CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Most of the problems faced by today’s traffic networks are caused by the ever-

increasing usage of the traffic system. Traffic congestion is considered to be one of the

prominent issues that need attention. Traffic control and management experts and policy

makers have come up with many possible solutions to solve the traffic congestion problem.

Some of these solutions focused either on increasing the number of roads or lanes to cope

with the demand or on limiting the traffic demand by levying tolls and raising taxes for

using the system. Also, due to political concerns and feasibility constraints, both of these

options did not offer a promising solution. Another solution is to use the current system in

a more efficient way. This option offers high benefits and potential both on the short term

and the long term. This approach is worked out in this thesis, with a particular focus on the

long term.

In this chapter the researchers would talk about causes of traffic congestion and

then present some important principles or phenomenon which should not be ignored when

dealing with traffic congestion.

1
 According to the Federal Highway Administration of the United States of America,

Traffic Congestion is a condition on road networks that occurs as use increases, and is

characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queuing. The

most common example is the physical use of roads by vehicles.

When traffic demand is great enough that the interaction between vehicles slows the speed

of the traffic stream, congestion is incurred. As demand approaches the capacity of a road

(or of the intersections along the road), extreme traffic congestion sets in. When vehicles

are fully stopped for periods of time, this is colloquially known as a traffic jam or traffic

snarl-up.

Traffic congestion occurs when a volume of traffic or modal split generates demand

for space greater than the available road capacity; this point is commonly termed saturation.

There are a number of specific circumstances which cause or aggravate congestion; most

of them reduce the capacity of a road at a given point or over a certain length, or increase

the number of vehicles required for a given volume of people or goods. About half of

United States of Americas (U.S.A) traffic congestion is recurring, and is attributed to sheer

weight of traffic; most of the rest is attributed to traffic incidents, road work and weather

events.

The urban density of Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is one the highest of the

world and the rate of motorization far exceeds the street capacity to handle traffic.

2
 Built in the 1940’s, the circumferential highway EDSA, named after historian

Epifanio de los Santos, seems permanently clogged by traffic, even if the newer C-5

beltway tries to provide some relief.

A second major problem is the high number of bus terminals, particularly in the

Cubao area, which provide interregional service from the capital area but add to the volume

of traffic.

While authorities have banned jeepneys and tricycle from using most of EDSA, this

has meant that there is a concentration of these vehicles on side streets, blocking the smooth

exit of cars. The current paper explores some of the policy options which may be

considered to tackle congestion on EDSA.

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, June 20 2010 –The newly- installed traffic light

system beside the flyover at the busy intersection of Malolos highway- crossing is causing

more traffic jams and inconvenience rather than easing traffic flows, especially during rush

hours. Motorists passing at the intersection have to wait for long minutes before moving

on, accumulating long lines of vehicles during the ‘stop-go” intervals. Some motorists also

said that traffic lights were not a necessity at the Malolos crossing intersection since traffic

aides and policemen were regularly orchestrating the flow of traffic in the area.

3
Statement of the Problem

This study will attempt to identify the Causes of Traffic Congestion in Mabini Road,

City of Malolos. Specifically, this will seek answers to the following Sub-Problems:

1. What are the demographic profiles of respondents according to:

1.1. Age;

1.2. Gender;

1.3. Civil Status;

1.4. Highest Educational Attainment; and,

1.5. Years in Service (For Traffic Enforcers)?

2. What are the Causes of Traffic Congestion inMabini Road, City of Malolos?

3. Is there a significant difference of the assessment of the three (3) groups of

respondents on the Causes of Traffic Congestion in MabiniRoad,City of Malolos?

4. What measures may be proposed to mitigate the Causes of Traffic Congestion in

Mabini Road, City of Malolos?

4
Significance of the Study

The study will merit the following:

Students.The students of LACO and BULSU will avoid being late in school and

prevent wasting time on the tripand access to public transit may influence school

attendance because public transit gives students several options to get to school.

Workers. Most of the problems faced by today’s traffic networks are caused by the

ever-increasing usage of the traffic system. Traffic congestion is considered to be one of

the prominent issues that need attention. The traffic congestion causing problem to the

workers around Malolos like Robinsons Place Malolos, the teachers from different schools,

the nurses and doctors from the hospital and also the worker from small business. Using

this study the worker will pay attention to the reasons of the traffic as they notice the cause

they will able to adjust on the time and the route.

Road Users/Motorist.To avoid being aggressive or angry behavior by a driver of

an automobile or other motor vehicle. Such behavior might include rude gestures, verbal

insults, deliberately driving in an unsafe or threatening manner, or making threats and also

saves fuel and less time traveling.

The public utility jeepney driver and there passenger is one of the best example for

the road user. Using this research it can help them to resolve the problem that they are

facing in their daily life.

5
 Businessmen.This study will help the businessmen to know how much time they

will spend in order not to delay or interrupt their business activities and also increases their

profits. Minimizing stress most alternatives and enable individuals to work or relax while

commuting to work, instead of fighting traffic from behind the wheel.

Police and Traffic Enforcer.The police and traffic enforcer of Malolos can

minimize their time and works in road traffics and provide more time in any other works.

Economy.Congestion affects speed and smooth traffic flow. This affects a wide

range of activities, services, goods, markets opportunities in the cities which can best be

delivered through transport mobility.

The future researchers. Data obtained from this study can be used as a reference

for future traffic improvements and developments on the site location. It also can be used

as a basis for traffic design and timing of traffic signals if need to implement for the future.

