across the country to ease the flow of goods and

people, as well as make the country an attractive place to live and work. Dubbed

“Dutertenomics”, President Rodrigo Duterte’s prioritization of infrastructure is intended to usher

in a golden age of development for the Philippines. Indeed, infrastructure was a cornerstone of
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the election campaign that brought him into office in 2016. The administration is holding true to

its promise, and in a bid to foster economic growth and alleviate congestion, the state is making

major strides towards an efficient transport ecosystem (Oxford Business Group, 2020).

Government data showed that since 2010, the number of road crash deaths in the

Philippines has never dipped below 8,000. Most of the fatalities are Filipino youth, with children

also vulnerable – more than 500 children die each year as a result of road crashes. To address

these problems, the Philippines launched a road safety action plan in 2011 in a bid to achieve the

goal of reducing the number of road crash deaths by 50% in 2020 (Francisco, 2017).

In Nueva Vizcaya, Ebreo (2018) cited the statement of Police Senior Supt. Jeremias

Aglugub that from April 1 to July 15 2018 showed an increase of 81 vehicular incidents or 7.85

percent compared to the same period last year in Nueva Vizcaya. According to the provincial

PNP director, “Reckless imprudence cases resulting to physical injuries and damage to properties

account for more than 50 percent of our total vehicular incident volume. Hence, the Road and

Safety Summit is needed to reduce if not prevent these cases from happening in the future”.

The population of Bambang is increasing day by day and people are facing traffic

problems in this municipality. Unfortunately, road users have a little road sense and perhaps, no

respect for the traffic rules. This fact has also added to road mishaps. One that also brings traffic

is the companies like Savemore, Landbank, Jollibee, Shell Gasoline Station Company and

establishment such as churches, schools, businesses and markets especially during peak hours.

And even the capacity of the road network is not adequate enough to accommodate the traffic.

The traffic in the area had not been adequately managed. For instance, commuters and

passengers are commonly stocked at the area of Homestead, San Antonio, Calaocan, and

Banggot by a heavy congestion of vehicles either morning or late afternoon. Drivers, commuters
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and private vehicle owners waste their time and money when confronted by immobility due to

heavy vehicle congestion which may be attributed to narrow lanes that are inadequate for large

volume of vehicles over a certain period of time, undisciplined drivers and vehicular accidents

and technical problems experienced. Bambang is one of the highly traversed areas along Nueva

Vizcaya road since it connects major artery to Cagayan Valley. Being located between two

progressing localities also experience problems related to the management of traffic. Many

commuters complain about suggest movement of their vehicle, especially students coming from

Solano, Bayombong, Dupax del Sur, Dupax del Norte and Aritao area. The area as described by

road users, have narrow road that becomes largely insufficient specifically during high volume or

peak hours. Looking closely to traffic law enforcement function, PUJ- drivers who disregard

rules on overtaking, loading and unloading of passengers and speed limit seldom receive citation

or warning from traffic enforcers or deputized authorities. This situation is augmented by

absence or lack traffic signs, poorly painted pavements and road conditions that results to

accidents. In addition, large volume of vehicles, narrow road, lack of traffic enforcers and

undisciplined drivers and pedestrians can be highly observed thus, the students are late to their

class for multiple times because the traffic was not being managed well. Others have had to

adjust their schedules and leave their homes earlier in order to get to class on time. Hence, the

researchers are prompted to conduct this study. This paper focuses on traffic management in

Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya; the current traffic conditions and the effectiveness of agencies

involved in traffic management. Conducting this study will be beneficial for a traffic officers in

dealing with traffic flow, enforcement of traffic laws, ordinances, rules and regulations without

fear or favor in order to reduce if not eliminate traffic problems and prevent other contributory

factors that lead to vehicular and traffic accidents. The salient findings of this study will serve as
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a guide and a good background in crafting an action plan for the improvement of traffic

management once already in the service.

Statement of the Problem

The study will evaluate the traffic management in the municipality of Bambang, Neva

Vizcaya. Specifically, it will answer the following questions;

1. What is the profile of respondents in terms of participant, age, gender, civil status,

educational attainment and type of vehicle driven?

2. What is the level of effectiveness of traffic management function of Bambang, Nueva

Vizcaya in terms of traffic enforcement; traffic engineering; traffic education; traffic

environment/ecology; and traffic economy?

3. Is there a significant difference on the effectiveness of traffic management functions of

Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya when grouped according to profile variables?

