Design of Traffic Management Scheme Along Congressional – Mindanao Avenue Intersection

Dedasi, Vigo Jesrel V.

Domingo, Jetter Alexis E.
Frades, Jophet F.
Olinan, Kenneth Paul B.

Technological Institute of the Philippines

Cubao, Quezon City

March 2019
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Project

Transportation planning is very important to address current and future transportation, land use, economic
development, traffic demand, public safety, health, and social needs. It also plays an important part in
economic growth and globalization that enables trade between people, which is essential for the
development
Mindanao Avenue is an eight-to-ten lane divided avenue connecting Epifanio de los Santos Avenue
(EDSA) and North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and is a part of Circumferential Road 5 (C-5) while
Congressional Avenue is one of the secondary roads in Metro Manila which spans from 6 lanes. Mindanao
Avenue and Congressional Avenue intersection are one of the major thoroughfare that catered thousands
of vehicles a day connecting some vital parts of Metro Manila like LRT-1 Munoz Station, Veterans Memorial
Medical Centre, Quezon City Memorial Circle, Sm North-EDSA, Trimoma Mall, Ayala Vertis Mall and MRT-
7 North Station.
In the past years due to increasing growth rate and rapid development and industrialization to the
metropolis, these roads become more congested and heavy traffic in the area is being experienced while
the increasing in travel time and decreased in comfort level of commuters. Which brought problem to many
motorists. To address traffic situation that has been a major restriction to growth the designer considered
multiple criteria to come with possible solution that led in propose New Traffic Management Scheme of the
intersection based on the standard of Philippine code.
1.2 Project Location

Figure 1.1: Mindanao Avenue- Congressional Avenue Intersection.

The location of the traffic management scheme project is the intersection between Mindanao Avenue and
Congressional Avenue in Quezon City. Mindanao Avenue is a connecting route from North Avenue to North
Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Segment 8.1 and Quirino Highway. The Congressional Avenue connects Epifanio
Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and the Commonwealth Avenue.
1.3 Project Client
The client of this project will be the Philippine Government specifically the Department of Public Works and
Highways through Secretary Mark Villar and also Atty. Arthur P. Tugade, the secretary, Ms. Anneli R. Lontoc
and Mr. Thomas M. Orbos, the undersecretaries for road transport and infrastructure, of Department of
Transportation (DoTr). This project could also be raised to the engineering department of the local
government of Quezon City.
This design project deals to have better accommodation within the intersection of Mindanao Avenue and
Congressional Avenue and minimize the usual heavy traffic happening on the said intersection.

1.4 Project Objective

The main objective of the project is to provide a design in a traffic management analysis scheme that will
apply on the location along the highway of Congressional Avenue to Mindanao Avenue. To lessen the heavy
traffic during rush hour and congested intersection lane. By this traffic study the various government agencies
can use it as a basis in constructing any kind of structural transportation on said location.

1.4.1 Specific Objective

To ease traffic congestion of vehicle from North Avenue – Novaliches , Quezon City.
 To provide a design in a traffic study that various agencies can use it as a basis and trade-
off for the project in the future.
 To provide a design and evaluate possible ways and traffic management solution to ease
the traffic.
 To design present traffic condition in the area
1.5 Scope and Limitation
The scope of the project is the following:
 Conduct traffic count along the Congressional Avenue to determine the annual daily traffic.
 Define different existing transportation facilities that causes of roadway constriction.
 Define mode of transportation that are existing for us to determine the most common vehicle
that consist the traffic flow.
 To determine traffic directions that are existing which redirect the traffic flow towards the
common intersection that develops the traffic congestions.
 Define streets that can be used for alternative road to reduce the traffic.
 To determine the obstructions such as illegal parking which will lead to narrow the section
of the road.
The limitation of the project is the following:
  Construct a management for the proposed design.
 Detailed computation for the traffic management scheme.
 Transportation, Geotechnical and structural studies for the proposed design.