By all the improvements, it helps to ease traffic flow and to decrease the travel time

therefore minimizing the travel cost.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The study primarily aims to determine the causes of traffic congestion to the Mabini

Road along Brgy. Mojon upto Kanto Lugam.

The study will utilize 150 respondents around Mabini Road along Brgy. Mojon

upto Kanto Lugam which are classified as motorist, traffic enforcer and commuter.

6
 It is composed of 50 respondents in each classification. The respondents are the

students, worker, drivers, traffic Enforcer and some people living around Mabini Road

along Brgy. Mojon upto Kanto Lugam.

It also aims to prove or disprove the hypothesis that there is no significant

difference on the assessment of the three (3) groups of respondents on the Causes of Traffic

Congestion in Mabini Road, City of Malolos.

7
 CHAPTER II

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

This chapter presents the related literature and studies from foreign and local

sources. This chapter presents the valuable insight considered significant in the present

study.

Relevant Theories

According to Talukdar (n.d.), Traffic Congestion is one of many serious global

problems in all great cities resulted from rapid urbanization which always exert negative

externalities upon society. The solution of traffic congestion is highly geocentric and due

to its heterogeneous nature, curbing congestion is one of the hard tasks for transport

planner. It is not possible to suggest unique traffic congestion management framework

which could be absolutely applied for every great cities. Conversely, it is quite feasible to

develop a framework which could be used with or without minor adjustment to deal with

congestion problem. So, the main aim of this paper is to prepare a traffic congestion

mitigation framework which will be useful for urban planners, transport planners, civil

engineers, transport policy makers, congestion management researchers who are directly

or indirectly involved or willing to involve in the task of traffic congestion management.

Literature review is the main source of information of this study. In this paper, firstly,

traffic congestion is defined on the theoretical point of view and then the causes of traffic

congestion are briefly described.

8
After describing the caused, common management measure, using world-wide, are

describe and framework for supply side and demand side congestion management

measures are prepared.

The three types of congestion are outlined by Brownfield et al (2003) as recurrent

congestion, non-recurrent congestion and the pre-congestion state. These types are based

upon the frequency and predictability of the congestion the factors which are capable to

impact on driver behavior. The costs associated with each type of congestion are likely to

be different. Non-recurrent congestion costs may be more difficult to quantify due to the

inherent sparseness of adequate amounts of data needed – it may be argued that the costs

could be higher as drivers have not been able to take the possibility of congestion into

account in planning their journey or alternatively the costs may be less dramatic as drivers

pre-developed strategies for coping with congestion will not have come into play. Some

routes are increasingly subject to non-recurrent congestion however, for example with

accident black spots. In these cases drivers may „learn‟ an expected cost in terms of likely

delay and successful contingency routes. The Pre-congestion state will carry some costs

similar to those of congestion, including loss of control over drivers‟ environment,

deterioration in the environment and other impacts.

Recurrent congestion is occurs at regular times at a site. It can be anticipated by

road users that normally use the route during those times. Examples of recurrent congestion

are morning or evening peak hour congestion, or congestion due to a regular event such as

a street market on a particular day each week.

9
 Non-recurrent congestion is occurs at non-regular times at a site. It is unexpected

and unpredictable by the driver and is normally due to incidents such as accidents, vehicle

breakdowns or other unforeseen loss of carriageway capacity.

Pre-congestion (Borderline congestion) is occurs where free-flow conditions

breakdown but full congestion has not yet occurred.

This may occur either side of the time period when congestion occurs or upstream or

downstream of congestion that is already occurring.

The increase in traffic congestion is more than a time-wasting nuisance to freight

movers. High levels of traffic congestion have been found to reduce the number of trip a

truck driver can make in a day and therefore increase shipment costs, which impacts the

competitiveness of metropolitan manufacturers and other businesses. Theoretically, it goes

without saying that there is a link between per capita income of an economy and such

economy’s marginal labor productivity. One justification for the special emphasis on labor

productivity is perhaps because labor is a universal key resource. The term labor

productivity implies the ratio of physical amount of output achieved in a given period to

the corresponding amount of labor expended. By implication, productivity here means the

physical volume of output attained per worker or per man-hour. (Oyeranti 2000).

10
Review of Related Literature/Study

This chapter presents the related literature and studies from foreign and local

sources. This chapter presents the valuable insight considered significant in the present

study.

Theory may be defined ‘as a system of interconnected abstractions or ideas that

condenses and organizes knowledge about the social world’ (Mikkelsen, 2005, p. 157).

Related Local Literature

According to(bulletin82_Article-4)Solving congestion on EDSA and in the Manila

metropolis as a whole – will not be quick or easy (Santiago 2012, Alcazaren 2013b). The

street pattern cannot be altered in one year, and local congestion will remain. Building

more roads may not be efficient on the long term. Instead, more effective policies would

be to improve the rail system, with more lines, more frequent spacious trains, better

connected stations.

Manila is one of the Asian megacities suffering from the many ills of excessive

street traffic. In the last three decades, these cities have experienced an extraordinary

increase in the number of vehicles plying their streets, while at the same time they have

sprawled into adjacent areas forming vast megalopolises, with their skyline pushed

upwards with the construction of many high-rises.

11
 The joint processes of globalization, outsourcing, and the relocalization of

manufacturing activities have been accompanied by a rise in the purchasing powers of

many people in developing Asian countries, which has allowed them to acquire motorized

vehicles, motorbikes and automobiles, even if profound inequalities exist in regard to the

capacity to acquire a vehicle (Cervero 2013).

Many parts of Manila experience heavy traffic congestion, especially in areas

of high population density and narrow streets in old neighborhoods such as Quiapo

(Manila) or Guadalupe (Makati).

In these areas, street vending encroaches on the limited road space, further

slowing down an already busy vehicular traffic, largely made of jeepneys and

tricycle(Bankoff, 2003, Zoleta-Nantes, 2009, Alcazaren, 2013).

According to (battling-congestion-in-manila--the-edsa-problem) Solving

congestion on EDSA – and in the Manila metropolis as a whole – will not be quick or easy

(Santiago 2012, Alcazaren 2013b). The street pattern cannot be altered in one year,

and local congestion will remain.

Building more roads may not be efficient on the long term. Instead, more

effective policies would be to improve the rail system, with more lines, more frequent

spacious trains, better connected stations.

12
 According to (Napalang_02June2016Economic) loss due to congestion in Metro

Manila is estimated to be Php. 2.1 B/day and is expected to increase to PhP6B daily in

2030, if no intervention is effectively implemented (JICA, 2014).

Related Foreign Literature

One form of information dissemination using mobile phones requires the user to

call an automated telephone number to find out local travel conditions. Many areas have a

service such as 511 that can be called to receive roadway information (San

FransiscoMetropolitant Transportation Commission 2012).

Sanders (2015) revealed that the cost of congestion in the United States of America

included 87,606 crashes in work zones, 1,200 deaths, 37,476 injuries, 482 million hours

lost in driver delays and $6.5billion lost time. Sanders also identified the accident costs to

include property and medical but that the user delays costs are often the largest cost.

The user delay from increased accidents and user delay from reduced lanes are

enormous. Also identified as part of congestion costs are increased fuel consumption and

reduced air quality.

Motorists, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians need clear and traffic guidance

through built up areas such as work zones.

The process by which this is accomplished is termed Positive Guidance, Sanders

(2015). This eliminates traveler’s confusion that can lead to crashes which creates traffic

problems.
13
 There should be proper traffic control at construction zones in the cities and on

major corridors where road rehabilitation activities are ongoing. In most cases, traffic

officials are deployed on traffic control at such places. However, authorities could try

‘Ramp Metering’. The application of control devices to regulate the number of vehicles

entering or leaving the freeway, in order to achieve operational objectives is known as

Ramp Metering. It is also known as ‘Merge Signals’ or ‘Flow Lights’. It is used in large

metropolitan areas and has been shown to reduce traffic congestion and increase overall

safety, Heydt (2015).

Oyeyemi (2015) believes that enforcing traffic laws strictly without fear or favor

will enhance the livability of our cities. He also stated that traffic management agencies

like the state traffic agencies such as the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority

(LASTMA) should collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corps to enforce the laws,

educate road users, clear the road of all sorts of obstructions and evolve strategies that will

lead to safer road culture in Nigeria.

14
Related Local Studies

Transportation is the movement of people, animals, services, and goods from

onelocation to another. Modes of transport include air, rail, road, water, cable, pipeline,

andspace.

Transport infrastructure consists of fixed installations necessary for

transportincluding roads, railways, airways, waterways, canals and pipelines and terminals

suchas airports, railway stations, bus stations, warehouses, trucking terminals,

refuelingdepots (fueling docks and fuel stations), and seaports. (Elisonguo, 2013).

Economic and social activities of human kind revolve around transportation. It is

alink to almost all sectors of an economy. Virtually everything we do

reliesontransportation. Trade within and between different regions is vital to

economicdevelopment and directly depends on transportation ( World Bank 2002 cited by

Harriet,Poku, Emmanuel 2013).

We feel the same for its synonyms which all mean that were going to be late for

work again, words like “gridlock” and “congestion”. Anyone who has ever visited, worked

in or lived in the Philippines would know how bad the traffic jams are in the cities,

particularly Quezon City, Manila and Makati.

15
 The main avenues of these cities and even the secondary roads are often congested,

and the problems of traffic congestion had become so serious that the economy is affected

in no small way.

There is a reason why popular novelist Dan 5rown P author of The Da Vinci 0ode6

and Angels and Demons- mentioned Metro Manila’s monumental traffic jams in his book

“inferno”. He called Metro Manila the ‘gates of Hell’. Traffic problems in the Philippines

and proposed solutions (2014).

According to a research titled “Employer Views on Traffic Congestion” (Policy

brief 115 of the Reason Foundation, February 2014), traffic congestion is a problem not

Just for individual commuters but for businesses as well.

While commuters are greatly concerned over rush hour traffic, businesses are also

concerned with the off-peak hour (non-rush hour) delivery of goods. It was pointed out in

the research that because businesses are concerned with congestion during both time

periods, their views on traffic congestion differ from those of commuters. Solving rush

hour and of-peak congestion is also more challenging than merely solving rush hour

congestion.

According to Napalang, the government should prioritize improving the country/s

mass public transport system, which includes railway and bus rapid transit. She added that

the premium P2P bus service is a good first step, as it gives another option for commuters,

and encourages private car owners to leave their cars at home.

16
She added that even with road repairs and improvements,We can no longer sustain so many

private vehicles on the road. We will burst at the seams, even if we do make third, fourth,

fifth level EDSA," Napalang said. Pascual,J. (2016, August17) What causes Metro Manila

traffic gridlock.

