Research Paper

WESTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

ZAMBOANGA CITY

TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN CANELAR INTERSECTION OF ZAMBOANGA CITY PROPER

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement in Engineering Research

Submitted by:
HAMSAIN, MOHAMMAD
LUSPO, LURIEZA
PABAYOS, LAKAMBINI
RADOC, RUBY ANN
TRUMATA, RALPH ALFRED
Students

Submitted to:
ENGR. RAMON VELASCO
Professor

CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

One of the major problems Zamboanga City Proper is traffic congestion. Traffic
on roads, is define as the movement of vehicles, pedestrians, ridden or herded animals,
transportation of goods for the purpose of trade, and other conveyances in an area,
either singly or together, while using the public way for purposes of travel. Traffic
congestion is a condition on road networks that occurs as use increases, and is
characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased number of vehicles.
Due to traffic congestion, a volume of traffic 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.
Traffic congestion can have a number of effects on drivers, the environment,
health and the economy. Pollution, as one of the most harmful effects of traffic
congestion is its impact on the environment. Despite the growing number of hybrid
vehicles on the road, cars stopped in traffic still produce a large volume of harmful
carbon emissions. Besides contributing to global warming, these emissions can cause
more short-term and localized problems, such as smog and increased respiratory
problems in a community due to poor air quality.
Economic Impact, another effect of traffic congestion where drivers who
encounter unexpected traffic may be late for work or other appointments, causing a loss
in productivity for businesses and in the drivers' personal lives. Traffic delays may also
slow down the shipping of cargo if delivery trucks can't remain on schedule due to a
congested route.
Drivers who know that traffic congestion is likely may decide to forgo an activity
altogether, leading to less consumer spending and lower event attendance. In
accordance with the effects of traffic congestion, solutions are being suggested. Road
widening, adequate parking space facilities, reduced on-street parking, and good traffic
signs and markings are proposed solutions to reduce traffic congestion.

Statement of the Problem
The Zamboanga City Proper particularly Canelar intersection is facing a major
problem in traffic congestion. During the peak hour of the day, in between 7am to 9am
and in between 5pm to 7pm, people could hardly meet the day to day activities because
of uneasy flow of transportation.
Objectives of the Study
This proposed study aims:
To reduce traffic congestion in Canelar intersection.
To measure traffic saturation within the intersection.
To determine the causes and effects of traffic congestion in the specified area.
To find possible solutions to traffic congestion within the vicinity.

Significance of the Study
This study will be beneficial to the following:
1. Drivers - This will help them provide fast and better earnings on their livelihood.
2. Passengers - This will enable them to have an accessible and safe transportation in
going to their destination.
3. Businessmen - This will help them to do their business easily within the area without
worrying the delay on business trips and travels.
4. Land Transportation Office/Traffic Enforcers - This will provide them a solution to
easily enforce their regulations.
5. City Government - This will help them increase the economic growth of the city.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study
This proposed study delimited to the following:
1. The traffic congestion observed is particularly in the area of Canelar intersection at
Zamboanga City Proper.
2. The data gathered is during the peak hour of the day between seven (7) to nine (9) in
the morning and five(5) to seven(7) in the afternoon.
3. The traffic count conducted is a 2-hour traffic observation with a 15-minute time
interval.
4. The traffic flow parameters concerned are traffic flow rate, traffic concentration and
vehicle speed.

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND RELATED STUDIES
This chapter consists of the review of related literature and related studies
providing concepts and ideas of authorities that will support the proposed study.

RELATED LITERATURE
(Dr Susan Grant-Muller and Mr. James Laird, ITS, University of Leeds) posts
that road congestion is seen as having increasing impacts on travelers, the environment
and economy as a whole, but there is little evidence on what the full costs of congestion
are. This research has involved an international literature review on the costs of road
traffic congestion. Firstly, congestion in Scotland was summarized based upon analysis
of the Scottish Household Survey data. Congestion is widely understood but rarely
defined, so a summary was made of different definitions of congestion and how it has
been measured. The main focus was to report on the different methods used to
measure the costs of congestion.
(Jonathan I. Levy, Jonathan J. Buonocore, & Katherine von Stackelberg,
September, 1965) posts that traffic congestion is a significant issue in virtually every
urban area around the world. Anyone who spends any time commuting knows that the
time and fuel wasted while sitting in traffic can not only be annoying, but can lead to real
economic costs. An examination of the peer-reviewed literature shows that there are
many previous analyses that estimate the economic costs of congestion based on fuel
and time wasted, but that these studies dont include the costs of the potential public
health impacts. Sitting in traffic leads to higher tailpipe emissions which everyone is
exposed to, and the economic costs of those exposures have not been explored.

