CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Rationale of the Study

Unlike the common phenomenon of large-scale decentralization of economic

activities in downtowns of many big American cities since the mid-20th century, Cebu City

continues to grow in this new millennium and has been increasingly serving as an

advanced service center not only for the city but also for the Asia-Pacific region and even

the world. According to the 2015 census, Cebu City has a population of 922,611 people,

making it the fifth-most populated city in the nation and the most populous in the Visayas.

Cebu City is a developing city that you can see many new establishments and buildings.

One of the factors contributing to a number of the population in Cebu City are the

employees and students came from other cities. Tourism is also rising due to the

innovation of the tourist destinations in Cebu City. Standardize pedestrian links could

facilitate the mobility of businesspeople and thus encourage direct interpersonal contacts

at the business heart of major metropolises. One leading strategy for enhancing

pedestrian circulation in the congested and high office density central areas in the big city

is by separating pedestrians from vehicular traffic is above-grade walkway systems, or

simply, “skywalks” or “skyways”.

A skywalk system can be defined as a network of elevated interconnecting

pedestrian walkways comprising covered or uncovered bridges over streets, as well as

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above-grade corridors within buildings and various activity hubs. Urban skyways very

often consisting of an enclosed or covered footbridges, which protects pedestrians from

the weather. In opposite, open-top modern skyways in mountains now often have the

glass bottoms. Sometimes enclosed urban skywalks are made almost totally from glass

including ceilings, walls, and floors. Also some urban skyways as linear parks known just

for walking and rest.

The researchers think that it is sufficient enough of skywalks in Cebu City but the

people do not use it for some reason. The researchers also would like to conduct an

assessment for the skywalks in Cebu City that needs improvement or fail in the standard

parameter.

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1.2 Theoretical Background

Followed from the technical aspect, pedestrian bridge or “footbridge” as defined by

the Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Term that are authored by Daniel N. Lapades

refer pedestrian bridge as; Footbridge is a bridge for people on foot only. This is the best

solution for pedestrians to cross the road. The pedestrian bridge is only one way to

increase road network capacity. Pedestrians who are crossing are considered to be one

source of congestion.

The main purpose of this research is to study the extent to which the efficiency of the use

of pedestrian bridge crossing in the city of Banjarmasin on the road of Pangeran Antasari,

In front of Mitra Plaza and looking for reasons why pedestrians useless and provide

suggestions for improvement to increase the use of the pedestrian bridge crossing.

Pedestrians are one of the highest traffic accident objects. Several ways are used

to reduce the number of accidents, among others by providing road crossing facilities,

such as zebra cross and pedestrian bridge crossing. Unfortunately, the utilization of such

facilities, especially pedestrian bridge crossing is still very less. This condition raises the

need to identify efficiency use the pedestrian bridge crossing. The study location is a

pedestrian bridge crossing in the road of Pangeran Antasari, Banjarmasin City. The study

method used is the survey method and analysis method. The analysis shows that the

pedestrian percentage that doesn’t use pedestrian bridge crossing is very big, which is

87% at a busy time and 88% at a not busy time. The solution to increasing the use of

pedestrian bridge crossing is by installing a curb railing fence on both sides of the road

(about 200 m).

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 The observation and measurements of pedestrian bridge crossing, consisting of

dimensions, building materials, maintenance conditions, types of the pedestrian bridge

crossing locations and billboards sometimes attached to the bridge. Geometric road,

consisting of the width of the road, the direction of the vehicle flow (one-way or two-

way). (Hari Nukta Ramadani, et al., 2017).

The pedestrian bridge is only as an independent entity but does not consider it as

a part of urban public space for human leisure activities，which imply that the bridge

design combined with the surrounding environment is not effective. Traffic designers,

bridge designers have good intention proposing by the solution from their knowledge

structure and then designed a series of bridge forms. However, the fact is those good

intentions alone will bring out a better result.

This study will focus on a successful case and find the reasons why the skywalk

system became a good public space to prove that the system is feasible and conducive

for regional business development and people's communication in specifying conditions.

The research aims to prove that the skywalk system can be a good solution to traffic

conflicts in specific cities. (Sun Jialiang, 2010).

Flyovers and skywalks help developers and planners to physically and culturally

stitch ‘formal’ zones of the city together above and beyond the rest of the rapidly growing

metropolitan region, they also play a role in efforts at upgrading the ‘slum’ spaces below

them.

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 This article investigates the engineering of elevated transport infrastructure in

contemporary Mumbai. It argues that the conception, construction, and implementation

of flyovers and skywalks in Mumbai over the past 20 years has been part of elite efforts

seeking to instill a more free-flowing, predictable and regulated city. The techniques,

routines, standards, and visualizations comprising these engineering schemes have

promised ways of reshaping the socio-material configurations and everyday landscapes

of Mumbai into a more knowable, functional and integrated realm. The article suggests

that this can be understood analytically as a means of trying to establish and maintain

‘formal’ ideals, citizens and spaces in Mumbai against wider urban contexts perceived as

increasingly ‘informal’. The article thus emphasizes the importance of exploring how the

‘informal’ and ‘formal’ are actively produced and imagined against each other through

material practices and procedures, and the central role of urban engineering in attempts

at reconfiguring the social and political dimensions of urban life. (Andrew Harris, 2009).

