STATUS OF ROADS AND HIGHWAYS IN THE 1ST CONGRESSIONAL

DISTRICT OF CAMARINES SUR: THEIR EFFECTS ON

COMMUTER’S MOBILITY AND

SATISFACTION

To Be Presented To The Faculty Of Engineering

Department Naga College Foundation

Naga City

In Partial Fulfilment Of The

Requirements For The

Methods Of Research

Bongat, Rolly John M.

Sarol, Mark Joseph M.

Solo, John Kevin S.

 CHAPTER I

The Problem

Introduction

This study is taking place at 1st congressional district of Camarines Sur,

Municipalities of Sipocot Camarines Sur, Lupi Camarines Sur, Ragay Camarines Sur and

Del Gallego Camarines Sur. This aim to know the status of roads and highways in

Andaya highway (N68) and the effects of the condition of the highway to the residents,

commuters and motorists mobility and satisfaction.

What are the differences of the roads and highways abroad to our roads and

highways here in the Philippines? What might be the main cause of the problem of

having dilapidated roads and its effect to the mobility of the commuters and motorists?

We do agree that one of the most important factor for a country to attain

progressive development and socio-economic all over the world is by maintaining the

good status and quality of transportation to their country. This way they have the

capabilities sustaining a good transportation services to their commuters and motorists.

The countries with a good condition of roads and highways in the world are

Japan and Dubai. They have the most modern equipment’s of preventing accidents

along highways. They also have 8-lanes one way to prevent traffics and vehicle to

vehicle collisions. While here in the Philippines we have expressways with 4-lanes one

way highways such as Nlex and Slex. But the other highways in the provinces have

poor status and greatly affecting transportations.

 One of the most important factors that affect the mobility of the commuters and

motorist is the heavy traffics along highways all over the world. But, if the country has

the good status of roads and highways these traffics along highway will not be a

problem anymore. If dilapidated roads and traffics in the highways won’t be solved it

will affect the progression of one’s country. The deliveries of goods and services all over

the country will be delayed, and delayed deliveries will consume time and money and

the most affected to these problems are the commuters and the motorist, which is by

the way 90% of the people of the country, uses transportation every day.

The Philippines has 199,950 kilometers (124,240 mi) of roads, of which 39,590

kilometers (24,600 mi) are paved. As of 2004, the total length of the non-toll road

network was reported to be 202,860 km, with the following breakdown according to

type:National roads - 15%, Provincial roads - 13%, City and municipal roads -

12%, Barangay roads - 60%. This is the statistical roads and highways all over the

country, 80% of the roads and highways all over the country has a problem in mobility

and has a low satisfaction of the commuters and motorists.

Residents along highway are greatly affected along these highways with

problems in terms of dilapidated and reblocking of roads. Maintenance are being done

yearly, but always fail to get the ideal roads and highways.
Research Problems/ Objectives

Many of us are always asking on what are the aspects or what are the causes of

the traffics along Andaya highway? Many are irritated when you are in a rush to go to

school or to work and you got caught on traffic along Andaya highway. Andaya highway

is the shortest route to go to Quezon province all the way to Manila but many

accidents, reblocking, and dilapidated roads are still a hindrance to the commuter’s and

motorist for easy & safe travelling. Along Andaya highway residence are complaining

too about this problem.

We would like to give a way of solution about this problem that’s why we would

like to emphasize the status of roads and highways from Sipocot Camarines Sur all the

way to Del Gallego Camarines Sur. We would like to study the causes and the way of

improving the roads and highways by conducting survey interviews to the people along

the Andaya highway to understand the problem.

What are the aspects that would make the roads dilapidated and easily break? Is

it the weather/ natural disasters? Vehicular load capacity of the road? Or the soil

composition of the roads? These are some of the causes we would like to solve to give

a possible ways of improving the highway to eradicate or at least minimize the cause of

traffic along Andaya highway.

Our main objective on conducting this study is to find the main cause of this

massive traffic and accidents along Andaya highway for a safe travelling of the motorist

and commuter’s that passes this highway. Uneven parts of the highway is the key
points to our study, it may be the main cause of the problem but there are some other

factors that contribute to the problem.

