TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MODULE

CHAPTER 3
TRAFFIC ENGINEERING

Objectives:
• Develop understanding of Traffic Engineering.
• Objectives of Traffic Engineering.

Forecasting future traffic demand and evaluating the magnitude of street hazards
through traffic engineering is not as simple as measuring the height, length, and width of
the cube Traffic engineering must know all. Foresee all and forestall all effects whether
natural or man-made calamities. A formula that will dance to the time of new technology,
a new horizon, and new vistas to open the Mood gates of traffic engineering in
contemporary times

FUNCTIONS OF TRAFFIC ENGINEERING:

1. Fact-finding survey and recommendation of Traffic rules and regulations.

2. Supervision and maintenance of the application of traffic control devices.
3. Planning of traffic regulations.

OBJECTIVES OF TRAFFIC ENGINEERING:

1. To achieve the efficient, free, and rapid flow of traffic

2. To prevent traffic accident
3. To prevent the role of traffic engineering in reducing the needs for police action
and simplifying police performance.
4. To show that good police action and performance makes engineering plans
effective
5. To present the close relationship of the pillars of traffic management in the
improvement of traffic problems.

APPLICATION OF THE OBJECTIVES OF TRAFFIC ENGINEERING:

1. Habitually congested commercial areas:

2. Heavily traveled thoroughfares
3. Congested local areas and intersection

1
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MODULE

4. Special occasions of events

5. Disasters or emergencies
6. School crossing

METHODS IN ACHIEVING THE OBJECTIVES OF TRAFFIC ENGINEERING:

1. Planning and Geometric Design-Factor employed in planning:

a. Composition of traffic streams
b. Traffic volumes for capacity
c. Origins and destination
2. Factors influencing design:
a. Composition of traffic
b. Volume of traffic
c. Speed vehicle
d. The starting, turning, and stopping abilities of traffic
e. Performance values
3. Regulations and control-traffic regulations:
a. Base and confined within the boundaries of safety, public welfare, and
convenience
b. Limitation imposes on road users and their load:
c. Basic general rule of road use and conduct:
• Speed
• Overtaking
• Right of way
• Lateral placement
• Pedestrian right and duties
• General parking rule and regulations
d. Prohibition and restriction
• One-way regulation
• Speed control
• Curb parking control
• Turning regulation
• Stop rule and others

FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN ALLEVIATING TRAFFIC PROBLEMS:

1. Expressway, elevated on the surface (Interchanges)

2. Limited access roads (fenced and limited intersection)
3. Boulevards (minimum intersection and opening)
4. Primary roads

2
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MODULE

5. Secondary roads
6. Feeder roads
7. Bridges (river and railroads)
8. Over and underpasses (critical intersection)
9. Adequate shoulders
10. Curbing and sidewalks
11. Adequate drainage facilities
12. Center linings
• Left and right turn and through lanes properly marked
• Stop bars of sidewalks and intersection
• Pedestrian crosswalks
13. Pedestrian safety zones where needed,
14. Channelization of lanes where needed
15. Traffic signs
• Regulatory signs
• Warning signs
• Mandatory signs
• Informative signs
• Place identification signs
• Bus and Jeepney stop
16. Traffic Lights
• Synchronization of lights was needed on main arterial routes
• Pedestrian signals
• Proper timing of signals for traffic flow

Note: Refrain from using officers, to manually operate signals

1. Elimination of Obstructions:
• Squatters
• Vendors
• Debris and construction materials
• Trash and garbage
• Dwelling or construction of any kind
• Junk cars, goods, and commodities
• Business places and persons from using streets for personal
use.
2. Off-street parking facilities
• Financed through governmental or private resources

