MMTN
Executive Summary
The ongoing construction of major transport infrastructure projects in Metro Manila could provide some relief to the current traffic congestion being experienced such as the NLEX-SLEX connector, C-6 expressway, the Metro Manila subway, the MRT7 rail system, LRT1 extension, LRT2 extension, among others. The ongoing public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program of the national government is another laudable solution that could address the poor state of public transport in Metro Manila today. When all these transport projects and programs are in place, we may be able to experience some relief in traffic congestion. However, with increasing vehicular traffic, the impact of road infrastructure projects may only be a short-lived solution to the transport congestion problem of Metro Manila. This is the reason why more mass transit system should be constructed to discourage people during their regular travel to work and to school to use their personal car and encourage them to use public transport service.
This transportation network model developed for Metro Manila can be used as a tool to assess and identify the best transport projects and programs that can provide long term solution to the traffic congestion problems of Metro Manila. Future transport infrastructure plans and traffic management schemes can easily be modeled once the transport network model of Metro Manila has been properly calibrated to reflect the current traffic situation. Quantification of delay and travel cost could easily be conducted with the transportation network model properly established. In order to properly identify which of the several major transport infrastructure projects currently being planned can have major impact in solving the traffic congestion problem, two transport network database system were developed, one model can be used for macroscopic transport planning which can assess the metro-wide impact of propose transport infrastructure projects while another one can be used for the dynamic traffic simulation of the impact of either transport infrastructure projects or transport policies affecting urban travel in Metro Manila. In terms of transport infrastructure projects, mass transit system is the sure solution to the traffic congestion problem of Metro Manila for as long as a certain percentage of private car users would shift to the use of the mass transit system. A considerable amount of vehicle operating cost, travel time savings as well as emission cost savings can be derived when more people are using the mass transit system rather than using private vehicles. Furthermore, once the basic network of expressways could be completed that would cover the whole of Metro Manila connecting important facilities like the port, the airport, which is already accessible through the NAIA expressway, and major terminal facilities, transport projects should be more focus on providing efficient mass transport system to the whole of Metro Manila.
In summary, a more integrated approach of analysing and assessing traffic problems is needed and should start with a good database system of the baseline transportation network information and the trips and vehicles data that use the transport network of Metro Manila. Afterwards, ITS solutions could then be deployed to the whole of Mero Manila as a tool by management to effectively and consistently address its traffic congestion problem.
The Problem
The state of the transportation system of Metro Manila today is the result of misguided policies, poor transportation infrastructure implementation, and unfit institutional structures that span several decades coupled with bad driver behavior on its streets. Hence, it would be difficult to unravel, assess and find solutions to its ever-growing traffic congestion problem. It is also difficult to assess the effectiveness of palliative solutions (motorcycle lanes, P2P routes, modern PUV units, truck lanes, among others) by both local and national government agencies to address the traffic congestion problem of Metro Manila.
The Solution
The primary objective of this research is to develop a transportation network model for Metro Manila which can be used as a tool to assess and identify the best transport projects and programs that can provide long term solution to the traffic congestion problems of Metro Manila. Future transport infrastructure plans and traffic management schemes can easily be modeled once the transport network model of Metro Manila has been properly calibrated to reflect the current traffic situation. Quantification of delay and travel cost could easily be conducted with the transportation network model properly established. In order to properly identify which of the several major transport infrastructure projects currently being planned can have major impact in solving the traffic congestion problem, two transport network database system were developed, one model can be used for macroscopic transport planning which can assess the metro-wide impact of propose transport infrastructure projects while another one can be used for the dynamic traffic simulation of the impact of either transport infrastructure projects or transport policies affecting urban travel in Metro Manila. Mass transit system is the sure solution to the traffic congestion problem of Metro Manila for as long as a certain percentage of private car users would shift to the use of the mass transit system. A considerable amount of vehicle operating cost, travel time savings as well as emission cost savings can be derived when more people are using the mass transit system rather than using private vehicles. Furthermore, once the basic network of expressways could be completed that would cover the whole of Metro Manila connecting important facilities like the port, the airport, which is already accessible through the NAIA expressway, and major terminal facilities, transport projects should be more focus on providing efficient mass transport system to the whole of Metro Manila.
Competitive Advantage
The transportation network database developed for Metro Manila is a complete and comprehensive network model both in static and dynamic state which can be used for both future transportation planning and day-to-day traffic system management of Metro Manila’s streets. The transportation network has been calibrated and can provide satisfactory modeling results that can be used by decision makers.
Target Market
The following are the target markets:
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National government agencies involved in the planning of Metro Manila’s transportation network including the DPWH and DOTr. The Sustainable Transport Mobility laboratory at DLSU can also serve as third-party consultants to assess transport projects being done in these offices.
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MMDA can used the results in their day to day traffic management of Metro Manila’s streets.
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Private firms involve in the construction of high impact transportation infrastructure projects in Metro Manila can use the database and modeling results in their analysis of the urban travel impact of the transport projects they are undertaking.
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Faculty and students involved in transportation research in Metro Manila can use our database as well as research findings for their use.
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