To develop the Andaya highway for a more accessed way for the travellers

convenient and safe passage going to Bicol region and vice versa, To narrowly define

the factors that make the roads easily break, this way we can make the Andaya

highway stable and minimize the cost for maintenance and more.

Specifically, this study sought to answer the following questions:

1. What are the causes of the dilapidated parts along Andaya highway?

2. What is the status of Andaya highway in terms of:

a. Embankment

b. Road widening

c. Pavementing

d. Signages

3. How to improve the capabilities and performances of Andaya highway?

4. Level of satisfaction of the ff;

a. Residents along Andaya highway

b. Commuters

c. Motorists
Assumptions

The researchers’ assumption is that the main cause of the problem about the

status of roads and highway is the weather condition and the location of the Andaya

highway. The dilapidation of the roads and highways at 1st Congressional District,

maintenance responsibilities of the Local Government Unit to enhance and improve.

Hypothesis

These dilapidated roads and heavy traffics will cause a breakdown in local

improvement of the municipalities all over Bicol region. It will also cause delay to the

deliveries of goods and services which will affect the investors, business owners and all

the people in Region V.

The cause of the dilapidated road parts in Andaya highway is the soil

composition, Vehicular loads and Pavement composition. These causes need an

immediate attention for preventing a much more problem in the future.

(Road indivisilities- D.N.M Starkie, 1982) This study critically examines the belief

that the provision of road capacity is subject to pronounced lumpiness or indivisilities,

so that the road planner’s choice of capacity is heavily constrained. This view,

expressed in extreme form, will be found in (Paul 1960) and (Walters 1968).

According to D.N.M Starkie’s analysis it is assumed that a road of any given size

has a rigid capacity. This assumption, though unusual in the economic treatment of
road problems, is consistent with the “service capacity” concept used in the planning of

roads and highway engineers. This concept relates the output of road to a specified

quality of travel. Quality is expressed in terms of several factors, including speed, traffic

interruptions, safety, freedom to manoeuvre and driving comfort.

Studies have shown that with wider lanes vehicles have less effect on the traffic

flow in adjacent lane; this increases capacity. However, the ability of the road planner

to vary capacity in this way and yet maintain a particular level of service is limited.

Lanes with narrow or too wide will cause hazards inconsistent with the specified service

level. Nevertheless, there remains the substantial opportunity to home-in on a particular

capacity by adjustments of this type.

(Hoban, 1980) shows the choices of the capacity available by constructing one,

two or three lengths of auxiliary lane (each 2 kilometer long) on both sides of an

existing 21-kilometer highway. In this instance, capacity is defined by reference to the

Highway Research Board (1965) level of service “A”. The existing road has a high

design speed, wide lanes and shoulders and generally wide lateral clearances alongside

the road.

MANILA, Philippines – Driving in the Philippines can be a test of patience and attention,

as you have to keep your eyes on the road while also being aware of motorcycles, bicycles, and

pedestrians mixing in with the usual traffic. Too often ignored – but they really shouldn't be –

are the road signs that keep motorists and pedestrians safe on the road. Road signs are usually

classified into 3 categories: regulatory, warning, and information. Next time you go for a drive,

refresh your knowledge of these basic road signs and what they mean.
 The hypothesis of the study is that, there is in need of improving the Andaya

highway for its poor maintenance and performance base on our observation and

questioning survey after the intervention.

Scope of the Delimitation of the study

We are going to focus only about the satisfaction and mobility of the commuters

and motorist along Andaya highway, our field of study is the town of Sipocot, Lupi,

Ragay and Del Gallego because this are the towns along 1st congressional district road

(Andaya highway) that covers our research.

We are going to conduct personal interview on the residences of Sipocot, Lupi,

Ragay and Del Gallego, alongside Andaya highway. These are the residences who

witnesses the vehicular accidents more often, they are the people who are merely

spectator but also the most affected when it comes to food businesses but for those

whose business are for car parts and vulcanizing shop this is a good spot for their

business.

