THE PILLARS OF TRAFFIC

Pillars of Traffic. These are the main areas of traffic managements which are
also known as the "Es" of Traffic..

1. Traffic Engineering. It is the science of measuring traffic and travel the

study of the basic laws relative to the traffic law and generation; the
application of this knowledge to the professional practice of planning,
deciding, and operating traffic system to achieve safe and efficient
transportation of persons and goods.

Agencies and individuals in traffic engineering and all the conducted

programs, projects, and activities are all geared to:
(1) To achieve efficient, free and rapid flow of traffic.
(2) To prevent traffic accident.
(3) To simplify police enforcement actions and performance.
(4) To show that good police actions and performance makes engineering
plans effective.
(5) To present the close relationship of the pillars of traffic in the improvement
of traffic problems.

When and where the Objectives of Traffic Engineering are applied? Traffic
engineers normally focused their tasks on these places where traffic
congestions, traffic accidents, traffic build-up, or traffic obstructions are likely
to occur-
(1) Habitually congested commercial areas.
(2) Heavily travelled thoroughfares.
(3) Congested local areas and intersections.
(4) During special occasions and events.
(5) During disasters or emergencies.
(6) At school crossings.

2. Traffic Education. It refers to any act or process of imparting or acquiring

general knowledge on traffic or any matters relating to the use of the traffic
way or road ways. Traffic safety education is the primary concern of traffic
education in the area of accident reduction and prevention. The following are
the agencies and offices responsible for traffic education:

a. Schools(Public and Private). Traffic education can be carried out by

imparting knowledge concerning traffic safety, training and practice in the
actual application of traffic safety, and developing traffic safety morality.

b. Public Information Programs. The public should be informed on all activities

affecting the citizens and the community relating to traffic (dissemination of
information). This can be done through the public information agency,
newspapers, radio and television broadcasting networks, and other forms of
media.
c. Citizen Support Groups. These are mostly composed by voluntary non-
government organizations (NGOs),radio communication groups, rotary
organizations, and other voluntary clubs. These organizations usually develop
citizens' responsibilities, conduct organized educational campaign, instill
awareness of the traffic problems; and provide information regarding major
traffic requirements and needs.
3. Traffic Enforcement. This field deals mostly on the implementation and
enforcement of traffic laws and rules and regulations. The following are the
various agencies/offices that are involved in enforcement of traffic laws:
a. Land Transportation Office (LTO). This office is responsible for the
following:
(1) Vehicle registration
(2) Vehicle inspections
(3) Drivers licensing (examinations, suspensions, and revocations)
(4) Public to police on stolen or wanted vehicles.
b. Legislative Bodies. Included are the Senate, Congress, Provincial Boards,
and City and Municipal Councils. They are responsible for the passing and/or
amending of laws and/or ordinances.
C. Police Traffic Enforcement. This pillar is not limited to the PNP-HPG
(formerly TMG) but it includes all government personnel who are duly
authorized for the direct enforcement of traffic laws such as:
(1) The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for the National
Capital Region (NCR).
(2) Police/Traffic Auxiliaries
(3) LTO Law Enforcement Services
4. Traffic Ecology or Traffic Environment. This pillar is very recent which
includes the study of potentially disastrous population explosion, changes in
urban environment due to the scale and density of new urban concentration
and new activities carried out, air pollution, water pollution and crowding,
especially transport congestion which result therein.
a. What are the environmental effects of the urbanization of transportation?
1. Noise
2. Vibration
3. Air Pollution
4. Dirt
5. Visual Intrusion.
6. Loss of Privacy
7. Changes in Amount of Light
8. Neighborhood severance
9. Relocation
10. Distraction during planning and construction.
11. Accident Experiences
12. Pedestrian Journey
13. Congestion and Other Benefits to Vehicles

5. Traffic Economy. This is the most recent of the pillars of traffic which deals
with the benefits and adverse effects of traffic to our economy. Primarily,
traffic operation is designed to expedite the movement of traffic. However,
with the prevailing traffic congestion during rush hours in any given locality,
traffic adversely affects the economic status of the commuting public.
One aspect affecting our economy is the unending increase of oil prices in the
world market. Somehow, programs must be instituted in order to minimize the
ill effect of rising prices of basic commodities. Delays resulting from traffic
congestion affect not only the time of travel but the productivity of an individual
as well.