Related Foreign Studies

Three-phase traffic theory was introduced by Boris S Kerner as a reaction on a

study of a huge number of measured data from many German and Holland freeways made

during the author‟s work in 1995-1996 at the traffic consulting and software-development

firm “Heusch-Boesefeldt” in Germany. Kerner, B.S. (n.d). Sometimes it is known as Boris

Kerner's three phase traffic theory and it was developed between 1996 and 2002.

In the three phase theory, the traffic phenomena are explained by three phase; free flow,

synchronized flow, and moving jam. The three phase traffic theory offers qualitative

explanation of real traffic. (Park, M., (2012).

According to the citizen correspondent, Karen von Schmieden, (2013) the traffic

jams are not only annoying, but also dangerous, costly and causing pollution. About a third

of road accidents in the country are reported to occur in Dar es Salaam alone. Many drivers

are fond of speeding to compensate for the lost time in traffic jams. As a result, there are

always fatal road accidents.

17
Data from 2008 shows that about 67 per cent of pedestrians died in road accidents in Dar

es Salaam when trying to cross the road during evening hours.

The Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute observes a 64 per cent rise in the death toll last

year (2012) and at least 695 people died in motorcycle accidents. (Masaoe, E, (n.d).

The studies and practices, which deal with the traffic congestion mitigation, include

increasing of road infrastructure supply or decreasing of travel demand, or both. Current

studies have however demonstrated that increasing the size of infrastructure could be only

part of the answer (OECD, 2013).

As many measures are intrinsically interactive, which may need to be addressed

jointly. With increased growth of traffic flow, it is crucial to develop cost-efficient policies,

which would alleviate traffic congestion and address negative externalities in terms of

environmental impact and cost to the economy (Watling, Milne, Clark, 2012).

According to the Department of transportation, United States (2005, pp.1-2), there are

generally seven reasons of traffic congestion.

These seven reasons are generally grouped into three broad categories, such as,

traffic influencing events, traffic demand and physical road features. Traffic incidents,

work zones and weather are the traffic influencing events. Traffic incidents include

vehicular crashes, breakdowns, debris in travel lanes, events that occur on the shoulder or

roadside, etc. A construction activity on the roadway is the example of a work zone.
18
Reduced visibility, bright sunlight on the horizon, presence of fog or smoke, wet, snowy

or icy road way are the examples of poor weather.

Traffic demand includes fluctuations in normal traffic, such as day to day variability

in demand and special events. Physical highway features include road way physical and

geometrical characteristics, poor traffic control devices and physical bottlenecks (capacity)

of the road (Talukdar, 2013)

19
Conceptual Framework

CONCEPT PROCESS

Determine
1. Profile of
Respondents 3. Profile
(Motorist, 4. Assessment on
Commuter, Causes of
Traffic Enforcer) Traffic
Congestion and
Proposed Traffic
2. Assessment on Mitigation
Causes of Traffic
Congestion and
Proposed Traffic Compare
Mitigation

Figure 1 Conceptual Paradigms.

20
Hypothesis of the study

There is no significant difference on the assessment of the three (3) groups of

respondents on the Causes of Traffic Congestion in Mabini Road, City of Malolos.

Definition of Terms

This part includes the operational or conceptual definition of the terms used in the

study.

Commuter

A person who travels some distance to work on a regular basis.

Mitigation

The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.

.Motorist

A person who drives an automobile or travels by automobile.

Traffic congestion

Is a condition on transport networks that occurs as use increases, and is characterized

by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queueing.

When traffic demand is great enough that the interaction between vehicles slows the speed

of the traffic stream, this results in some congestion.

21
While congestion is a possibility for any mode of transportation, this article will focus on

automobile congestion on public roads.

Traffic enforcer

A traffic enforcer is someone who enforcers traffic rules and safety standards. At

times they may also be called highway patrol officer.

Traffic

On roads consists of road users including pedestrians, ridden or

herded animals, vehicles, streetcars, buses and other conveyances, either singly or

together, while using the public way for purposes of travel.

22
 CHAPTER III

Method of Research and Procedure

This chapter presents the research method, population and sampling scheme,

description of respondents, research instrument, validation of instruments, procedures in

gathering data and statistical treatment of data.

Research Methodology

This study will utilize the quantitative method since the focus of this study is to

understand traveler perceptions, attitudes and behavior, as a complement to more

established quantitative surveys of public perceptions, attitudes and behavior.

The process quantitative research is a designed to provide an accurate measure of

public opinion. It is clearly vital that a survey is carried out using the correct sampling

procedures, but also that the questionnaire used is clear and unambiguous for the

respondents. Language and phrasing play an important role in this process.

The focus of this study is the prevailing condition of traffic congestion in Mabini

Road along Brgy. Mojon upto Kanto Lugam.

The researcher will utilize the survey questionnaires, structured interview, and

observation techniques as secondary strategy in conducting study.

23
Population and Sample of the Study

The researcher made use of the so-called purposive sampling technique to the three

groups of respondents which is composed of the motorist, commuters, and traffic enforcers.

Purposive sampling is a form of non-probability sampling to draw the respondents

and will be used to determine the feedback of the population of the respondents. In

purposive sampling, a researcher use special knowledge or expertise about a specific group

to select subjects who represents this population (Berg 2004).

Research Instrument

For the researcher’s specific purpose, data were collected with use of the following:

1. Survey Questionnaire. This is the main instrument to be used in gathering data.

The questionnaire was composed of three parts;

Part I, deals with the demographic profile of the respondents wherein they provided

some some personal information such as age, gender, civil status, etc.

24
 Part II, was composed of fifteen item checklist which determines the domains on

the causes of traffic congestion in Mabini road, City of MalolosBulacan. The

responses to each item were evaluated according to the arbitrary scale as shown

below:

Descriptive Rating Point Value Means of Scale

Strongly Agree (SA) 4 3.26 – 4.00

Agree (A) 3 2.51 – 3.25

Disagree (DA) 2 1.76 – 2.50

Strongly Disagree (SD) 1 1.00 – 1.75

Part III, is composed of twenty item checklist which determines the proposed

measures to mitigate the Causes of Traffic Congestion in Mabini Road, City of Malolos.

The responses to each item will be evaluated according to the arbitrary scale shown below:

Descriptive Rating Point Value Means of Scale

Highly Recommended (HR) 4 3.26 – 4.00

Recommended (R) 3 2.51 – 3.25

Least Recommended (LR) 2 1.76 – 2.50

Not Recommended (NR) 1 1.00 – 1.75

25
 2. Observation. As observed from the second chapter of this research study, the

researcher use all of their senses to examine people in natural settings or naturally

occuring situation.

Validation of Instrument

The survey questionnaire was designed on the concept reflected in the statement of

the problem. Guided by the standard principle and criteria of questionnaire construction,

the researcher saw to it that straight forwardness, simplicity, agreement and emphasis in

contacts are observed and from the style which also considered as guidelines in the design

and development of items in each part of the instrument.

In addition, the following procedure was undertaken in the process of validity of

the questionnaire.

First, the questionnaire was shown to research professor to check, analyze and

observe the mechanics to improve the presentation of items. The researcher also consulted

to a Traffic Operation Officer IV of City of Malolos Traffic Management office to validate

the set of survey questionnaire.

When the improved draft was approved, with all the suggestions and

recommendations, it was presented to the adviser for further scrutiny and improvement.

26
Data Gathering Procedure

The research was undertaken in the following procedures or steps of gathering data

for this research study. First, the researcher ascertained the issue and concerns relevant to

the theme of the study through document review and analysis to sort out and identity the

diverse base of the secondary data such as book guidelines, journals, internet websites, and

other documents correlated with the topic.

Second the researcher prepared the needed request and communication to all concerned

respondents and the master list of three groups of respondents by category.

Administer the survey questionnaire to the respondents by category. The

researcher then explained to the respondents the mechanics in answering the questionnaire

checklist. Third, the researcher collated, sorted, scanned and evaluated the answered

instruments form the respondents. Tabulation and computation of gathered data was

consulted to his respondents. Tabulation and computation of gathered data was consulted

to his adviser to analyze the gathered data in tabular and text presentation with due

consideration of the sub-problem of the study to be encoded on the manuscript. The data

elicited from personal interview, actual observations and survey questionnaire was used to

supplement and contribute in the solution and clarity of the problems at hand.

27
Statistical Treatment of Data

The data gathered was tabulated, analyzed and interpreted using the following

statistical tools in accordance with the specific problem.

The frequency and percentage was used to present the profile of the respondents.

The Mean and Standard Deviation was used to interpret the assessment of the

respondents to causes of traffic congestions and traffic mitigation.

The weighted mean in which each item being averaged is multiplied by a number

(weight) based on the item's relative importance. The result is summed and the total is

divided by the sum of the weights. Weighted averages are used extensively in descriptive

statistical analysis such as index numbers.

In determining the differences among the respondents’ assessment according to

their type, ANOVA single factor test will be used. ANOVA.(Analysis of Variance). The

ANOVA for independent samples was used to determine the difference of categories

beyond two levels. Computations and analysis were computer processed using MS Excel.

28
 CHAPTER IV

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This chapter presents the data gathered, its interpretation and the analysis

pertinent to the achievement of the research results.

Table 1. Demographic profile of the respondents

Table 1.1 Age of the Respondents

Type F %
18-Below 9 6
19-25 52 34.67
26-35 26 17.33
36-45 39 26
46-55 15 10
56- Above 9 6
Total 150

The computed mean was 33.14 which shows that the respondents are relatively

adult. More than 50 % of the respondents fall under the mean. Only 9 out of 150 (6 %) of

the respondents are 18 and below due to the law implemented by the Land Transportation

Office (LTO) that all 18 and above are entitled for professional license and for minors,

only student license are authorized.

Table 1.2 Gender of the Respondents

f %
Male 116 77.33
Female 34 22.67
Total 150
29
 According to Secretary Dr. Romulo A. Virola, male drivers outnumbered the

female drivers. There is one female driver for every 5 drivers, which mean 4 out of 5

drivers. The statement were supported by the result of the study which shows that 77.33 %

of the respondents are male.

Table 1.3 Civil Status of the Respondents

Status f %
Single 62 41.33
Married 79 52.67
Legally
Separated 4 2.67
Widower 5 3.33
Total 150

Majority of the respondents are married (52.67 %) as shown in table 1.3.

According to LTO office (2015), transportation has 3.1 % contribution to the country’s

gross domestic product (GDP). Father as head of the family used driving either public or

private vehicle as the sources of their income. Moreover, Toyota (2011) and Hyundai

(2013) stated that 5 for every 6 car buyers are male. Even private vehicles are being drove

usually by men. In addition, traffic enforcers are usually men.