4. What is the overall impression of the respondents in the implementation of traffic

management in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya?

5. What are the challenges/problems encountered by the respondents in traffic management?

and

6. Based on the findings of the study, what intervention can be proposed to improve traffic

management functions of Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya?

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Objectives of the Study

The study aims to evaluate the traffic management in the municipality of Bambang, Neva

Vizcaya. Specifically, it aims to;

1. Determine the profile of respondents in terms of participant, age, gender, civil status,

educational attainment and type of vehicle driven;

2. Determine the level of effectiveness of traffic management function of Bambang, Nueva

Vizcaya in terms of traffic enforcement, traffic engineering, traffic education, traffic

environment/ecology and traffic economy;

3. Determine if there is significant difference on the effectiveness of traffic management

functions of Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya when grouped according to profile variables;

4. Determine the impression of the respondents in the implementation of traffic

management in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya.

5. Determine the challenges/problems encountered by the respondents in traffic

management; and

6. Propose an intervention to improve traffic management functions of Bambang, Nueva

Vizcaya.

Significance of the Study

The findings of the study will be deemed significant to the following:

Local Government Unit of Bambang – This will serve as guidelines to improve the

traffic system in the municipality.

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Community - The community is one of the beneficiaries of this research for they are the

commuters, users of roads, which is the primary focus of this study. Hence, it helps them in a

way to be fully aware of the laws of roads.

Students - Through this study, students shall be provided with information on the

concepts of Traffic Management System that they can use in the delivery and execution of public

service in their future career.

Future Researchers - The study may serve as a reference for the future researchers who

will embark on the same line of study. The study could be done in another setting, preferably in

the whole province of Nueva Vizcaya.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study focuses on the traffic management in the municipality of Bambang, Neva

Vizcaya. Specifically, on determining the profile of respondents in terms of participant, age,

gender, civil status, educational attainment and type of vehicle driven; determining the level of

effectiveness of traffic management function of Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya in terms of traffic

enforcement, traffic engineering, traffic education, traffic environment/ecology and traffic

economy. This study is also limited to determining significant difference on the effectiveness of

traffic management functions of Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya when grouped according to profile

variables. This study will propose an action plan to improve traffic management functions of

Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya. This will be based on the salient finding of the study.
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Conceptual Framework

Traffic problems are very common in the Central Business District of Nueva Vizcaya as a

result of the growth concentration of population, rapid urbanization and economic activities.

Transport is applied to move people, goods or service in order to enable two places to interact in

which there must be specific demand and supply. The attended cost and dependability of

transport service and infrastructures have enabled an increasing number of people to seek

economic, social and education opportunities that urban areas ideally provided. But contrarily,

central Business District areas have grown to the point where threaten to strangle the

transportation that made them possible. In view of the above, this research work will examine the

traffic management system for Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya.

Traffic management is a key branch within logistics. It concerns the planning, control and

purchasing of transport services needed to physically move vehicles (for example aircraft, road

vehicles, rolling stock and watercraft) and freight. Traffic management is implemented by people

working with different job titles in different branches: Within freight and cargo logistics: traffic

manager, assessment of hazardous and awkward materials, carrier choice and fees, demurrage,

documentation, expediting, freight consolidation, insurance, reconsignment and tracking. Within

air traffic management: air traffic controller, within rail traffic management: rail traffic

controller, train dispatcher or signalman, within road traffic management: traffic controller

(Khusela, 2020). Traffic Control Management is the design, auditing and implementation of

traffic control plans at worksites and civil infrastructure projects. Traffic Management can

include: flagging, lane closures, detours, full freeway closures, pedestrian access, traffic plans,

traffic management vehicles and sidewalk closures (Chijioke and Ugwuanyi, 2014).
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Traffic management functions directly or indirectly affect the lives of people. The

management’s failure to perform effectively may affect them in terms of security, financial status

and personal endeavors (Hintural et al., 2016). Conducting this study beneficial for a traffic

officers in dealing with traffic flow, enforcement of traffic laws, ordinances, rules and

regulations without fear or favor in order to reduce if not eliminate traffic problems and prevent

other contributory factors that lead to vehicular and traffic accidents. This study will attempt to

awaken every individual on the causes and effects of traffic problems. Hence, the authors believe

that this paper upon completion should also be read by any individual not only by Public