1.6 Project Development

This traffic management scheme will undergo different stages. The first phase is the exposition of the problem
in order to address and formulate solutions. This includes the objectives and related studies on available data
gathered. Interviews, Survey, Distribution of questioners will also be done through public consultation and
statistical data. The next stage is Interpretation of the result in which the group will design possible
engineering solutions to the problem. The summary which includes final cost estimates, complete details,
design and analysis. The later part is the Solution and Recommendation which is the final governing design
that will be implemented for the project. The following steps will be in systematic approach
1.7 Project Development

Start
`
`
Analysis of
Existing
Condition

Identifying the
Problem

Consideration of
Constraints

Formulation of
the Possible
Trade Offs

Trade Off 1 Trade Off 2 Trade Off 3

Design of Trade Design of Trade Design of Trade

Off 1 Off 2 Off 3

Validation of
Trade Off
In the design project, there are many stages that will help the designers come up with the most beneficial
solution to address the current situation of the intersection. The figure on the previous page shows the project
development flowchart to illustrate the systematic process in designing the Congressional – Mindanao
Avenue intersection.
Analysis of Existing Condition. The designers have come up with situational analysis through observation
within the vicinity of the intersection. These analysis provides a start for the development of the design project.
Places within the intersection, traffic volume which includes vehicles and pedestrians, existing routes,
ongoing and planned projects within the intersection were analysed in order to figure out the problem.
Identifying the Problem. After observing the intersection’s situation, the designers identify the problem which
is aimed to be addressed. Having the problem identified, the designers can have ideas and possible solutions
to it.
Consideration of Constraints. The designers classify all things that would affect the development of the project
even on the early stage. All constraints are considered and analysed in order to formulate solutions for the
identified problem.
Formulation of Possible Trade Offs. All possible solutions were discussed by the designers and will be
analysed in order to know the governing trade off considering all constraints that will affect the project.
Design Process. The designers perform series of steps in designing the trade-off considering all constraints,
costs, and design standard.
Validation of Trade Offs. After knowing all concepts and principles of each of the trade off, all trade-offs will
be compared with each other and be assessed by the constraints. This will be done using the raw ranking
analysis by Otto and Antonsson based on its efficiency and effectiveness.
Final Design and Recommendation. The final design is based on the most efficient and effective outcome
analysed by the designers. The final result will be recommended in order to improve its consideration through
the given constraints.
Chapter 2 DESIGN CRITERIA
2.1 Preliminary Data
For the designers to have an overview of their study, an on-site inspection and data gathering was
conducted.
The designers conducted a supplementary one day survey on the area and assessed the traffic situation
during rush hour in Congressional Avenue and Mindanao Avenue Intersection. That designer was able to
saw the wrong practices of public vehicles in loading and unloading of passengers, undeciplinary illegal
parking of cars on the private establishment and government establishment, and the actual volume of
vehicles both public and private.
The designers were also able to have an encounter with DoTr personnel Engr. Lemar Jimenez a former
OIC in Traffic Management and Senior Transportation development officer, cited some traffic engineering
methods, like engineering infrastructure interventions and government agencies that can be our source of
information data. The group had also evaluated that the congestion occurs at the intersection. As shown in
Figure 2.2. The massive volume of vehicle from northern part of Quezon City contributed major build up in
the vicinity as commuter’s traverse into business district of Metro Manila.

Figure 2.1 Mindanao Avenue – Congressional Avenue Intersection

Figure 2.2 Overhead view in Traffic Situation at Mindanao Avenue

The group had also evaluated that the congestion occurs at the intersection. As shown in Figure 2.2. the
massive volume of vehicle from northern part of Quezon City contributed major build up in the vicinity as
commuter’s traverse into business district of Metro Manila.

2.2 Design Inputs

To be able to create a new traffic management scheme along Congressional –Mindanao Avenue
Intersection that will serve convenient to public commuter and motorist and the following data are
gathered to serve as the design basis.
The project envisions to obtain increasing travel speed by addressing the needs of the motorist in the
intersection by managing and implement various policies, program and new project which many
commuters will benefit. The design will be fully met and obtained through the help of following design
inputs.

