GW02

NARRATIVE REPORT

I. INTRODUCTION

GW02, which focuses on the group’s recommendations for improving their

chosen intersection, is a continuation of GW01, where each group was tasked
to pick a 5-legged intersection and identify its conflict points, characteristics,
and traffic devices. Group 7’s chosen 5-legged intersection from GW01 is
located along 581 Ayala Blvd., Ermita, Manila. It includes the following legs:
Ayala Blvd., San Marcelino Street, and Sylvia Street. The famous landmarks
around it can easily recognize the chosen intersection; in front of the
intersection is SM City Manila, and besides is the Technological University of
the Philippines or TUP Manila.

To better understand the composition and status of the chosen 5-legged

intersection and develop plausible recommendations for its improvement, the
data gathered from GW01 can be a guide. Observations showed the
following: Ayala Blvd. is a two-way leg with four lanes, San Marcelino Street is
a one-way leg with two lanes, and Sylvia Street is a one-way, one-lane leg.
Among the five legs, Sylvia Street is the smallest leg as it is part of a
residential area; there is minimal traffic, and not many traffic devices are
present. On the other hand, Ayala Blvd. is the busiest leg, with the majority of
trucks going through it; this could be explained by the direct connection of the
leg to the Ayala Bridge. As for the conflict points, the chosen 5-legged
intersection has 5 diverging conflict points, 5 merging conflict points, and 18
crossing conflict points—a total of 28 conflict points overall.

II. OBJECTIVES

The main objective of GW02 is to develop a set of recommendations

about how the group’s chosen 5-legged intersection can be improved. To
provide better, sufficient, and logical recommendations, it is best for the
groups to conduct a visit to the intersection. Since Group 7 already visited the
chosen 5-legged intersection onsite, the recommendations will be created
following the observations and data gathered from the first visit. For each
recommendation, samples from the 5-legged intersection selected can be
provided for further explanation and backup information.
III. OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS

The group’s visit to the chosen 5-legged intersection along 581 Ayala Blvd.,
Ermita, Manila, allowed them to properly observe the flow of traffic and
possible conflict points in the area, which then provided sufficient guidance in
creating the recommendations for the intersection’s improvement. Upon
enough analysis, Group 7 came up with the following recommendations,
starting from the simpler ones to the technical ones:

a. Repaint pedestrian lanes and road markings to make them more visible

One noticeable detail in the chosen 5-legged intersection is the faded

color of pedestrian lanes and road markings. It is hazardous if road
markings are close to diminishing, especially pedestrian lanes. Simply
repainting all road markings will improve the intersection; more visible
markings will also help guide drivers, passengers, and pedestrians to a
safer transportation experience.

b. Reinstall traffic signs in more visible places

The traffic signs at the chosen five-legged intersection are a noticeable

detail. Because of how the meeting works, the traffic signs were missing in
their positions, so we must reinstall them to understand better where
drivers wanted to go.

c. Refurbish, renew, or remodel traffic signs.

The traffic sign at the intersection is not visible to drivers or pedestrians

because it is old, rusty, and has not been maintained. This is one of the
intersection's noticeable details.

d. Fix wirings and readjust the positions of traffic lights to be more visible

Based on our observations, we have concluded that the intersection's

traffic lights conflict due to their stuttering and inclined positions.

e. Install adaptive traffic lights or countdown timers.

Traffic lights and countdown timers are two more noticeable aspects of the
five-legged intersection; we must install adaptive traffic lights and
countdown timers to make the meeting more consistent and systematic.
 f. Install pedestrian traffic lights.

It is necessary to install pedestrian traffic lights because, in terms of how

the intersection works, a five-legged intersection without pedestrian traffic
lights will cause some problems for people who use the crossing.

g. Add bicycle lane markings on each leg and across the intersection.

The final aspect of the intersection that we notice is the absence of bike
and motorcycle lanes on each leg of the meeting. These lanes would allow
bikers and motorcycle riders to better and safely drive their vehicles.

h. Add an advanced stop line or a bike box road marking

Another conflicting issue in the intersection is the tendency of motorcycles

and bicycles to take the spaces for pedestrians in front of the leg
whenever the traffic signal is red. Such tendencies create danger for
pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists because this indicates their lack
of exclusive space. Adding an advanced stop line and a bike box road
marking will provide a safe space for two-wheeled vehicles in front of road
lanes. This way, there will be spaces exclusive for each vehicle, reducing
the danger in the intersection.

IV. CONCLUSION

We have concluded that the five-legged meeting can be improved,

developed, and mostly renovated after observing and researching various
aspects of the chosen intersection. Truck drivers, bikers, motorcycle riders,
and private vehicle drivers would benefit from this, as they would be able to
comprehend the intersection's procedures and avoid conflicts and traffic
congestion. Recommending will assist the crossroads in enhancing and
balancing the systems to ensure no one is harmed or stressed out.