Commuters and motorists are not just along this highway so our participants/

correspondents are too broad to specify. So we have no choice but to interview not just

the people of those four towns along Andaya highway but all people that has

experience of the uneven pavement of the Andaya highway.

 Weather is one of the aspects that affect this uneven pavement. Some of this

natural phenomenon we experience here in Bicol region are storm, landslide, flood and

earthquakes that contributed to the destruction of the roads and highways all around

Bicol.

Definition of Terms

Motorist – Drivers of any Land type vehicle either standard or heavy.

Commuters – People that uses public transportation vehicles.

Bicolano – General term for the people of Bicol Region.

Dilapidated - object in a state of disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect.

Uneven – rocky, bumpy, rough.

Indivisilities – full of lumps.

Embankment – Use to hold back water/flood.

Participants/ Correspondents – People involved to our interview for this study.

Notes:

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/bfm%3A978-94-009-7591-0%2F1.pdf
 CHAPTER II

Literature Review

This chapter consisted of related literature and studies which were found to be

related in one way or another to the present study, theoretical and conceptual

frameworks.

Related Literature and Studies

Related Literature was taken from books, journals, media and internet.

Important highlights were carefully read and were included in this study.

The researchers reviewed related studies to gain knowledge and better

understanding to make this study meaningful and understandable. The researchers

purposively gathered these related studies from unpublished Master’s Thesis and

Undergraduate Thesis from public and private libraries, Internet to make this study

valuable.

Bentley (2015) stated that infrastructure is essential to sustaining economic

growth and improving quality of life. Their solutions addresses the entire transportation

lifecycle, spanning planning, design, analysis, maintenance, and operation of roads,

bridges, tunnels, drainage systems and roadway assets. Their reality modelling solution
allows you to leverage LiDAR surveys or to rapidly create detailed and precise geometry

from digital photos.

Siemens (2017) Introduced their futuristic and eco-friendly way of reducing the

problem about mobility and traffic causes. Siemens Company is able to supply and

install traffic control systems, from design, engineering, installation and commissioning

right up to user training, system maintenance and related services. Their key

components to their traffic solutions is their Sitraffic Conduct + system, using

algorithms for automated and semi-automated control designed for optimizing traffic

flow and providing motorist with timely warnings on all kinds of accidents. This systems

is operational 24/7.

They are able to introduce a more accessible type of optimizing parking related

traffic by their comprehensive system. Their system is able to monitor the parking

occupancy of on-the-street parking facilities and pass the information on to the

motorist, either for each individual parking space (by means of ground sensors) or on

the basis of the number of parking permit sold.

FJ Gichaga (2017) stated that one of the best solution for a better mobility and

free traffic roads and highway is the road widening. He emphasized that road widening

can make a much better way to improve the highway all over one nation. This way it

will surely minimize the traffic and vehicular accidents to the highways.
 Goldstein (2009) stressed that improving and repairing dilapidated roads into a

good condition and into more long span asphalted roads can make a difference to the

people alongside highways. This will take a high cost for repairing but it will surely

worth it for it is going to make the highway more safe and strong into many kinds of

calamity. It can withstand a natural disasters and irrelevant weather.

DPWH (1986-1992) Development programs and projects states that their focus is

for infrastructure projects resulting into 24 projects amounting P19, 286M were under

the national roads and bridges. As the national government facility for infrastructure

and maintenance they stated that the budget for infrastructure and maintenance is

going well and still organized into putting new and strong roads and highways for a

better transportation.

Ignacio Anacta (2013) According to him the Errant drivers certainly can cause

accidents. The question is what makes them to become errant drivers? For provincial-

bound bus drivers it’s probably due to lack of sleep or overworked. Jude Huntog (2013)

says that aside from recklessness, most often reasons are damaged roads, the lack of

street lights and incorrect signage’s.

SC (2012) This statement is from the second series of; Driving Manila to

Sorsogon. The author said that it’s better to take Maharlika highway than Andaya

highway going to Naga City especially for those who are unfamiliar to Andaya highway

because vehicular traffic and accidents dropped considerably in Andaya highway.

