TRAFFIC SOLUTIONS FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

Paradigm Shift Strategy of Inclusive Mobility: The Applicability of Bus

Rapid Transit along Commonwealth Avenue

A BRT Implemented in Jiangsu Province, China

Traffic is one of the woes most people always complain about every day. Here
in Metro Manila, most can say they encounter traffic that may last for hours,
effectively wasting the little free time they have. Quezon City is the most populated
city in the Philippines in 2012, with an estimated population of 3,179,536 people and
an annual growth rate of 2.92%. If urbanization happens, an increase of rural-to-
urban migrations due to reasons such as employment.
This results into a higher population density, thus higher transportation demand
is needed to meet transportation capacity of the area and reduce congestions on
road networks.
One of the solutions proposed to meet the higher transportation demand is the
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). This system or transportation was studied if it would be
viable in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, from Philippine Coconut
Authority(Philcoa) to Fairview City Market(FCM).
WHAT IS BUS RAPID TRANSIT?

BRT system in Bangkok, Thailand

A Bus Rapid Transit can impact the quality of life in the city it is implemented in.
It can affect productivity, health, and safety of the people in the city. It can reduce
travel times for passengers by giving these buses an exclusive, segregated lane.
BRT stations provide prepaid cards and its reloading for a fast boarding and alighting.
It can possibly affect environmental impacts by reducing greenhouse gases by
encouraging people to use the BRT instead of their private vehicles.
By encouraging use of Public transport systems, it can achieve smaller vehicle-
kilometers travelled (VKT), meaning less vehicles travelling on the road. It can
replace older technology and smaller vehicles with the newer, cleaner, high capacity
BRT bus. Its public health it provides is invaluable as it can reduce road fatalities,
and accidents by improving pedestrian crossings, and the fact that less vehicles are
travelling as the BRT is the used transportation in the city.
This system can also change the behavior of bus drivers as they are not compelled
to compete against other buses for passengers and are trained in proper use of the
system.
BRT IN OTHER COUNTRIES
Venter and Vaz (2011) in South Africa : BRT system was very effective of
reducing travel times, avoiding of road fatalities, and environmental issues. The
implementation resulted to benefits totaling $892 million USD. Time savings were
36% of totaled benefits, roughly $331 million. Avoided road fatalities were 27%,
roughly $249 million. Reduced mortality rates by also encouraging walking and the
lessened vehicles on the roads resulted in saving $141 million.
In Jakarta Indonesia, travel time, decrease in traffic congestion, and decrease of
air pollution happened with the implementation of the BRT. 16520 daily trips shifted
to BRT coming from taxis, private vehicles, and motorcycles.
BRT IN THE PHILIPPINES
The first BRT was planned in 2015 in Cebu city. Due to increasing number of
transportation problems in Manila and Quezon City, a study in the social and
environmental impact of BRT in urban areas was also planned.
A study was done in the stretch of Commonwealth Avenue by using descriptive
research method and to identify issues and problems concerning the
Commonwealth avenue using a personality questionnaire. This method was chosen
by tapping into the first-hand opinions form the respondents.
RESULTS OF THE STUDY
The information from 100 respondents consisted of College Students, Different
employees like tricycle drivers, taxi drivers, and professionals. The questions were
related to transportations and the possible application of BRT. Results of some
important questions were as follows:

As shown, Accidents, Air pollution, and congestion were the most problems
respondents encountered.
 The respondents believe that the bus plays a vital role in transportation.

The respondents believe that the bus is more environmentally and socially
beneficial to use than jeepneys.

The respondents were not aware of BRT.

Afterwards, to those who were unaware of the BRT were briefed as to how it works.
 The respondents then mostly agreed to having BRT being beneficial and
convenient to commuters.

CONCLUSION

Based on the information gathered, the researchers concluded the following.

• The BRT is a supplementary solution to the problems encountered in
Commonwealth Avenue. The BRT is high applicable in the said highway. It
can be physically built and tested.
• The BRT can lessen car accidents, improve travel time of commuters and
car owners.
• The BRT can aid new development of public mass transport.
• BRT denotes less carbon gas emissions in the city.
• BRT can promote the use and improvement of public mass transportation.

For further readings and complete information, the whole article can be
found at:
http://www.dynamicglobalsoft.com/easts2015/program/pdf_files/1313.pdf