2.2.1 Traffic Volume Report

The number of vehicles crossing in a section of the road prior to the unit time at any period.
The following data are gathered at Metropolitan Manila Development Authority:

Traffic Volume
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
12:00MN

4:00PM
12:00NN

5:00PM

7:00PM

11:00PM
8:00AM
3:00AM
4:00AM
5:00AM

9:00AM
10:00AM
11:00AM

8:00 PM
1:00PM
2:00PM
3:00PM

6:00PM

9:00PM
10:00PM
1:00AM
2:00AM

6:00AM
7:00AM

Figure 2.3: Traffic volume per unit time

As shown in Figure 2.3 that during its peak in just a matter of hour it can reach up to 3,000 from
just 800 volume of vehicle before rush hour.

2.4 Road Crash Report

The increased in severity of accidents in collision of vehicles which often result in injury, death, and
a property damage. In 2017 stated that out of 180 accidents 2 of them are occurred fatalities.
 Table 2.1
Classification by Month per case basis (2017)

Month Damage of Fatal Non – Fatal Injury Grand total

Property
January 9 1 10
February 15 15
March 23 3 26
April 15 1 16
May 13 13
June 20 1 21
July 21 3 24
August 14 1 15
September 16 16
October 5 4 9
November 9 2 11
December 3 1 4
Grand Total 163 2 15 180

Table 2.3
Classification by Time of Day (2017)

Time Hour Damage per Fatal Non-fatal injury Grand total

Property lasers
00:00-00:59 6 6
1:00-01:59 5 5
2:00-2:59 4 1 5
3:00-3:59 2 1 3
4:00-4:59 3 1 4
5:00-5:59 2 1 3
6:00-6:59 7 1 1 9
7:00-7:59 6 6
8:00-8:59 10 10
9:00-9:59 8 8
10:00-10:59 14 1 15
11:00-11:59 16 16
12:00-12:59 9 1 10
1:00-1:59 13 2 15
2:00-2:59 7 7
3:00-3:59 6 6
4:00-4:59 3 1 1 5
5:00-5:59 8 8
 6:00-6:59 9 9
7:00-7:59 7 1 8
8:00-8:59 4 2 6
9:00-9:59 4 1 5
10:00-10:59 7 7
11:00-11:59 3 1 4
Grand Total 163 2 15 180

Table 2.4: Collision types (2017)

Collision type Damage to Fatal Non – Fatal Grand Total

Property Injury
Angle impact 1 1
Hit and Run 12 1 13
Hit and Run 1 1
(Pedestrian)
Hit Pedestrian 1 1
Multiple Collision 6 1 7
No Collision 65 1 7 73
Stated
Rear End 38 3 41
Self Accident 1 1
Side swipe 41 1 42
Grand Total 163 2 15 180

2.4 Lane Desgination

Proper lane and fixed assignment of the vehicle at the intersection must be observed depending on
your direction to increase the travel speed and mitigate traffic delay especially during peak hour.

Figure 2.4: Overhead View Approach to a Intersection

2.5 Road Widening
Road-widening projects is also considered to help improve local infrastructure and contribute to the
continued growth of the city which is good for the public commuters. Worsening traffic can be
blame in poor infrastructure in Metro Manila. Road widening project enhance the capacity and
queuing of vehicles in the road and making transport of people and goods more efficient
According to Business Mirror, provided that in 2016 a total of 11.2 million motor vehicles were
registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), of which 2.5 million (28.7 percent) were in the
National Capital Region (NCR) and 8.7 million (71.27 percent) were in other parts of the country.
Also quoted that The number of motor vehicles plying Metro Manila’s roads continues to increase,
but the road network in the metropolis has hardly increased. According to some estimates, the
NCR’s road network of 4,755 kilometers should be doubled to accommodate the vehicle population

Figure 2.5: Road Widening Project by DPWH

2.6 Fly-over
High traffic congestion in terms of vehicle passing where in such case flyover is indispensable. A
grade separated structure connects road at different levels for the purpose of reducing vehicle
congestion.
Flyovers may reduce the conflict between traffic incoming from different directions at an
intersection or a junction. By the flyover it will separate or displacing the traffic in two or more axes
to different elevations of transport. It can reduce the traffic congestion, it can save more time, it can
save fuel and especially it can help our country in terms of economy.
According to National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director-General Ernesto
Pernia, meanwhile, In 2018 there are about 34 infrastructure projects to improve transport
networks and ease traffic congestion in the Philippines, including the metro.
 Figure 2.6: Existing Fly-Over in Metro Manila

2.7 Maximum Allowable Speed

A road speed limit is the limit of speed allowed by law for road vehicles, usually the maximum
speed allowed. Occasionally, there is a minimum speed limit.
According Official Gazette of the Philippines, Speed Limits Uniform Throughout the Philippines. No
provincial, city or municipal authority shall enact or enforce any ordinance or resolution specifying
maximum allowable speeds other than those provided in this Act.

