Traffic Management Proposal

• Proper road construction

Proper road construction is necessary for the improvement of traffic management in Sun Valley because it will ease the traffic flow. Many of the roads are narrow and a great number of vendors locate themselves along the streets. This is the main cause of congestion therefore by widening the roads, more vehicles may use them simultaneously, without the inconvenient heavy traffic flow. According to mass housing regulations, “a “travel lane” is 9 – 10 feet, so the most narrow requirements are 18 – 20 feet of pavement.

The average car or pickup is 5.5 – 6.5 feet wide, and dump trucks and school buses are 7 feet. The rationale for roads wider than 20 feet is the need to accommodate parked cars and two-way traffic, as well as emergency vehicles.” The standard street design must be followed to execute proper traffic management. In order for the vehicle to travel smoothly and safely, the road measurements must be accurate to prevent sudden imbalance and unwanted speed. A vehicle should not be accelerating more than it should be nor less

than it should be.

• Installation of traffic control devices and signs

An installation of additional traffic devices such as stoplights, road signs (e.g. stop signs, no swerving, no u-turn, etc.), speed bumps/traps, etc. would occur to further enhance the purpose of this proposal. These aid in ensuring that drivers passing through the Sun Valley area will follow traffic enforcements as often as possible. Moreover, stop lights are placed at several intersections to notify the motorists whether they need to decrease their speed to prepare for a full stop or increase their speed by a bit in order to go. These signs are discernible so precautionary gestures will be taken into consideration to capacitate us to elude sudden change as well as to prevent accidents. These warning devices will not only improve traffic management, but guarantee safety as well. The devices/methods to be used to improve traffic management are as follows:

 Street Lights - These are very helpful for drivers when they are on the road at night

because it illuminates the streets, making it easier for them to see where they are

going. This also aids in ensuring their safety because the vehicle will be moving in

the right direction and avoid going out of its path.

 Road Signs - These are conveniently placed in various locations in which it is easily

seen by drivers on the road so that they will be constantly reminded to follow safety

rules. Examples are: stop sings, no U-turn, speed limit signs, no swerving, etc.

 Radar guns for traffic enforcers - These will serve as tools in identifying which

vehicles are going over the speed limit. With more traffic enforcers in possession

of this device, drivers will be more aware to drive at a safe speed.

 Speed traps/bumps - These are strategically located on roads to make sure that

vehicles slow down. They add friction to the road; thus, when a vehicle drives over

them it is forced to decrease its speed.

 Motorcycle/bicycle lanes - These lanes should be situated on the main roads to

prevent collision of different forms of transportation. Safety is highly guaranteed

due to the roads being more organized, although proper education and

enforcement must be instilled to the drivers so they make take the rules religiously.

Apart from that, the motorists will avoid having to shift their speeds from time to

time, especially larger vehicles.

• Appropriate speed limit

Appropriate speed limits are only one element to further reduce traffic, but for the foreseeable future they will continue to form the backbone of traffic management strategies and policies. Speed limits are used to define acceptable speed and provide a basic indicator to road users of the maximum speed allowed under the law. Speed limits act as an important information source for road users. When set correctly, they help

reinforce the driver’s assessment of a safe speed and act as a pointer to the nature of the road and the risk associated with it.

According to OECD Speed Management, the appropriate speed for a section of road is set taking into account safety, mobility and environmental considerations and the impact of the chosen speed on the quality of life for the people living alongside the road. Appropriate speed differs from one type of road to another and recognizes the different weight to be given to the various elements on the different parts of the road network. Several accidents occur on the road due to speed limitations. Drivers that are too slow risk blocking other vehicles, and those going over the speed limit are in danger of colliding with other vehicles. It is advisable that the speed limit would be raised to 60 kph on all the main roads of the barangay to maintain the flow of traffic. Meanwhile for the residential area and zones outside school, a speed limit of 30 kph must be implemented. Speed has a significant effect on the noise that a vehicle emits.

Driving at lower speeds will generally reduce noise levels, although the frequency of accelerations can be more important than mean speed. Speeding up will not be a problem if it is not classified as reckless or ignorant driving. Due to the fact that Barangay Sun Valley comprises of multiple joint areas, maintaining a constant speed is sensible — this would mean that for every second you travel, you would be covering the same change in distance. Aside from that, you would be in control during during the course of changing direction so a sudden change in acceleration and velocity would be easily avoided.

• Installation of CCTV cameras to the stoplights

There will be installations of stop lights with CCTV cameras to serve as a tool or traffic enforcers

in pinpointing vehicles that do no follow the rules, especially at an intersection.

• Additional traffic enforces with radars

Strict implementation would be executed by the well-trained traffic enforcers. For the essence of safety precautions and proper competency, fines for all violations would be increased accordingly. Traffic enforcers would be located and scattered in several parts of the barangay to closely keep tract of their speeds using the radar, as well as other violations. Apart from that, certain punishments will be effectuated as well to be able to promote discipline and order in the barangay. On the first offense of a motorist, he/shewill be fined depending on the rule violated or gravity of offense. During the second time

around, he/she will be fined, and will also be required to attend a 2-hour seminar on traffic rules ins ide the community. On the third offense, the driver will be fined, there will be a result of suspended license and in order to regain it back, he/she must strictly takeconventional driving lessons once again for a m onth. Although these punishments are harsh, they are only harsh to make sure the rules are properly carri ed out and being followed by the whole community.

• Proper enforcement

Proper enforcement must be strictly apprehended in order for the traffic management to be amply carried out. The community comprises of every member in the community whereas the participation of the whole barangay is strictly obligated. Education of the new rules must be done in order to prevent future conflicts which may eventually lead to more accidents. For example, if not all citizens are aware of the new speed limits, this may result to vehicles abruptly colliding with one another. Aside from that, if they are unaware of the new motorcycle lane, then motorists may unknowingly clash another due to passing at the inaccurate lane. The participation is a critical factor in successfully executing the new traffic management in Barangay Sun Valley.