AUTHOR/S: Glenda B. Minguito, Maria Theresa M. Espino
DATE COMPLETED:
KEYWORDS: Traffic Management, School, Simulation, Survey
ABSTRACT
Traffic congestion is inevitable especially in developing cities like Davao City. The increasing population and improving economic activities may have caused it. Though, this may sound good; it gives a pressing concern that is counterproductive to the day to day activities of the public. It is evident, especially when both drivers and commuters experience slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queuing.
The public has seen the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) Matina campus as one of the major contributors of worsening traffic conditions, especially during the morning rush on the way to downtown as AdDU students arrive through different modes of transportations (private cars, PUJs, PUVs, and motorcycles).
The main objective of this research is to develop a more efficient traffic management system within the school’s vicinity. It strives to determine the significant factors that contribute to traffic congestion, assess the present traffic condition and propose alternative improvement options.
Survey, Interview, Simulation and Queuing were conducted in the study. A sample size of 576 respondents for Survey and Interview method was determined using Slovin’s formula. The survey aims to determine the perception and behavior of the respondents. The field observation strives to know the actual scenario and significant causes on traffic congestion.
The data from the survey reveals the following: (a) Majority of students in the campus take private/personal cars in going to school; (b) Among those taking public transportation, it showed that majority uses the taxi; (c) Among those who are taking private/personal cars, 74% of which are brought to school on a daily basis; (d) Averagely, between 1 to 2 children are brought to school every day in each vehicle; (e) For all modes of transportation, the most common drop-off time and pick-up time are 7:00-7:30am and 5pm onwards, respectively; (f) Majority drops and picks their kids at Gate 2A and Gate 3; (g) For all modes of transportation, the most common routes used to go to school are McArthur Highway and Acacia street.
The field observation and simulation presents other factors that had affected the congested traffic. These are temporary Parking, dropping in the middle of the street, long dropping time, inappropriate crossing and walking and poor signage influenced the traffic congestion.
Some of the recommendations to resolve the problem were to provide clear drop off and pick-up lanes, to limit loading and unloading time, to designate carpool drop-off time and location, to provide pedestrian lanes, to implement temporary one-way streets and to provide parking on site.
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