RELATED STUDIES
(Shakun D. Mago, University of Richmond,Laura Razzolini, Virginia
Commonwealth University, January, 2010) states that a model of road congestion
considers average cost pricing. Travel cost on the road is increasing in the number of
commuters. We examine how changes to road capacity, number of commuters, and
metro pricing scheme influence the commuters route-choice behavior.
According to the Downs-Thomson paradox, improved road capacity increases
travel times along both routes because it attracts more users to the road. Change in
route design resulting coordination problem is amplified even further when the number
of commuters is large. We find that, similar to other binary choice experiments with
congestion effects, the aggregate traffic flows are close to the equilibrium levels, but
systematic individual differences persist over time.

(Brian D. Taylor, University of California) states that traffic congestion and
cities, it seems, go hand in hand. Everyone complains about being stuck in traffic; but,
like the weather, no one seems to do anything about it. In particular, traffic engineers,
transportation planners, and public officials responsible for metropolitan transportation
systems are frequently criticized for failing to make a dent in congestion.
But is traffic congestion a sign of failure? Long queues at restaurants or theater
box offices are seen as signs of success. Should transportation systems be viewed any
differently? I think we should recognize that traffic congestion is an inevitable by-product
of vibrant, successful cities, and view the congestion problem in a different light.
Conventional wisdom holds that traffic congestion exacts a terrible social and economic
toll on society; expanding transportation capacity only makes things worse; and
redesigning cities and expanding alternative transportation modes offer the best long-
term means for reducing traffic congestion. I want to offer ten propositions that
challenge these ideas and suggest how we might begin to think differently about traffic
congestion.

CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter consists of methods, parameters and procedures which help
conduct observation to the proposed study.

Traffic Flow Parameters
The following are traffic flow parameters used to gather data:

Flow Rate (q)
Flow rate is the number of vehicles counted divided by the elapsed time.
q = N/T
where q is the value of flow rate in vehicle per hour or vehicle per minute; N is the
number of vehicles and T is the elapsed time.
Based on the data gathered, the maximum number of vehicles during a 15-
minute interval is 473 vehicles. The maximum flow rate is 31.53 vehicles per minute.
The total number of vehicles within a 2-hour interval is 8380. The maximum flow rate in
vehicles per hour is 4190.
Traffic Concentration
Traffic concentration or traffic density is the flow rate along a distance or over
time. The first is a measure of concentration over space and the second is a measure of
concentration over time.
k = q/u

where k is the traffic concentration, q is the flow rate and u is the length of
concentration.
On the actual data, the length of concentration is 40 meters. The time of
concentration of one vehicle over a 40-meter span is 6 minutes. The maximum flow rate
in vehicles per hour is 4190. As calculated, the measure of concentration per length is
104.75 vehicles per meter per hour and the measure of concentration per time of
concentration is 11.64 vehicles per hour.

Vehicle Speed

The vehicle speed is the measure of the length of concentration over time.
s = d/T
where s is the amount of vehicles speed in meter per hour, d is the length of
concentration and T is the elapsed time within a particular length.
On the actual data, the length of concentration is 40 meters and the elapsed time
is 6 minutes. As computed, the vehicles speed is 6.67 meter per minute or 0.11 meter
per second.

Traffic Control
Traffic Control, procedures, devices, and communication systems that help
vehicles to safely share the same roads. Traffic control establishes a set of rules and
instructions that drivers, rely on to avoid collisions. Safe travel for pedestrians is an
additional goal in highway traffic control. Traffic control systems include signs, lights and
other devices that communicate specific directions, warnings, or requirements. Traffic
control on the highways is an important aspect of daily life.
Traffic control systems include laws and procedures, electronic and physical
devices such as markers, signs and signals, and people such as vehicle operators and
traffic controllers. The system varies depending on its location and the type of
transportation it controls. For example, cities have complex traffic control systems
compared to small towns.

Highway Traffic Control
Motorists depend on traffic control devices to avoid collisions and travel safely to
their destinations. Traffic control devices for highway travel include signs, signal lights,
pavement markings, and a variety of devices placed on, over, near, or even under, the
roadway.
1. Traffic Signs
Traffic signs are the most extensively used form of traffic control. They provide
information about speed limits and road conditions. They direct traffic along certain
routes and to specific destinations. By using signs, traffic control planners tell drivers
what to do, what to watch for, and where to drive.
2. Pavement Markings
Pavement markings separate opposing streams of traffic and direct vehicles into
proper positions on the roadway. For example, pavement markings delineate turn lanes
at intersections and establish no-passing zones. White and yellow paint is customarily
used for pavement markings. Reflective devices are more visible at night and are used
in some locations to mark lanes and other significant places on the road.

