Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Metro Manila Traffic

As far as 1990s traffic in Metro Manila was already a pressing issue. In fact for our undergraduate thesis we developed an automated traffic control system and in this study we have identified key areas that needs to be addressed to solve the traffic congestion. First is the traffic control system that is adaptable and automated. Next is vehicle policies which should control volume and presence of vehicles. Third is pedestrian discpline where policies should be in place to discipline road behaviors. Fourth is drivers'  discipline abd courtesy in the road where policies should also be enforced. And lastly infrastructure to accommodate traffic volume. In our thesis we targeted the automated traffic control system. Our work has brought us to present even to national traffic forum sponsored byJICA and DOTC where we were lauded for our work.


So after 20 years, here are my thoughts on traffic in MetroManila
1. There are too many cars on the road. As evidence, people use the road as their parking. Two lane secondary roads become one lane because people park their cars on the road as their homes don't parking. We should have a policy no valid parking area no car ownership priviledge.
2. Intelligent and smarter traffic enforcers. Most often you find traffic enforcers in a group i  areas where there seemed to be no problem. In areas where you have congestion you would find them just waving their hands. The enforcers objective should be to enforce the law...keep the traffic moving..ie the faster they can move out vehicles from edsa the better the traffic congestion will ease up.
3. MMDA should seek help and solutions from the university. Mechanical and chemical engineering students can propose as thesis structural solutions to MetroManila traffic congestion. MMDA can actually make it as a competition. Engineering students have eng'g courses on fluid dynamics which gives them capacity to develop the solution.

What' your take on traffic now in MetroManila

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