3
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MODULE

• Ordinances prohibiting construction of business places unless

they provide adequate parking for customers and employees

TRAFFIC CONTROL INCLUDES DEVICES AND AIDS

1. Elementary requirements:
• They should compel attention,
• They should convey a simple, closer meaning at a glance
• They should allow time for response
• They should command respect
2. Fundamental traits
• Design and outward aspect of the device
• Position or placement with respect to the normal line of vision of road users.
• Maintenance of the condition appearance and visibility
3. Types of traffic control devices and aids:
A. Traffic Signs - a device mounted or on portable support where a message is
conveyed by means of words or symbols, officially erected or installed for the
purpose of regulating warning and guiding traffic.
• Danger Warning Signs - intended to warn road user of a danger on the
road and to inform them of its nature
• Informative Signs - intended to guide road user while they are traveling or
to provide them with other useful information
• Place Identification Signs - it informs the availability of the sign displayed
• Regulatory Signs - intended to inform road users of special obligation,
instruction, or prohibitions to which they must comply.
B. Traffic Light and Pedestrian Signals - is defined as a signal operating manually
electrically by which traffic is alternatively commanded to stop or to proceed.
• Color Signal:
• Red - Means stop or no entry
• Yellow or Amber - Permit the driver to proceed into the intersection, but
requires that the intersections furthest crosswalk be cleared before the red
light appears
• Green - Means go proceed into the intersections and the green direct
movement in the direction indicated by arrow
• Traffic Phase - A portion of a signal cycle during which an assignment of right-of-
way is made. A part of the total time cycle allocated to any traffic movement
receiving the right of way or to any combination of traffic movement receiving the
right of way simultaneously during one or more intervals. The duration of intervals,

4
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MODULE

cycles, and phases are usually expressed in seconds. The total time required for
the complete sequences of phase is known as the cycle length
• Split Number of times allocated to each phase
• Signal Cycle - A complete sequence of signal indication of red, yellow, amber,
green, or any combination or any phase
• Signal Timing - Amount of time allocated to signal indication
• Cycle Time - Time period almost always expresses in second requires for one
complete sequence of one indication or the total time required for one signal.
• Signal Indication - One of the several divisions of time cycle during which signals
indication was not changed.
• Offset - Number of seconds or number of the cycle that the start of green interval
appears at a given traffic control signal after a certain instant use as a time.
• Interval - The time within which the traffic indication of any particular traffic signal
face does not change.

SATURATION FLOW:

It is a flow, which would be obtained if there is a continuous queue of vehicles and

are given a 100 percent green time. It is generally crossed vehicle per hour of green time
When the green commences. vehicles do not instantaneously move. It takes some period
of time to accelerate to normal conditions. This constant rate is called saturation flow.
When the signal head changes to yellow some vehicles slow down to stop while others
carry on Hence, green time is not fully utilized. There is lost time at the start of green to
acceleration and the end of green due to slowing or deceleration

SIGNAL SYSTEM:

This system is created when two or more signals on any traffic routes or roadway
are coordinated with a fixed time relationship among the several intervals. The need for
traffic signals at any particular location is evaluated in relation to several warrants or
criteria for signal volume such as

1. Minimum vehicular volume

2. Interruption of continuous traffic
3. Minimum pedestrian volume
4. School crossing
5. Progressive movement.
6. Accident experience
7. System
8. Combination of warrants

5
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MODULE

ADVANTAGES OF SIGNAL INSTALLATION:

1. Makes for the orderly movement of traffic

2. Reduce frequency or certain type of accident
3. Provide a means of interpreting heavy traffic.
4. Economy over manual control at the intersection.
5. Coordinated to provide for a continuous flow of traffic at a definite speed along
a given route.
6. Increase traffic handling capacity of the intersection

DISADVANTAGES OF SIGNAL INSTALLATION:

1. Increase total intersection delay (Off-peak period)

2. Probable increase of accident in certain types
3. Causes unnecessary delay (rear-end collision)
4. Use of less adequate routes may be induced in an attempt to avoid such signal

THE THREE PRIMARY AIMS OF SIGNAL CONTROL:

1. To reduce traffic conflicts and delays

2. To reduce accidents
3. To economize police time

The main advantage of signal control is the increase in intersection capacity. The
elimination of police control is almost always financially attractive. But the policeman has
a special advantage in dealing with turning vehicles in helping pedestrians and dealing
with jamming of the intersection.

APPROVED WARRANTS FOR A FIXED TIME TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION

• Minimum vehicular volume

• Interception of continuous traffic
• Minimum pedestrian volume.
• Coordinated traffic movement
• Traffic hazards

ROAD CLASSIFICATIONS:

1. According to political subdivision:

• National roads - The main road as conduit system with a right of way from
20 meters to 120 meters,