30
Table 1.4 Educational Attainment of the Respondents

Educational
Attainment F %
Elementary Grad. 6 4.00
High School
Grad. 82 54.67
College Grad. 55 36.67
Master Deg. 7 4.67
Total 150

The table shows that 58.67 % are high school graduate. When grouped

according educational attainment, those elementary and high school graduate came from

traffic enforcers and motorists driving public vehicle. Those college and masters graduate

owned their own private cars and some are commuters and used public vehicle in going to

their workplace.

Table 1.5 Years in Service of the Traffic Enforcers Respondents

Years F %
0-1 Year 8 5.33
2-5 Years 19 12.67
6-10 Years 17 11.33
11 Above 6 4.00
Total 50

Table 1.5 shows that 94.67 % of the respondents have at least 2 years in

service.

31
 This give a strong conviction to the researcher that the respondents (traffic

enforcers) are exposed to different causes of traffic congestions and their perceptions and

experiences are helpful in accomplishing the study.

Table 2. Causes of Traffic Experienced by the Respondents

Weighted Standard Verbal

INDICATORS
Mean Deviation Interpretation
1. Illegal loading and unloading of Strongly
public utility vehicles. 3.42 0.92 Agree
2. Narrow road/consist only of Strongly
two-way 3.37 0.85 Agree
Strongly
3. Illegal parking
3.35 0.90 Agree
Strongly
4. Double parking of vehicles
3.26 0.94 Agree
5. Poor implementation of traffic
Agree
laws 3.15 0.99
6. Enforcers disregard drivers
Agree
violating traffic laws 3.08 1.08
Strongly
7. Road repairs
3.33 0.97 Agree
8. Presence of mobile vendors 3.15 0.97 Agree

9. Practice of “Kakilala” System Agree

3.14 0.99
10. Extensions of building within
Agree
the road 3.08 0.98
11. Lack of traffic signs 3.11 1.04 Agree
12. Lack of presence of traffic
Agree
enforcers choke point areas 3.17 0.93
13. Presence of long vehicles 3.24 0.88 Agree
14. No presence of traffic
Agree
enforcers in intersections 3.19 0.97
Strongly
15. Undisciplined drivers
3.41 0.87 Agree
Average 3.23 0.95 Agree
32
 The table shows the level of agreement of the respondents to the causes of traffic

congestion provided. Indicator number 1,2,3,4,7 and 15 got an average of greater than

2.56 and have verbal interpretation of strongly agree.

Some of the public vehicle drivers are undisciplined (as reflected in question

number 1) in loading and unloading of public utility vehicles. Respondents strongly agreed

garnering an average of 3.42 and standard deviation of 0.92 that this causes traffic. Despite

of the LTO’s effort to do reforms to lessen traffic caused by illegal loading and unloading,

drivers are consistent in disobeying the rule. Orbos (2017) reminded the drivers that this

can cause danger not only to themselves but also to others. Passengers should learn to obey

traffic rules orderly line up to get on and get off PUVs at designated loading and unloading

bays.

Not all roads in the Philippines specifically on the research location are wide, most

of it are considered narrow compare to the numbers of registered cars or vehicles. As

experienced by the respondents, narrow road which consists only of two way (mean of 3.37

with 0.85 standard deviation), illegal parking (mean of 3.35 and 0.90 standard deviation)

and double parking of vehicles are three of the top reasons why they experienced traffic

congestions. Because of the instant or easy acquisition of cars, most people purchase one

even they have no parking space for it. Sad to say they use the road to park their cars which

resulted traffic congestions.

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 People usually argued the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in

repairing the road that causes traffic which make their travelling hours longer than the

usual. The maintenance of the road usually takes 2 -3 years. However, there are roads that

are being repaired even there is no 2 years.

Indicator 5,6 and 8 to 14 have an average between 2.51 - 3.25 and have a verbal

interpretation of agree. Indicator 5,6,11 and 14 pertains to the traffic rules and regulations.

Ormos reminded both the people that not following even the most basic and simplest traffic

rules and regulations could trigger bottleneck. He emphasized that if people really want to

improve the traffic situation, everyone should comply with the regulations to keep the

traffic moving.

Table 3.Test of Significant Difference among Respondents when grouped according

to their groups

Computed F-Value Tabular Value Decision Interpretation

14.67 3.206 Reject Ho Significant

Table 3.1 present the computed F-value, Tabular Value, decision and interpretation.

In the result, using microsoft excel the computed F-Value =14.68 is greater than the

Tabular Value = 3.06, which means null hypothesis rejected.

Therefore there is a significant difference on the assessment of the three (3) groups

of respondents on the Causes of Traffic Congestion in MabiniRoad,City of Malolos.

34
 According to Talukbar (2013) there are seven reasons of traffic congestion that are

generally grouped into three broad categories, such as, traffic influencing events, traffic

demand and physical road features. Traffic incidents, work zones and weather are the

traffic influencing events. Traffic incidents include vehicular crashes, breakdowns, debris

in travel lanes, events that occur on the shoulder or roadside, etc.

A construction activity on the roadway is the example of a work zone. Reduced

visibility, bright sunlight on the horizon, presence of fog or smoke, wet, snowy or icy road

way are the examples of poor weather.

Traffic demand includes fluctuations in normal traffic, such as day to day variability

in demand and special events. Physical highway features include road way physical and

geometrical characteristics, poor traffic control devices and physical bottlenecks (capacity)

of the road.

These three major group that cause traffic congestion made by different groups of

people. The result of the study shows that the three groups have different level of

assessment on the causes of traffic congestions. As an observation, the assessment of the

drivers have high scale on traffic enforcers, commuters and infrastructures factors.