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1.3 Flow of Research Process

INPUT

Problem Proposal
 Determining the Layout Efficiency of the 10 Selected Skywalks in
Cebu North District.

PROCESS

Planning
 The researcher’s plans to assess these 10 selected skywalks.
Data Gathering
 Measurements of the assessed skywalks including length, width,
heights, slopes, and its neutral parameters.
Analysis and Interpretation of Data
 To check if the standard parameters are being followed by these
skywalks by calculating solutions in order to learn they passed or failed.

OUTPUT

Conclusion and Recommendations

 To propose strict implementation on
standard parameters on skywalks
and coordination among governing
agencies.

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1.4 Statement of the Problem

The pedestrian bridges are often neglected because it’s tiring, as well as the

unpleasant bridge conditions such as bridge elevation, steep stairs, dirty bridge condition,

and the existence of beggars. Pedestrians choose to take the risk of crossing the road

illegally since it is the fastest way to arrive at their destination even compromising their

safety.

A pedestrian bridge is one of the safest crossing facilities. Indeed, the construction

of pedestrian bridge crossing requires a high enough cost but this value is quite valuable

considering the interest and safety of the pedestrians, but the facility is underutilized

because pedestrians tend not to change the level of the path they pass. The focus of the

researchers is to assess these selected skywalks on how it affects the pedestrian to use

these skywalks. Checking its parameters helps the researchers to learn why some of

these skywalk's layout efficiency does not affect other pedestrians. Knowing these

skywalks keeps the safest way of traveling from one place to the other.

The study will also answer the following problems:

 Check the layout efficiency of the 10 selected skywalks in North District of Cebu

City:

a. Comparing the actual dimensions of the 10 selected skywalks to the different

standard parameters

b. Based on the findings, what actions can be made?

c. How to improve a certain skywalk that fails to meet the standard criteria?

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1.5 Scope and Limitation

This study tackle the assessment of the pedestrian skywalks in North District of

Cebu City in checking the dimensions of the skywalk’s bridge and stairs. The researchers

measured the riser, tread, the number of flights, the number of steps per flight, length of

the bridge, width of the stairs and bridge, railings of the stairs and bridge, and the

computed slope to know if the structure follows the standard parameter. The findings may

result for improvement to a certain failure in the criteria. The researchers limit the

assessment only for the dimension excluding the design. It is beyond to the researcher’s

capacity to gather the data for the design of the skywalks without the support or guide

from the governing agency about the structure’s plan.

1.6Significance of the Study

The study will be undertaken to find out the layout efficiency of the pedestrian

skywalk and further enhance or improve if it is proven that the skywalk is failing to meet

the standard parameter. Benefiting the study are the various sectors as follows:

1. Pedestrians. Pedestrians are the elements of traffic that are often forgotten as

part of the movement on the highway. From the number of traffic accidents that

occur, pedestrians are the highest traffic object. The findings of this research

promote the safety and satisfaction of the pedestrians of Cebu City.

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  Sectors. This sector maintains an engineering and construction arm and

continuously develop its technology, to ensure the safety of all infrastructure

facilities and secure for all public works and highways the highest efficiency and

the most appropriate quality in construction. The benefits for the government

sectors enable them to know the conditions of the skywalk’s structure.

 Researchers. The ideas presented may be used as reference data in conducting

new researches or in testing the validity of other related findings. This study will

also serve as the cross-reference that will give them background or an overview

of the predictors of passing the standard parameter of the skywalk.

 Civil Engineers. The data allocated from assessing skywalks may be used and

improved the condition of a structure. This study provides suggestions for

improvement to increase the use of the pedestrian bridge crossing.

1.7 Definition of Terms

Bridge is a part of the skywalk that built to span a road for providing a passage from

one place to another.

Jaywalking is the act of walking across the road carelessly and dangerously, or not in

the proper place.

Landings in a stair is a level floor or platform constructed at a location where the

direction of stairs changes, between flights of the stair, or at the top of stair flight.

Pedestrian is a person who crosses or walks the road or in a developed area.

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Railings is an angled member for handholding, as distinguished from the vertical

balusters which hold it up for stairs on both sides is a vertical post that holds up the

handrail.

Riser is a part of the stairs that is the vertical portion between each tread on the stairs.

Skywalk or footbridge is an elevated type of structure used by the pedestrians for

safety in crossing the highway.

Slope or pitch is the ratio between the riser and tread of the stairs.

Stairs is a structure designed to bridge a large vertical distance by dividing it into

smaller vertical steps or thread

Thread is a part of the stairs that is stepped on or the horizontal portion.

1.8 Research Design

 Research Methods

1. Gathering data by measuring the riser, tread, width, and length for the stairs and

width and length for the bridge of the skywalk.