Figure 2.7: Maximum Allowable Speed

Chapter 3 DESIGN CONSTRAINTS, TRADEOFFS, AND STANDARDS

3.1 Design Constraints

Design Constraints is one of the important factor to be consider in designing a project and also serve as a
basis of conditions and limitations that need to do for a project to be efficient, cost wise and effective. Design
Constraints have different group and categories which it can be in a material, system, management, functions
or technologies.
The following are the constraints that are to be considered in the designing of new traffic
management scheme along Mindanao Avenue – Congressional Avenue Intersection.
3.2 Quantitative Constraints

3.2.1 Economic Constraint

The budget of a certain project, concerning the total cost of equipment, materials, and labor cost,
has been a common problem to all construction projects in general. The client and the researchers
always met halfway to the projection of having a economical project, allotting to all possible
expenses to the project, without compromising its structural integrity as a structure. The availability
of the materials will be also considered
3.2.2 Sustainability (Life Span)
Sustainability is also one of the most important factor as a designer seeks in constructing where it
will calculate the effectivity of the trade-offs through the span of years. For this constraint, the
projected life span of the trade-offs will be considered
3.2.3. Constructability Constraint
One of the vital factors that highly consider to the costs of a project is the duration of the
construction. The construction duration is significant since there was a time span that the project
must be done, this exclude unwanted delays and the suspension of work due to weather conditions
or unexpected events during the construction. The design that would only consume a short span of
time will be the most effective trade-off to be used. It means, the shorter the span of time of
construction, the more sustainability will be effective and successful.
3.3 Qualitative Constraints
3.3.1 Risk Assessment
The anticipation of the potential risks that might be happen to a pending or ongoing project which
involve the workers in the project location Efficient safety will be ensure because safety is and
always should be first priority for everyone involved in the project
3.4 Design Trade-offs
To address these different constraints, the researchers came up with three different ways as their
trade-offs that best suits to the project location, Flyover (High level road bridge), Traffic Management
Scheme and Road Widening. The most effective and efficient design that will satisfy the multiple
constraints will be choose.

3.4.1 Flyover (High level road bridge)

A high-level road bridge that crosses over a highway interchange or intersection. It will play
a major role in directing traffic, through flyover there is a lot of time will be saved avoiding traffic
congestion and also help in traffic control system in the vicinity.

Figure 3.1 EDSA Fly over

Benefits of a Fly over
Junction creating conflicts between the different streams of traffic and it’s require special treatment.
The following are the advantages of having a fly over
 Lessened the traffic jam
 People can go to distant places without trouble
 Help to stream line the traffic control system
 Reduced horizontal curvature
 Reduces of off-road crashes

3.4.2 Traffic Management Scheme

Traffic Management Scheme it concerns the planning, control, and purchasing of transport
services that they needed have physical movement.
Benefits of a Traffic Scheme
The following are the major advantages of having a traffic scheme these are:
 Improved Journey time
 Improved the quality of air from reducing air pollution causes by slow-moving traffic.
 It reduced public delay transportation
 Traffic control speed

Figure 3.2 Traffic Management Scheme

3.4.3 Road Widening
Road widening helps to improve local infrastructure and also to continue the growth of the city also
it can improve traffic safety and capacity. According to McBrides (2013) he explained on how the
environment affects the project of road widening. While the project is on going some trees will be
cutoff unnecessarily. McBrides also explained on how to conduct road widening project without
damaging the environment such as cutting of trees by using the correct and advanced technology.
On the other hand Road widening doesn’t solve the traffic congestion there are some cases that it
also may affect the commuters. Yet some of the officials push this project.
Benefits of Road Widening
There are reasons why road widening is one of our 3 trade offs that will undergo in multiple constraints
 Improved traffic Flow
 Improved vehicle capacity
 Figure 3.3 NLex Road Widening