These group of people think that the road capacity, road repairs, absence of traffic enforcers

and undisciplined commuters are the primary reason why traffic congestions appeared.

35
On the other hand, commuters have low assessment on traffic congestions compare to the

other two groups. Meanwhile, they have high scale on road repair and undisciplined drivers

that cause traffic congestions.

Traffic enforcers noticed that undisciplined drivers, illegal parking and narrow road

are the top reasons of traffic congestion. It is notable that the three groups have different

point of view and observations.

The result is supported by the statemtn of Ms. Ma. ShielahNapalang of the National

Center for Transportation studies. She mentioned that road, vehicles, people and

institutions are the top reasons behind traffic crisis affecting Metro Manila. She added that

part of the problem is that people are so impatient and people don’t follow rules.

Moreover, according to the study of Kaneyasu (2017) entitled Predicting Traffic

Congestion Using Driver Behaviour, physical condition of the roads, events that caused by

commuters and undisciplined drivers trigger other drivers to become impatient and

undisciplined that will cause traffic congestion. The three groups have higher role in order

to minimize of improve the movement of the traffic.

36
Table 4. Respondent’s Assessment for Traffic Congestion Mitigation
Weighted Standard
Proposed measures Verbal Interpretation
Mean Deviation
1. Designated Loading and Unloading Area. Highly Recommended
3.55 0.77
2. Strict and full implementation of traffic laws and
Highly Recommended
ordinances. 3.61 0.67
3. Road widening. Highly Recommended
3.36 0.78
4. Strong campaign against illegal parking. Highly Recommended
3.49 0.71
5. Conspicuous and designated Ped Xing. Highly Recommended
3.47 0.73
6. Penalty for jay walking. Highly Recommended
3.31 0.84
7. Campaign against illegal terminals. Highly Recommended
3.35 0.81
8. Prohibition against traffic obstructions, set-up on
streets during special occasions (tents, chairs and Highly Recommended
tables etc.). 3.37 0.75
9. Apprehend vendors setting up on sidewalks and
Highly Recommended
roads. 3.33 0.78
10. Reduction of Establishments along Mabini
Highly Recommended
Road.. 3.31 0.80
11. Putting Jeepney Drivers on Monthly Salaries
Recommended
rather than on the boundary basis.
3.05 0.99
12. Implement the number coding scheme on
Recommended
private cars or vehicles. 3.13 0.91
13. Scheme for riding public. Highly Recommended
3.31 0.80
14. Increase traffic enforcer visibility. Highly Recommended
3.37 0.77
15. Establish a reporting scheme to report all form
Highly Recommended
of Corruption in Traffic. 3.41 0.72
16. Tow illegally parked vehicles. Highly Recommended
3.44 0.72
17. Phase out old (15 years and above) vehicles. Recommended
3.19 0.88
18. Apprehend commuters waiting vehicles outside
Highly Recommended
the prescribe area 3.31 0.80
19. Promote road courtesy. Highly Recommended
3.49 0.70
20. Increase CCTV coverage of the streets 3.51 0.73 Highly Recommended
Average Highly Recommended
3.37 0.78
37
 Table 4 presents the weighted mean, standard deviation and verbal interpretation

about the assessment of the three groups about the mitigation for traffic congestion. Strict

and full implementation of traffic laws and ordinances as shows in table 4, indicator 2

obtained the highest mean score of 3.61, standard deviation .77, with verbal interpretation

of highly recommended. It indicates that the government especially the LTO should strictly

implement the laws regarding transportation and religiously monitored and penalized those

undisciplined drivers who are impatient to abide the laws. Indicator 1 obtained the mean

score of 3.55, standard deviation .77 and verbal interpretation of highly recommended.

These indicators states that there should a designated loading and unloading area even there

are existing. People in their convenient do not follow the rules that’s why motorist are

forced not follow the rules also just to get passengers.

Security on roads should be improved. Indicator 20 got an average of 3.51 with

standard deviation of 3.51 which states that there should have an increase of CCTV

coverage on the streets. This will improve the strict implementation of rules and religiously

monitoring of delinquent drivers, commuters and all responsible for traffic congestions and

even crimes. Even without the presence of traffic enforcers or police, the LTFRB can still

monitor the movement of traffic and road condition. LTFRB should have strong campaign

for illegal parking and promote road courtesy with the help of barangay officials. Narrow

roads and even wide road can have traffic if there are cars being parked on the road even

on the side. Indicator 4 and 19 got a mean score of 3.49 with 0.71 and 0.70 standard

deviation respectively.

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Illegal parking is supported by towing the illegal parked vehicles as highly recommended

by the three groups garnering a mean score 3.44 with 0.72 standard deviation.

To avoid jay walking and accidents, conspicuous and designated Ped Xing should be

established. It is good to note that there are existing designated pedxing, yet people tend to

cross the road even they are not in the pedestrian lane. Moreover, penalty for jay walkers

(indicator 6) are highly recommended.

Indicator number 8 and 14 got similar mean which is 3.37 with standard deviation

of .75 and 0.77 respectively. Prohibition against traffic obstructions, set-up on streets

during special occasions (tents, chairs and tables etc.) and increase traffic enforcer visibility

are also highly recommended by the respondents. According to Talukbar (2013) these

setting up chairs or celebrating occasions on the street is one of the causes of traffic

congestions and be considered as traffic demands. People that want to celebrate occasions

should find another venue instead of using the road or streets that can cause traffic

congestions.