Author said that if u want to save your car tires drivers should be really careful of
travelling along Andaya highway because of this dilapidated roads. Maharlika highway

may take too much time but it will provide a good condition road rather than Andaya

highway.

Tailhook (2006) In his blog site one of the traveller’s ask him if it’s advisable to

bring cars and pass Andaya road going to Naga city from Manila and he replies and said

that “i would not recommend passing through Andaya highway. I just went through

Andaya highway on July 25 and the condition could not be worse.

There are many one lane portions which would delay your travel greatly as well as

severely damaged roads. what usually took an hour and thirty to forty five minutes to

traverse the 93 km Andaya took me over two hours and a half.

save yourself the aggravation and your car of a bad beating by passing through daet.

yet another glaring reminder of how corrupt our officials are. Ever notice that the name

of the Andaya highway ('andaya' highway) is wholly appropriate? ie. an(g) daya!”.

Synthesis of the State-of-the-Art

The study of Bentley (2015) and Siemens (2017) was related to the present

study because both studies used as an innovative method to improve and minimize the

traffic in Andaya highway however, the present study was different in terms of the

respondents used and the place of concern where the study was conducted.

The study of FJ Gichaga (2017), Goldstein (2009) and DPWH (1996-1992) was

related also to the present study because both studies aimed to improve the
performance of the highway. However, the present study focuses on the cause of traffic

along Andaya highway and used the people alongside Andaya highway as the

respondents.

Ignacio Anacta and Jude Huntog (2013), SC (2012) and Tailhook (2006)

conducted a study and share their experiences to prove that Andaya highway’s

dilapidated road parts contribute to a massive traffic and accidents. However, the

present study used PQRST strategy to know and improve the performance level of the

highway at 1st congressional district, Year 2017.

The researchers made use of specific method in developing a more relevant

solution to prevent traffic and accidents along Andaya highway by using PQRST method

– Preview (P), Question (Q), Read (R), State the main ideas (S) and Test oneself by

answering the questions posed earlier (T). The present study was conducted at Sipocot

to Ragay Camarines Sur (1st congressional district) Andaya highway specifically to the

motorists/commuters and residence alongside Andaya highway year 2017.

Gap Bridged By the Study

The primary concern of the researchers in this study is to know the satisfaction

and mobility of the people that travelling along Andaya highway mainly motorists,

commuters and residents alongside Andaya highway who are most affected by the

traffic and uneven road parts of the Andaya highway in 1st congressional district of

Camarines Sur.
 Theoretical Framework

The following were the pertinent theories that have guided the researchers and

as basis for this study:

One of the theories that supported the concepts of Satisfaction and mobility of

commuters/motorists in highway was Theory of Highway Traffic Signal which was

proposed by Gordon F. Newell, a highway traffic signal was about identifying the most

critical intersections in the existing system. This means that putting proper traffic signal

and signages is important to alert/warning the driver into the upcoming danger. This

theory tells about the importance of traffic signal to prevent vehicular accidents along

highway.

The second theory which was found relevant is the Three-phase traffic theory by

the developmental transportation engineer Kerner. This theory played significant role as

one of the most scientific solution in solving the traffic jams along highway’s, this theory

introduced a three way lane as;

1. Free flow

2. Synchronized flow

3. Wide moving jam

The idea of this theory is to categorize the moving vehicle to its capacity of speed and

reduce the struggle between driver-driver in occupying lanes, this way the only lane

which a driver can overtake to another car is the wide moving jam flow to minimize
 Theory of Highway Traffic
Three-phase Traffic Theory
Signal
(Kerner)
(Newell)
“Moving jam flows”
“Importance of signages”

Satisfaction and Mobility of

commuters and motorists

Theory of Transportation
Economics

(Noland)

“Driver’s behaviour behind

the wheel”

Figure 1. Theoretical Paradigm

bumping into each other. While the two other flow/lanes described into a safer but slow

moving cars.