6
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MODULE

• Provincial roads - The linkages between two municipalities with right of way
from 15 meters to 60 meters
• City roads - The inter-link between municipalities and within the city proper
with right of way of 15 meters
• Municipal roads - All roads within the town proper with the right of way of
not less than 10 meters
• Barangay roads - Commonly called farm-to-market road with right of way
not less than 2 meters.
2. According to functions:
• Feeder road - Intended for farm-to-market traffic.
• Local collector road - Intended to collect traffic from feeder road to
municipal road.
• Major collector road - Intended as major arteries to collect inter-locality
traffic to the provincial road.
• Major highways - Serves as the main artery that caters to the big volume
of vehicular traffic on national Roadways.
• Expressway - A through traffic for free-flow of vehicular movement
• Tunnel road - A passage of a wide section cut through a hill or sea to
shorten circuitous roadway.
• Subway - An underground conduit running entirely under the ground for a
fast travel route of commuters.
• Skyway - A modern urban system of roadways above street level for free-
flow traffic.
3. According to topographical terrain:
• Flat road
• Zigzag road
• Steep-hill-road
• Down-hill-road
• Winding road
• Mountainous road
• Roller-coaster road

FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF ROADWAY

1. Where vehicles pass safely on:

• Climb lane
• Overtaking lane
• Acceleration lane
• Deceleration lane

7
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MODULE

• Thru traffic lane

• Turning lane
2. Where part of the roadway is used for:
• Standing lane
• Stopping lane
• Bus stop
3. Where a portion of the roadway is for:
• Turning lane
• Median lane
• Speed change lane
• Merging flow lane
• Contra-low lane
• Bus lane
• Bicycle lane

THE SIDEWALK:

It is an integral part of the roadway in any metropolis cities, municipalities, and it is

one of the species of geometric designs. The sidewalk is the answer to the safety of
pedestrians of any road hazards. For road accidents is a social stigma, in the twinkling of
an eye he is alive but in another twinkling of an eye, he is dead. Thus, sidewalk reduced
the hazards of the pedestrian to the slender yardstick of traffic engineering

THE INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD SIGNS

These international road signs were adopted at the 1968 United Nations
Convention on Road Signs and Signals of which the Philippines is a signatory. As
explained in the Convention the system of signs and signal which it has prescribed is
based on the use of shapes and colors

The characteristics of each class of signs, and whenever possible on the use of
graphic symbols rather than inscription with a few exceptions on of which is the STOP
sign of the United States.

It has been adopted very likely because it is understood practically by every

motorist regardless of nationalities.

8
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MODULE

SIGNS, SIGNALS, ROAD AND PAVEMENT MARKINGS

Thorough knowledge of traffic signs, signals, and road and pavement markings is
necessary for all drivers. Every motorist must be able to recognized and obey without
hesitation even without the presence of a traffic officer.

Signs, signals, and road and pavement markings are placed on our highways to
inform, warn and regulate drivers, they must always be obeyed, the violator will be
apprehending.

There are five basic shapes. Some mean only one thing, while others carry or
stating the law. The most familiar sign is the STOP sign It is red and white and it is eight-
sided. It is understood practically by every motorist regardless of nationality It means
motorist must come to a full stop and proceed only when it safe.

When you see the triangle red and black sign it is a warning to alert drivers to take
necessary precautions of the dangerous conditions ahead such as approaching signal
lights, men working, curves, hills, and slippery roadways When you see a round black
yellow sign it is a warning that you are approaching a railroad crossing Then we have the
red equilateral triangle signs, which is posted at an intersection directing every driver to
yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the roadway being entered

Pavement markings are important aids for safe driving, especially on highways.
The center lane tells you what part of the road should you stay and no-passing lanes
warning that you cannot see far enough Therefore you should not venture out of your lane
lest you crash with coming on vehicles. Never disregards or ignore traffic signs. You may
be able to escape the danger or the apprehension, once, twice, or even thrice and be
convinced that the signs are useless

But perhaps, the next time around, you would not as lucky on your crash Be a
smart driver, learn to obey the sign AT ALL TIME to stay away from accidents, you will
not be saving your life but the life of others.

As a driver on the road, we should also know the meaning of the other signs,
pavement and road marking and other regulatory devices. Observe all speed limits and
be ready always to adjust your speed conditions Extend every courtesy to other motorist
and pedestrian at all times when driving Courtesy and attention is not required by law but
they are probably the most important driving habits you can develop and should be
practiced whenever you drive a car.