3. Traffic Signals
The signal light is probably the most easily recognized traffic control device. At a
busy intersection in a large city, a traffic signal may control the movements of more than
100,000 vehicles per day. More than 60 percent of all miles driven each year are on
roadways controlled by traffic signals.
4. Priority Control
In one of the oldest methods of traffic control, one form of transportation is given
priority by restricting or banning other forms of transportation. Bus lanes and high-
occupancy vehicle lanes exist in many urban areas. Only specified types of vehicles
primarily those carrying several occupants can use these lanes. By giving priority to
high-occupancy vehicles, transportation planners encourage carpooling and reduce
congestion.
5. Restraints
As an alternative to banning traffic, traffic control planners use devices to
discourage heavy use of a route. Islands built in the centers of intersections force
drivers to proceed slowly. Speed bumps discourage high-speed commuting through
residential neighborhoods. Concrete median strips prevent vehicles from making turns
except at intersections.

Actual Data on Traffic Count:

MAYOR JALDON AVENUE
TRIAL 1
3-minute interval 15-minute interval
62

405 vehicles
71
51
61
63
72
25
Max: 72 vehicles

TRIAL 2

68

473 vehicles
43
59
82
64
100
57
Max: 100 vehicles

TRIAL 3

55

304 vehicles
24
68
51
38
56
12
Max: 68 vehicles

TRIAL 4

56

337 vehicles
61
47
54
56
25
38
Max: 61 vehicles

TRIAL 5

54

353 Vehicles
62
44
53
55
63
22
Max: 63 vehicles

TRIAL 6

59

413 vehicles
37
51
71
56
87
52
Max: 87 vehicles

TRIAL 7

48

263 vehicles
21
59
44
33
49
9
Max: 59 vehicles

TRIAL 8
49

297 vehicles
53
41
47
52
22
33
Max: 53 vehicles

MAYOR JALDON STREET
TRIAL 1
72

439 vehicles
85
101
30
36
54
61
Max: 101 vehicles

TRIAL 2

36

153 vehicles
20
19
13
26
18
21
Max: 36 vehicles

TRIAL 3

52

186 vehicles
38
15
18
13
31
19
Max: 52 vehicles
TRIAL 4

17

121 vehicles
14
16
19
22
15
18
Max: 22 vehicles

TRIAL 5

63

385 Vehicles
74
88
26
34
47
53
Max: 88 vehicles

TRIAL 6

31

131 vehicles
17
15
11
23
18
16
Max: 31 vehicles

TRIAL 7

45

159 vehicles
33
11
15
12
27
16
Max: 45 vehicles

TRIAL 8
15

106 vehicles
14
12
17
19
13
16
Max: 19 vehicles

GOV. ALVAREZ STREET
TRIAL 1
31

197 vehicles
35
15
28
21
30
37
Max: 37 vehicles

TRIAL 2

16

192 vehicles
39
31
23
28
22
33
Max: 39 vehicles

TRIAL 3

17

136 vehicles
36
18
15
13
21
16
Max: 36 vehicles
TRIAL 4

37

179 vehicles
32
28
30
17
21
14
Max: 32 vehicles

TRIAL 5

27

170 Vehicles
30
13
24
18
26
32
Max: 32 vehicles

TRIAL 6

14

167 vehicles
34
27
20
24
19
29
Max: 34 vehicles

TRIAL 7

15

128 vehicles
31
16
13
11
18
24
Max: 31 vehicles

TRIAL 8
32

155 vehicles
28
24
26
15
18
12
Max: 32 vehicles

BUENAVISTA STREET
TRIAL 1
75

453 vehicles
81
61
53
68
55
60
Max: 81 vehicles

TRIAL 2
52

267 vehicles
51
36
25
41
48
44
Max: 52 vehicles

TRIAL 3
61

312 vehicles
40
43
38
45
33
52
Max: 61 vehicles

TRIAL 4
43

315 vehicles
49
40
50
45
42
46
Max: 50 vehicles

TRIAL 5
65

389 vehicles
72
53
46
59
42
52
Max: 72 vehicles

TRIAL 6
45

255 vehicles
44
31
21
35
41
38
Max: 45 vehicles

TRIAL 7
53

269 vehicles
34
37
33
39
28
45
Max: 53 vehicles

TRIAL 8
37

271 vehicles
42
34
43
39
36
40
Max: 43 vehicles

APPENDIX A

The Public Health Costs of Traffic Congestion

Motor vehicle emissions contain pollutants that contribute to outdoor air pollution.
One in particular, fine particulate matter (referred to as PM2.5) is strongly influenced by
motor vehicle emissions. Studies that evaluate the sources of PM2.5 in our environment
find that vehicles contribute up to one-third of observed PM2.5 in urban areas. PM2.5
has been associated with premature deaths in many studies, and health impact
assessments have shown PM2.5-related damages on the order of hundreds of billions
of dollars per year. Recently, an expert committee convened by the Health Effects
Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, summarized the available evidence on exposure to
traffic-generated air pollution and negative health effects. They find strong evidence for
a causative role for traffic related air pollution and premature death, particularly from
heart attacks and strokes.

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