Another theory was Transportation Economics by Robert B. Noland. He theorized

that behaviour of the driver while driving is one of the most aspects that cause traffic

along highways. This theory is about understanding risk versus mobility along highway.

This theory implied that driver should make a reasonable and safe decision while driving

to safely make to their destination.

Conceptual Framework

STATUS OF ROAD AND HIGHWAYS IN THE 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF CAMARINES SUR:
THEIR EFFECTS ON COMMUTERS’ MOBILITY AND SATISFACTION

PROCESS

I. Preparation, OUTPUT
INPUT
Validation
I. Questionnair
1. Commuters’ and
e materials
mobility and Administrati
using PQRST
satisfaction on.
strategy.
A. PQRST – Preview A. Researcher-
(P), Question (Q), Made-
A. Traffic codes.
Read (R), State Questionnaire.
B. Highway
the main idea (S) B. Observational
Designs
and Test oneself Survey
C. Government
by answering the II. Statistical
Maintenance
questions posted Treatment,
Program
earlier (T). Analysis and
Interpretatio
n of data

FEEDBACK

Figure 2. Conceptual Paradigm

Notes:

http://www.siemens.com.ph/index.php, Gichaga, FJ. 2007. Shelter,

Transport, Water and Solid Waste Management.,

https://sorsogoncity.wordpress.com/2012/02/page/4/,

https://www.bentley.com/en/solutions/industries/roads-and-highways,

https://www.slideshare.net/goldstein2009/project-report-on-38532453,

http://www.dpwh.gov.ph/dpwh/business/index .,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-phase_traffic_theory, Gordon F.

Newell. Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Berkeley,

CA 94720, U.S.A., 1989.

http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/book/10.1108/9780080548999.
 CHAPTER III

Research Design and Methodology

This chapter presents the methodology, research setting, respondents,

instruments, data gathering procedures and statistical treatment that were used in the

present study.

Research Design

This study used the descriptive (naturalistic observation, survey) design using

questionnaire materials and Field survey from Sipocot to Ragay, Camarines Sur, Year

2017.

Random sampling technique was observed in choosing the respondents for the

study, 50 commuters/motorists and residents alongside Andaya highway. It was

selected according to their location and experiences at the highway.

Research Setting

The study was conducted at 1st Congressional District of Camarines Sur (Sipocot

to Ragay, Camarines Sur, and Year 2017. The highway (N68) approximately 93km long.

Respondents

The respondents in the study were the motorists/commuters and residence

alongside Andaya highway of 1st Congressional District, towns of Sipocot, Lupi, Ragay
and Del Gallego, Camarines Sur year 2017. These people are the most eligible

respondents for they are using the Andaya highway more often than the other people.

This study used Random sampling technique in choosing its respondents.

Table 1

Distribution of Respondents by Random sampling technique

Group No. of Respondents Percent (%)

A. Commuters 15 30

B. Motorists 15 30

C. Residents 20 40

Total 50 100

Table 1 above presented the frequency distribution of the respondents by

random sampling technique showing that group A and B have 15 members and group C

have 20 members.

Instruments

The main instrument used in gathering the data is questionnaire. It was

constructed through the use of Table of Specification which includes content area,

weight, level of domain and number of questions. This questionnaire was composed of

20 - items.
Validity and Reliability of the Instruments

To test the validity and reliability of the study, the researchers distributed copies

of the questionnaire to the Government employee and Engineer at the Municipality of

Lupi, Camarines Sur in order to ask for their assistance and help in checking and

validating the instrument, comments, suggestions and additional information were

adopted for the improvement.

Data Gathering Procedure

Before the intervention, a 20 – items was administered to the respondents. 3

groups were subjected to treatment by using one approach; the PQRST method for the

conduction of the survey questioning.

The survey questionnaire was given at the end of the treatment period and the

gained data/information was calculated. These were subjected to know the opinions of

the respondents to the study of mobility and satisfaction in Andaya highway.

It took three days to complete the process for the actual treatment to the groups

of respondents from conducting the survey and observation.

