CHANNELIZATION

Members:
Jumaquio, Jizelle D.L
Mata, Israel B.
Salvador, Mauro Jr. L.

PROBLEMATIC INTERSECTION: Balagtas Intersection near Robinsons Supermarket, Balagtas, Bulacan

VICINITY MAPS OF THE PROBLEMATIC INTERSECTION:

DESCRIPTION OF THE TRAFFIC SITUATION:

First and foremost, we will begin the description with specifying the type of road we are dealing
with. The problematic intersection in Balagtas is formed when two opposing streams (the two-lane road
from Pandi, and then the one-way road across it) connected with the four-lane roadway which caters
traffic coming from and going to Malolos and Bocaue. This roadway allows all types of vehicles, from
trucks to jeepneys and tricycles.

Being a four-lane highway, the roadway is spacious and is designed for large traffic volume.
However, with traffic streams connecting to it from both sides of the road, specifically the intersection
formed by the 2-lane roadway from Pandi and the minor 1-way roadway across it, traffic situations
where huge area of conflict arises. The traffic passing the 4-lane roadway converges with the traffic
passing the 2-way Pandi Roadway and the 1-way minor roadway, and creates a huge area of conflict on
the road.

The huge area of conflict is caused by the fact the vehicles going from the Pandi Roadway have a
huge space to utilize when merging with the traffic of the main roadway. The same situation applies to
the traffic coming from the 1-way minor road. And this problem also arises when traffic from the main
roadway turns to the Pandi roadway, or even if it vehicles just joins the opposing lanes. Because the
intersection or the area around the intersection is not channelized, the vehicles tend to just cross, turn,
and maneuver along the road in whatever path they find free.

Therefore our channelization plan involves the designing of a solution which will reduce the
area of conflict, prevent prohibited turns, and thus provide protection to turning vehicles and conflicting
traffic streams.

To further visualize the traffic situation of the problematic intersection, a sketch has been
provided below:
SOLUTION (CHANNELIZATION PLAN):
To solve the problems mentioned above, we have decided to propose the construction of
channelizing devices on the middle of the four-lane roadway, just before the intersection. To be specific,
we propose the construction of wide raised medians, which will lessen the conflict area on and around
the intersection, because the presence of medians will make the intersection channelized. The medians
will limit the space that the vehicles can use when making turns and merging with other traffic streams.

After minimizing the conflict area, the space between medians, which is directly on the
intersection and is on the middle of the highway, will provide a refuge for crossing vehicles while waiting
for a safe gap to pass one stream. Directly beside one median is a traffic light, so that traffic streams will
not converge on the intersection at the same time. There is also a traffic light on the side of the road to
regulate the traffic coming from the roads connecting to the main highway. Therefore the plan will
reduce the area of conflict, provide safety, allow space for traffic control devices, and segregate non-
homogenous flow at the same time. To further visualize the solution, a sketch has been provided below: