TRAFFIC

CONGESTION
 TRAFFIC CONGESTION

Traffic congestion is a state

wherein transport is slowed,
and more vehicles are queueing
on a given road. It usually
relates to an excess of vehicles
on a portion of roadway at a
particular time resulting in
speeds that are slower than
normal or “free flow” speeds.

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 TYPES OF
TRAFFIC CONGESTION

RECURRING TYPE

NON-RECURRING TYPE
 RECURRING TRAFFIC CONGESTION
Recurring type of congestion
happens when there are more
vehicles in the roadway,
virtually every day.

This is apparent in the morning

and evening commutes to
appointments and employment
turns highways and major roads
into grid locks.

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 NON-RECURRING TRAFFIC CONGESTION
Non-recurring type of congestion
happens when there are
temporary disruptions that take
away part of the roadway from
use.

This includes incidents ranging

from a flat tire to an overturned
hazardous material truck, work
zones, and weather concerns.

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 CATEGORIES OF SOURCES
OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION

TRAFFIC-INFLUENCING EVENTS

TRAFFIC DEMAND

PHYSICAL HIGHWAY FEATURES

 TRAFFIC-INFLUENCING EVENTS
1. TRAFFIC INCIDENTS – these are events that disrupt the normal flow
of traffic, usually by physical impedance in the travel lanes. These
include: vehicular crashes, breakdowns, and debris in travel lanes.

2. WORK ZONES - these are construction activities on the roadway that

result in physical changes to the highway environment.

3. WEATHER - these refers to the environmental conditions that can

lead to changes in driver behavior that affect traffic flow.

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 TRAFFIC DEMAND

1. FLUCTUATIONS IN NORMAL TRAFFIC – This refers to the day-to-day

variability in demand that leads to some days with higher traffic
volumes than others.

2. SPECIAL EVENTS – These are special case of demand fluctuations

where traffic flow in the vicinity of the event will be radically different
from “typical” patterns.

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 PHYSICAL HIGHWAY FEATURES

1. TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES – This includes the intermittent

disruption of traffic flow by control devices such as railroad grade
crossings and poorly timed signals that also contribute to congestion
and travel time variability.

2. PHYSICAL BOTTLENECKS – These are localized disruptions of

vehicular traffic on a street, road, or highway where the width of the
roadway goes from wide to narrow.

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TRAFFIC BOTTLENECK

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 THEORIES OF
TRAFFIC CONGESTION

THREE-PHASE TRAFFIC THEORY

TRAFFIC FLOW THEORIES

 THE THREE-PHASE TRAFFIC THEORY
The FREE FLOW PHASE - it is
characterized by a positive
correlation between the flow
rate or vehicles per unit time,
and vehicle density or vehicles
per unit distance. When the
density reaches the maximum
density for the free flow, the
transition to the congestion
will occur.

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 THE THREE-PHASE TRAFFIC THEORY

The SYNCHRONIZED FLOW

PHASE - in this phase the
speed of vehicles drops
significantly, but there is no
noticeable change in the flow
rate is observed.

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 THE THREE-PHASE TRAFFIC THEORY

The WIDE MOVING JAM

PHASE - this phase
spontaneously occurs through
synchronized flow. At this
stage, both flow rate and
velocity drops significantly,
and they become relatively
uniform than synchronized
flow.

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 THE TRAFFIC FLOW THEORIES

The Traffic Flow Theories

seek to describe in a precise
mathematical way the
interactions between the
vehicles and their operators
(the mobile components) and
the infrastructure (the
immobile component).

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 What is TRAFFIC JAM?

TRAFFIC JAM is a situation

in which a long line of
vehicles on a road have
stopped moving or are
moving very slowly.

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 What is GRIDLOCK?

GRIDLOCK is a form of
traffic congestion where
continuous queues of
vehicles block an entire
network of intersecting
streets, bringing traffic in
all directions to a complete
"standstill."

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 The TEN (10)
Commandments of Traffic
 1. KEEP RIGHT

● Every person operating a motor vehicle or an animal-drawn vehicle on a

highway shall pass to the right when meeting persons or vehicles coming
toward him. (RA 4136, Sec 37)

● On a highway having two more lanes for the movement of traffic in one
direction the driver of a slow moving vehicle shall drive to the right, while the
driver of a fast moving motor vehicle to the left.

● In cases of an incoming emergency motor vehicle, the non-emergency vehicle

shall immediately drive to the right to enable the former to overtake the
latter. (PNP, 2009, p.28)

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 2. OBSERVE ROAD COURTESY

● One must yield to emergency vehicles, pedestrians, trains, vehicles

with right of way, vehicles ahead, large vehicles, uphill traffic, traffic
with momentum, straight traffic, and traffic signs.

● A driver must not do the following acts:

- cutting off other motorists
- rude gestures
- tailgating
- annoying blowing of horn
- obstructions
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 3. PROHIBITED PARKING
● No driver shall park a vehicle, or permit it to stand, whether attended or unattended,
upon a highway in any of the following places:
- within an intersection;
- on a crosswalk;
- within six meters of the intersection of curb lines;
- within four meters of a driveway entrance to a fire station;
- within four meters of a fire hydrant;
- in front of a private driveway;
- on the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked;
- at the curb or edge of the highway; and
- at any place where official signs have been displayed prohibiting parking.

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 4. IF IN DOUBT, DO NOT OVERTAKE
● The driver of a vehicle shall not
drive to the left side of the
centerline of a highway in
overtaking or passing another
vehicle proceeding in the same
direction, unless such left side is
clearly visible, and is free of
oncoming traffic for a sufficient
distance ahead to permit such
overtaking or passing to be made
in safety.
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 4. IF IN DOUBT, DO NOT OVERTAKE

● The vehicle being overtaken is the privilege vehicle. The driver

keeps his lane, reduces or maintain speed and allows the
overtaking vehicle to pass. He shall not increase the speed until
completely passes by the overtaking vehicle.

● The overtaking vehicle is the burden vehicle. The driver signals

his intention, maneuvers at his own risk overtake, and passes
the other vehicle safely when a lane is clear.

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 4. IF IN DOUBT, DO NOT OVERTAKE

● No overtaking is allowed at any railway grade crossing, not at

any intersection of highway unless such intersection or crossing
is controlled by traffic signal, or unless permitted to do so by a
watchman or a peace officer.

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 4. IF IN DOUBT, DO NOT OVERTAKE

● In an expressway with a fast and slow lane or in any divided

roadway, a driver may overtake on either lane.

● No overtaking is allowed in any “no-passing or overtaking zone.”

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 5. THE BUS STOP RULE
● At major bus stops or controlled
stations, loading and unloading
will only be allowed at designated
areas between the markers “Start
of Loading/Unloading Area” and
“End of Loading/Unloading Area.”

● Incoming buses outside the

designated area must observe
“Closed Door Policy.”

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 6. RULES TO PREVENT OR UNTANGLE TRAFFIC JAMS

● Keep opposing lanes and

intersections open.
● There shall be no overtaking
in heavy, slow or stopped
traffic.
● The vehicles should merge
alternately, whenever there
is a road construction.

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 7. OBSERVE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES
● BUS YELLOW LANE - City buses are
the only ones allowed to traverse
the 1st and 2nd yellow lanes or
the first two lanes near the
sidewalk. On the other hand,
private cars and provincial buses
should drive within the 3rd lane.
That means, they will be
apprehended once they enter the
yellow lanes except when they
need to make a turn.
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 7. OBSERVE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES

● TRUCK BAN - From 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. and from 5:00 p.m. -
10:00 p.m. everyday except Sundays and Holidays, no cargo
truck shall be allowed to travel or pass along major roads except
for the alternate roads provided for them.

● CARGO TRUCKS are motor vehicles, intended for carrying cargo

and having license plates of the following classifications: “S”,”T”,
“TC”, “TH”, “TRLB”, “HHB”, and “TRJ,” whether loaded or empty,
having a gross capacity weight of more than 4,500 kilos.
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 7. OBSERVE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES

● COUNTER FLOW–REVERSIBLE LANE - also known as zipper

lane, it allows for motorists to do a ‘zipper merge’. In this case,
drivers can use both traffic lanes of a road until reaching the
defined merge area, which should now converge into a single
lane.

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 7. OBSERVE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES

● ONE-WAY TRAFFIC SCHEME - A one way street only allows

vehicles to move in one direction down the road. ‘No-entry’
signs are used to prevent vehicles travelling the wrong way
along the road, and sometimes road junctions are redesigned to
make it difficult to turn against the flow of traffic.

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 7. OBSERVE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES
● HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE
(HOV) TRAFFIC SCHEME -
traversing EDSA during rush
hour (period between 7:00
a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 6:00
p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) on weekdays
in an effort to lessen the
volume of traffic in Metro
Manila’s main thoroughfare.

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 7. OBSERVE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES

● ODD-EVEN SCHEME - it is a type of number coding scheme,

wherein it works to prevent private vehicles with less than three
passengers that crosses the RE restricted thoroughfares during
PE
morning and afternoon rush hours AL on specific days. Particularly
ED
those vehicles that have a plate that ends with odd numbers
were banned on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, while
those vehicles that have a plate that ends with even number are
banned during Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

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 7. OBSERVE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES
● ODD-EVEN SCHEME - private vehicles that crosses the restricted
thoroughfares during morning and afternoon rush hours (7-
10am and 5-8pm) on specific days. (MMDA Resolution No. 22-14, effective Aug. 15,
2022)

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 8. THE PHILOSOPHY OF PINOY DRIVER
● This phrase means being
considerate to fellow drivers. For
example, in a Rotonda, it is
always a first come first serve
rule; vehicles around the rotunda
have the right-of-way over
vehicles which are just about to
enter. Motorists should observe
equity of the lead vehicle.

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 9. ON PEDESTRIAN RULE
To be Done by Pedestrians
● Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and
signals.
● Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
● If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as
possible.
● Keep alert at all times; don’t be distracted by electronic devices that
take your eyes (and ears) off the road.
● Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, where
drivers expect pedestrians. Look for cars in all directions, including
those turning left or right.
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 9. ON PEDESTRIAN RULE
To be Done by Drivers
● Be aware of pedestrians everywhere, at all times. Safety is a shared
responsibility.
● Observe extra caution when driving in hard-to see conditions, such as
nighttime or bad weather.
● Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise
entering a crosswalk.
● Give way to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the
crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing
pedestrians so they can stop too.

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 9. ON PEDESTRIAN RULE
To be Done by Drivers
● Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people
crossing that you can’t see.
● Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
● Observe the speed limit, especially around people on the street.
● Maintain a slower speed limit in school zones and in neighborhoods
where children are present.
● Be extra cautious when backing up—pedestrians can move into your
path.

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10. SAFETY FIRST

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