Table 2

Respondents Location and their difference in number in each town

Respondents Location Number of Respondents Negative Positive

Sipocot 9 7 2

Lupi 20 17 3

Ragay 11 3 8

Del Gallego 10 8 2

Total 50 35 15

Mean 12.5 8.75 3.75

S 5.89 4.00 4.00

Table 2 shows that the towns’ location along Andaya highway are comparable in

terms of their opinions about the performance of the highway.

It was carefully computed that the negative opinions has a mean score of 8.75

with the standard deviation of 4.00 with 35 negative participants while the positive

opinions has a mean of 3.75 with the standard deviation of 4.00 with 15 positive

participants.

These results imply that the respondents opinions are comparable in terms of

their location.
Statistical Tools

The data in this study were carefully analysed through the following statistical

tools:

Frequency Count and Percentage Technique

The researchers used this technique to quantify and to find the frequency and

rate of the respondents on their opinions. The opinion or satisfaction of the respondents

in different towns along Andaya highway.

Mean

The researchers used this to sum up the values of the variables divided by the

number of town’s location. It was used also in the computation in Table 2.

Standard Deviation

The researchers used it to compare the satisfaction of the respondents in terms

of mobility in order to determine the effectiveness and performance of the highway

using PQRST strategy in conducting survey questionnaire and observation.

Variance

The researchers made use of the variance in the computation of the satisfaction

and opinions of the respondents.

 QUESTIONNAIRE

Hello;

We, the Civil Engineering students in Naga College Foundation. Are going to
conduct survey about the Status of Andaya highway and the satisfaction in terms of
mobility of the commuters/motorists for our research subject (Research I). We would
like to have your precious time to answer our questions.

This survey is completely voluntary. If some of the question in this questionnaire

is making you feel uncomfortable you are free to refuse or clarify any question in this
survey.

This research approximate number of participants is 50 residents, commuters

and motorists to complete the survey.

We humbly need your opinion about this survey.

1. How long have you been a resident in your barangay?

6 months
6 months to 1 year
1 year to 5 years
5 years and above
2. How often do you use the Andaya highway?

Everyday
5 times a week
3 times a week
1 time every month
3. Your level of satisfaction about the road reblocking along Andaya highway?

Very poor
Poor
Fair
Very good
4. How often do you encounter flat tires upon travelling Andaya highway?
Every time
Sometimes
Never
5. What do you think is the main cause of the dilapidation of the Andaya highway?

Weather
Vehicular load
Road pavement composition
Soil composition
6. Do you think Andaya highway can still be improved?

Yes
No
7. Do you think embankment can help improve the Andaya highway?

Yes
No
8. What municipalities do you think suffer the most dilapidated parts along Andaya

highway?

Sipocot
Lupi
Ragay
Del Gallego
9. What is your level of satisfaction about Andaya highway performance?

Very low
Low
Fair
Excellent
10. What is your opinion about Andaya highway?
Specify your
answer:______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________.

Satisfaction about mobility and Traffic:

11. Do you think Andaya highway have enough signages along it?
Yes
No
No comment
12. Do Andaya highway have enough space to prevent traffic and bumping of
vehicles?
Yes
No
13. What do you think is the cause of traffic?

Reblocking
Illegal parking
Accidents
Dilapidated roads
14. What do you think can help improve to make Andaya highway traffic free?
Reblocking
Illegal parking
Accidents
Dilapidated roads
15. Do you think road maintenance is the only way to prevent traffic?
Yes
No
16. What do you think is the usual scenario of the cause of the traffic?

Road reblocking
Slow/Heavy vehicles
Vehicular accidents
Weather
17. Do you think House-highway space is enough to prevent accidents?
Yes
No
18. Do you believe Government is giving a enough attention to the problem of
Andaya highway?

Yes
No
Maybe
19. Who do you think suffer the most about traffic and delay upon travelling Andaya
highway?
Residents along Andaya highway
Commuters
Motorists
20. What is your level of satisfaction about this interview?

Poor
Fair
Good

Thank you!!