2. Calculating the slope of the stairs.

3. Tabulation of data for each skywalk.

4. Determining if the data presented in each skywalk meets the standard

parameters.

5. Assessment of each skywalk if pass or fail based on the research that has been

done.

6. Give recommendations for each skywalk that needs improvement.

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  Research Environment

The study was conducted at North District of Cebu City.

1. Banilad (Banilad Elementary School – Holy Family Village II)

The left side picture is the map location while the right side is the satellite image of the Banilad Skywalk
(Banilad Elementary School – Holy Family Village II) respectively.

2. Banilad (University of Cebu Banilad – Country Mall)

The left side picture is the map location while the right side is the satellite image of the Banilad skywalk
(University of Cebu Banilad – Country Mall) respectively.

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3. Escario Skywalk

The left side picture is the map location while the right side is the satellite image of the Escario Skywalk
respectively.

4. Lahug (Lahug Elementary School)

The left side picture is the map location while the right side is the satellite image of the Lahug Skywalk
(Lahug Elementary School) respectively.

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5. Mabolo (Mabolo Church – Mabolo Elementary School)

The left side picture is the map location while the right side is the satellite image of the Mabolo Skywalk
(Mabolo Church – Mabolo Elementary School) respectively.

6. Osmeña Blvd. (SSS – Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc.)

The left side picture is the map location while the right side is the satellite image of the Osmeña Blvd. (SSS-
Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc.) Skywalk respectively.

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7. Osmeña Blvd. (Abellana National School – Cebu Normal University)

The left side picture is the map location while the right side is the satellite image of the Osmeña Blvd.
Skywalk (Abellana National School – Cebu Normal University) respectively.

8. Robinson’s Bridge (Osmeña Blvd.)

The left side picture is the map location while the right side is the satellite image of the Robinson’s Bridge
respectively.

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9. Robinson’s Skywalk (Mercury Drug – Robinsons Fuente)

The left side picture is the map location while the right side is the satellite image of the Robinson’s Skywalk
respectively.

10. Talamban (Talamban Elementary School)

The left side picture is the map location while the right side is the satellite image of the Talamban Skywalk
respectively.

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  Data Analysis

The slope of the stairs in the skywalk is computed by dividing the riser by

the thread, then calculate the inverse tangent or the arctangent of the result.

𝑟
Slope of the Stairs = tan−1 ( )
𝑡

where:
r = riser
t = thread
Dimensional Standard Parameter for:

Legend for rating the actual dimensions we gathered:

 C – COMPLIANT – For following the standard parameter

 NC – NONCOMPLIANT – For not following the standard parameter

Figure 1. Standard Sloping from Spike’s Menu

The figure illustrates the standard sloping of ramps, stairs and ladders.

Figure 1 illustrate the different preferred sloping of ramps, stairs and ladders.

The figure illustrates the slopping of ramps, stairs and ladders of the different
angle.

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Table 1. National Road Authority – Ireland
The table shows the National Road Authority of Ireland for the layout standard
parameter.
Skywalk’s Detail Dimensional Standard Parameter
Stairs
 Riser Maximum of 150 mm
 Tread Minimum of 300 mm
 Number of Steps per Flight Maximum of 20 steps
 Width Minimum of 1.8 m
 Railing’s Height Minimum of 840 mm and maximum of
1000 mm
Bridge
 Width Minimum of 2 m
 Railing’s Height Minimum of 840 mm and maximum of
1000 mm

Table 1 shows the dimensional standard parameter of the National Road Authority in the Ireland.

The table shows the layout standard parameter for the stairs and bridge of the
skywalk details.
Table 2. Highways England
The table shows the Highways England for the layout standard parameter.
Skywalk’s Detail Dimensional Standard Parameter
Stairs
 Riser Maximum of 150 mm
 Tread Minimum of 300 mm and maximum of 350
mm
 Number of Steps per Flight Maximum of 13 steps
 Width Minimum of 2 m
 Railing’s Height Minimum of 900 mm and maximum of
1000 mm
Bridge
 Width Minimum of 2 m
 Railing’s Height Minimum of 900 mm and maximum of
1000 mm

Table 2 shows the dimensional standard parameter of the Highways England.

The table shows the layout standard parameter for the stairs and bridge of the
skywalk details.

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Table 3. Department of Transport and Main Roads – Australia
The table shows the Department of Transport and Main Roads for the layout
standard parameter.
Skywalk’s Detail Dimensional Standard Parameter
Stairs
 Riser Minimum of 115 mm and maximum of 190
mm
 Tread Minimum of 250 mm and maximum of 355
mm
 Number of Steps per Flight Maximum of 20 steps
 Width Minimum of 1.8 m
 Railing’s Height Minimum of 865 mm and maximum of
1000 mm
Bridge
 Width Minimum of 3 m
 Railing’s Height Minimum of 865 mm and maximum of
1000 mm

Table 3 shows the dimensional standard parameter of the Department of Transport and Main Roads in Australia.

The table shows the layout standard parameter for the stairs and bridge of the
skywalk details.

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