Is a advanced electronics, communications, and computer systems that increase
the efficiency and safety of highway transportation. Originally known as Intelligent
Vehicle/Highway Systems (IVHS), these technologies can provide real-time information
exchange between drivers and the roads, giving rise to the terms smart cars and smart
highways. As the technologies have expanded to include public transportation and
commercial vehicles, this range of technologies has become known as the Intelligent
Transportation System. Increasingly, drivers will have access to up-to-the-minute
information on traffic conditions, alternate routes, and directions to unfamiliar
destinations. Ultimately, vehicle control may be automated.

APPENDIX B

Automobiles

Self-propelled vehicle used primarily on public roads but adaptable to other
surfaces. Automobiles changed the world during the 20th century, particularly in the
United States and other industrialized nations. From the growth of suburbs to the
development of elaborate road and highway systems, the so-called horseless carriage
has forever altered the modern landscape. The manufacture, sale, and servicing of
automobiles have become key elements of industrial economies. But along with greater
mobility and job creation, the automobile has brought noise and air pollution, and
automobile accidents rank among the leading causes of death and injury throughout the
world. But for better or worse, the 1900s can be called the Age of the Automobile and
cars will no doubt continue to shape our culture and economy well into the 21st century.
Keeping Your Car Going
Your car or truck is likely to be the second biggest item in your budget, after your
home. You probably need it to drive to work or even to do your work. If it's not running,
you have a real problem. A car or truck today may contain 10,000 mechanical parts and
40 on-board computers, all vulnerable to dirt, grease, salt, rust, corrosion, friction, and
shock. The good news is You can make your car run reliably and last for years and
years without spending a lot of money. Good sense and forethought can save you
money.

APPENDIX C
Survey Tool:
Dear Respondents:
We are Civil Engineering students of Western Mindanao State University,
Zamboanga City undertaking a research study entitled "traffic Congestion in Canelar
Intersection, Zamboanga City".
In this connection we would like to solicit your cooperation to be one of the
respondents in the above mentioned research study. Respondents will exclusively be
utilized for academic purpose only.
Your utmost support and cooperation will make this research possible therefore
will be highly appreciated.
Thank you so much and God Bless.
Sincerely,
The Researchers

Instructions: please check the space corresponding to the number of your choice:
Code:
1 - Heavy 2 - Moderately heavy 3 - So Heavy 4 - Yes 5 - No

A. The Condition of Traffic in Canelar Intersection 1 2 3 4 5
1. What level of traffic do you think you're experiencing during
peak hours?

2. Do the traffic enforcer assigned there help alleviate the traffic
condition in the said area?

3. Do you have trouble picking up passengers due to the traffic
congestion happening almost every day?

4. Is traffic affecting the income of PUJ drivers?

IV. Schedule of Activities

Table 1

Table 2
October November December January February March
A. Presentation
Of Proposal

B. Presentation
Of Results

C. Submission of
Proposal

October November December January February March
Data Gathering
A. Traffic Count
B. Interviews and
Questionnaires

C. Books and Internet
Search

V. Reference

Bounocore J , Levy J , Stackelberg K,(1965), Public health Risk Assessment
J ackson M, (1998),Car Smarts, How to keep your car going
Laird J , Muller S, ITS, University of Leeds
Mago S, Razzolini L, (2010), University of Richmond and University of Virginia
Commonwealth
Microsoft Student Premium Encarta, Traffic Control, Retrieved March 2013
Taylor Brian, Traffic Congestion going hand in hand, University of California
www.google.com, TCC Harvard Traffic Congestion, Retrieved February 2013
www.google.com, Traffic Updates and Reports, Retrieved March 2013

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WESTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

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