In addition, road widening is being considered by the respondents in order to

improve the traffic flow. It is has a mean score of 3.36 with 0.78 standard deviation and

has a verbal interpretation of highly recommended. It was supported by indicator number

9 and 10 which state that apprehend vendors setting up on sidewalks and roads and

reduction of establishments along Mabini Road.

39
 Meanwhile, indicator 11, 12 and 17 are being rocemmendedby the repondents.

Over all, the mitigation asked by the researcher were highly recommended by the

respondents with a mean score of 3.37 and 0.78 stadnard deviation. These are putting

jeepney drivers on monthly salaries rather than on the boundary basis, implementing the

number coding scheme on private cars or vehicles and phasing out old (15 years and above)

vehicles.

40
 CHAPTER V

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

This chapter presents the summary, findings, conclusions and recommendations

that are relative to the goal of the study being done.

Summary

In this study, the aim of identifying the causes of traffic congestion in Mabini Road

City of Malolos as basis towards enhanced traffic management plan was raised.

Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:

1. What are the demographic profiles of respondents according to:

1.1. Age;

1.2. Gender;

1.3. Civil Status;

1.4. Highest Educational Attainment; and,

1.5. Years in Service (For Traffic Enforcers)?

2. What are the Causes of Traffic Congestion inMabini Road, City of Malolos?

3. Is there a significant difference of the assessment of the three (3) groups of

respondents on the Causes of Traffic Congestion in MabiniRoad,City of Malolos?

41
4. What measures may be proposed to mitigate the Causes of Traffic Congestion in

Mabini Road, City of Malolos?

Findings

Table 1.1 shows the age of the respondents and the computed mean was 33.14

which more than half of the respondents fall above the mean. Table 1.2 present the gender

of the respondents, which male outnumbered the females with 116 out of 150 respondents

(77.33%). Table 1.3 present the status of the respondents which married got the highest

frequency of 79 (52.67%). More than half of the respondents (82 out of 150) finished high

school as table 1.4 show the highest educational attainment of the respondents. In table 1.5,

the number of years in service of the traffic enforcers are shown. Nineteen (19) out of 50

traffic enforcers have rendered 2 to 5 years of service. Moreover, 94.67 % have at least 2

years in service as traffic enforcers.

Since the computed mean of the age of the respondents are relatively adult, the

respondents have high scale or score in the assessment on the causes of traffic congestions.

Though the three groups have different top causes of traffic congestions, still their score

are all strongly agree.For the assessment of the causes of traffic congestion of the three

groups such as commuters, motorists and traffic enforcers, their level of agreement about

this were found strongly agree, which revealed that they merely comprehensively

experienced the causes being asked.

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 The findings also showed that the difference between the assessment of the three

(3) groups of respondents on the Causes of Traffic Congestion in MabiniRoad,City of

Malolos were significant. As table 3 showed that there is significant difference when the

respondents grouped according to their group (commuter, motorist and traffic enforcer).

Conclusions

In view of the aforementioned findings, the following conclusion were drawn:

In terms of the profile of the respondents, most of the drivers and traffic enforcers got

high school diploma or elementary diploma. They used driving in order to earn money and

sustain their subsistence. Most of them are head of the family (married) in which they are

the one to support and provide the needs of their family.

Moreover, awareness about laws, rules and regulations on roads, driving and the like

should promote. The government agencies such as LTFRB and LTO should educate all of

the people such as commuter, traffic enforcers and motorists about all of those. Though

there are present procedures or criteria before an individual gets a driver’s license, they

should review and improve it because the result show that traffic congestions are being

primarily created by undisciplined drivers and commuters.

The study concluded that the difference among the assessment of the three (3) groups

of respondents on the Causes of Traffic Congestion in MabiniRoad,City of Malolos were

significant when they are grouped according to their type (traffic enforcer, commuter and

motorist).

43
Recommendations

Based on the findings and conclusion of the study the following recommendations

was given:

Traffic enforcers should religiously monitor and strictly implement the rules and

regulations to improve the traffic flow. Penalize the undisciplined individual that may

cause traffic with the reinforcement of barangay officials and police.

Commuters should abide the laws regarding roads and streets in order to be safe

and not to obstruct the traffic flow. They should have the patient to get in the designated

loading and unloading area, walk or cross road using the designated pedestrian lane and do

not jay walk. This will help the traffic enforcer to apprehend drivers who illegally load

passengers.

Drivers should wholeheartedly follow all the rules and regulations set by the

government. They are the primary users of the road and they have to take care of it. Before

purchasing car, make sure they have parking space for it and not to park their vehicle on

the road.

Government should also improve the security, additional CCTV, traffic lights (as

necessary), and traffic enforcers to monitor the traffic flow and those undisciplined and

impatient motorist.

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 For future study, a similar study involving equal groups of respondents based on

the profile of the respondents be undertaken to affirm the findings of the study or have a

different findings. Furthermore, future researchers should also explore on the other

important factors (e.g number of hours travelled, drivers behaviour, number of the

members of the family, type of car).

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Ghana?, Trondheim, May 2009

Francois Mahama, Study of vehicular traffic congestion in the sekondi-takoradi

Metropolis, Kumasi, Ghana, April 2012

Takyi Harriet, Kofi Poku, Anin Kwabena Emmanuel, An Assessment of Traffic

Congestion and Its Effect on Productivity in Urban Ghana, Ghana, March 2013

Wenjie Zhang, Managing Traffic Congestion - Case study of Hangzhou, China, May 15

2011

Ebscohost.com

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