9
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MODULE

PAVEMENT MARKINGS

The pavement of all main highways has certain markings to help you drive safely.
These include the center lanes, barrier lines, and directional arrows, depending on the
type of the highway and the needs for such markings to make the road safe under varying
traffic condition:

The knowledge of the purpose and use of each type of marking is important for
you to drive safely: Failure either intentionally or by ignorance to observe the lines can
prove disastrous

PAINTED CROSSWALK

A painted crosswalk on the pavement is placed at the intersection and other places
where there is considerable pedestrian's traffic to provide them with a safety zone when
crossing You must never stop your car partly or wholly within a crosswalk, Pedestrian
should cross at this location after looking both ways to make sure it is safe to cross

They should obey any traffic light that may be in operation Driver must approach
these zones cautiously

ANE LINES, CENTER LINES BARRIERS LINES

This broken white line is added to define or separate traffic lanes. It permits
crossing from one lane to another if there is ample passing distance and if the
opposing lane is clear of traffic.

This solid white lane is used to separate opposing streams of traffic Crossing is
lawful where ample sight distance exists and where the opposing traffic is clear of
traffic

Solid yellow lines in your driving lane prohibit you from passing another vehicle

DIRECTIONAL ARROWS

Pavement arrows indicate direction movement when approaching Traffic

intersections where pavement arrows are used you should enter a lane where the arrow
points in the direction you want to go If you get in the wrong way you should keep going
in the direction indicated by the arrow until it is safe to turn off and get back on the street
or highway which will carry you to your destination

A straight arrow on the pavement means the land is only for traffic moving straight
ahead and that vehicle in the turn either to the right or to the left

10
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MODULE

An arrow pointing to the left means the lane is for the left turning only

An arrow pointing to the right means the lane is for the right turning only

A two-headed arrow with one pointing straight ahead and the other pointing left
means, traffic may go straight ahead or turn left.

A two-headed arrow with one pointing right means the traffic lane may go straight
or turn right

THE TRAFFIC LANTERN

RED SIGNAL- means you must bring your vehicle to a stop at a marked line crosswalk
or intersection: Wait until the signal changes to green and the intersection is clear before
proceeding Unless a sign indicates otherwise, a right turn may be made on a red signal
or from a one-way street to a one-way street provided the vehicle is first brought to a stop,
and always subject to the right of way of pedestrians and other traffic.

FLASHING RED SIGNAL- means bring your vehicle to a stop and proceed only when it
is safe to do so.

11
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MODULE

FLASHING RED BEACON - A flashing red signal may be an overhead beacon used in
conjunction with a stop sign or a beacon located directly above a stop sign.

YELLOW SIGNAL. - indicates that the red signal is about to appear, Stop the vehicle if
you can do so safely, otherwise, you may proceed with caution

FLASHING YELLOW SIGNAL - means proceed with caution.

FLASHING YELLOW BEACON - When a flashing yellow beacon is incorporated with an

overhead beacon or a beacon located directly above a warning sign, it warns you to
proceed with caution.

YELLOW ARROW - In some traffic control signals, a yellow arrow appears after a green
arrow. When the yellow arrow appears, it means the red or solid green signal is about to
appear. Therefore, stop the vehicle safely, if it can be done otherwise, proceed with
caution

GREEN SIGNAL - means you proceed, provided you yield to a pedestrian and other
traffic lawfully using the intersection. When making a turn on a green signal remember
that the pedestrian crossing on the green signal has the right-of-way Be sure that you do
not block the traffic.

FLASHING GREEN SIGNAL: -When a flashing green signal or a cell turn green arrow
with a green signal is used. it permits the vehicle facing that signal to turn left, turn right
or go through while opposing traffic faces a red signal.

A pedestrian must not proceed on a flashing green signal or green left-turn arrow unless
a walk signal is shown

GREEN ARROW WITH OR WITHOUT A RED SIGNAL - When a green arrow is shown
with or without a red signal. you may enter the intersection to move only in the direction
shown by the arrow

PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL - A pedestrian facing a steady or flashing "Don't Walk" signal

should not start to cross the roadway. If a pedestrian has entered the roadway on the
"Walk" signal and the "Don't Walk" signal appears, he/she should proceed as quickly as
possible to a safe area While doing this, pedestrians still have the right of way over
vehicles

Also, a pedestrian should not cross the roadway when vehicular traffic has a
flashing green signal unless he /she is facing a "Walk" signal.

12
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MODULE

TOPIC LINK FOR VIDEO

How Do Traffic Signals Work? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP62ogEZgkI

The traffic solution most cities

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX68ym4n7_c
haven't tried

Why Traffic Congestion is a

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ut3AwoRlwQ
HUGE issue today

References:
Traffic management and accident investigation.
Deliso, Darlito Bernard 2014

13