Administration students.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

1. Survey 1. Traffic management

1. Profile Variables
2. Five E’sFEE of Traffic 2. Face to face interview status of Bambang,
Management 3. Document scanning Nueva Vizcaya.
4. Personal observation
a. Traffic enforcement 2. Intervention to improve
b. Traffic engineering traffic management
c. Traffic education, functions of Bambang,
d. Traffic environment Nueva Vizcaya.
and ecology
e. Traffic economy

3. Overall impression of
Traffic management
4. Challenges encountered
by the stakeholders in
traffic management in
Bambang, N.V
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Given the foregoing theoretical and conceptual foundations, the conceptual framework

described the various processes that this study followed as depicted in the research paradigm on

Figure 1.

For Phase 1 of this study will be concerned with determining determine the profile of

respondents in terms of participant, age, gender, civil status, educational attainment and type of

vehicle driven; and level of effectiveness of traffic management function of Bambang, Nueva

Vizcaya in terms of traffic enforcement, traffic engineering, traffic education, traffic

environment/ecology and traffic economy.

For Phase 2 will involve a gathering of information on the comparison between the levels

of effectiveness of traffic management functions of Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya when grouped

according to profile variables.

For Phase 3 will involve in determining the overall impression of traffic management in

the municipality of Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya.

For Phase 4 identified the challenges encountered by end users vis-à-vis the various

domains of the standard operating procedures of the traffic management process.

For Phase 5 will be considering the salient findings of the study in order to suggest

relevant intervention to improve traffic management functions of Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya.

Definition of Terms

For better understanding of this study, the following terms were defined both

operationally and conceptually:

Traffic economy refers to the relationship of the levels of congestion of traffic and the

economic growth of the city. When congestion starts, it drags the economic growth. However,
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too much congestion seems to slow job growth (Bloomberg, 2020). In this study, it refers to the

impact of traffic congestion in the municipality of Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya and it will be

assessed/measured with the 10 items of traffic economy.

Traffic education refers to any kind of formal or informal education that is aimed at

learning and improving the knowledge, insight, skills and attitudes that are necessary for safe

traffic participation, including the wish to safely participate in traffic (SWOV Institute for Road

Safety Research, 2020). In this study, it refers to the information and dissemination about traffic

rules and regulations, penalties and violations and safety measures in roads for the awareness of

the public and it will be assessed/measured with the 10 items of traffic education.

Traffic Enforcement refers to promoting public safety by stopping a violation, reducing

crashes, and enhancing public enjoyment. At the same time, it deters other drivers from

committing an infraction and historically changes behavior of the ticketed driver and onlookers

(Longwood, 2020). In this study it refers to the application of laws, rules, ordinances and

regulations in the road networks of Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya by the Philippine National Police

Traffic Management Group, Department of Public Works and Highways, Public Order and

Safety Office and LGU-Bambang and it will be assessed/measured with the 10 items of traffic

enforcement.

Traffic environment/ecology refers to the congestion causing poor traffic performance

has negative impacts on economic productivity, environmental quality and safety through higher

fuel consumption, increased costs of goods and service, increased air pollution, and worsened

safety conditions (Sutandi, 2009). In the study, it refers to the major road arteries in Bambang,

Nueva Vizcaya causing congestion of vehicles causing heavy traffic and it will be

assessed/measured with the 9 items of traffic environment/ecology.

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Traffic Engineering refers to the branch of civil engineering that uses engineering

techniques to achieve the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. It focuses mainly on

research and construction of the immobile infrastructure necessary for this movement, such as

roads, railway tracks, bridges, traffic signs and traffic lights (ScienceDaily, 2020). In this study,

it refers to the design, and plan of road system for the implementation of traffic control in

Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya it will be assessed/measured with the 10 items of traffic engineering.

5 E’s Traffic Management refers to the direction, control, and supervision of all

functions incident to the procurement and use of freight and passenger transportation services.

Traffic management measures include for example lane closure or opening (e.g. HOV lanes,

peak lanes), intersection control, ramp metering, dynamic speed limits, etc. In relation to security

issues, you can think of re-routing, route closure, traffic information provision, reverse laning,

etc. Traffic management is normally performed by traffic management centers (Traffic

Management-Netherlands, 2020). In this study, it refers to the managing of transportation

services in the municipality of Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya especially on traffic enforcement,

traffic engineering, traffic education, and traffic environment/ecology and traffic economy.