INTRODUCTION

Signs are prominent elements of the urban landscape; they display

messages to the public, orient people in complex environments; act as social
landmarks, and serve as a means of cultural expression. Despite the
omnipresence of signs, designers have yet to capitalize on their potential
urban spaces as creative design for enhancing a sense of place. This study
explores several quantitative methods to learn about the effects produced by
signs in the urban landscape specifically in traffic condition.

PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Map: Ortigas Avenue Extension

One alternative route for my daily commute is Ortigas Avenue

Extension, Cainta Rizal. Causing much traffic congestion these past weeks
and especially these days are the section between Brookside Subdivision and
Volley Golf and Country Club. Congestion is usually experienced because of
the road works, but these are mostly due to traffic interruptions because of
vehicles turning to and from the many subdivisions whose access/egress line
up along the said road. The section between Brookside and Valley Golf is
being raised. The section is a low portion of the road and is almost always
flooded whenever there are heavy rains due also in part to the creek in the
area. The westbound side of that section is completed and the contractor is
now working on the eastbound side. The section is a wider segment of Ortigas
and its possible to close one lane at a time while having 2 lanes usable for
traffic along either side of the road.

The more severe congestion is along the westbound side where another
contractor is working on drainage between Junction and Brookside. The
section in front of the RRCG bus depot only has one lane usable by traffic and
so westbound traffic is regularly backed up for hundreds of meters. It took 30
minutes to pass the area.

Eastbound traffic splits into two lanes separated by road works

Section near Hunters ROTC Road (right where the grey SUV is coming from) and
STI, and approaching Valley Golf.
2

Traffic is so severe along Ortigas Ave. Extension that surely a lot of

people are looking for alternate routes. Those from Antipolo, Taytay and
towns along the Manila East Road would likely take the routes utilizing the
floodway including Highway 2000 and C-6. Others would find the longer route
via Sumulong Highway and/or Marcos Highway to be worth the time and fuel.
Hopefully, work will be continuous along Ortigas and roadworks will be
completed before we are deep into the typhoon season this year.

BODY OF ANALYSIS
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Most of the congestion is caused by only a few types of disruptive behavior:

Public bus/jeepney behavior

Turn-lane behavior
Intersection behavior
Pedestrian behavior

EXAMPLE:

Pedestrians cross wherever

and whenever they want

EFFECTS OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION

Time is being waste

Pollution
Resource is being waste
Safety are compromised

SOLUTION FOR TRAFFIC CONGESTIONS

Improve traffic controls repaint or provide crosswalks, post speed limit

signs, signalize pedestrian crossings, clarify and simplify traffic control,
as appropriate
Provide safety vests to crossing guards/student valets to reinforce
authority.
Redesign circulation by designating one-way flow and pull-through
lanes, or by realigning or constricting automobile access.
Proper location of loading and unloading zone.

CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATIONS

'We' in this case refers to both the road users and the road managers.
We don't follow, or effectively enforce, the basic rules which are designed to
ensure a safe, efficient flow of traffic. We don't respect lane markings
(including turn lanes), we ignore traffic signs and signals, and we routinely
drive in ways that are both dangerous and disruptive to the flow of traffic.
Pedestrians cross wherever they want, and they stand in the roadway in large
numbers while waiting for public transportation. Public buses and jeepneys
operate aggressively and dangerously. Each of these behaviors, repeated at
thousands of points across roadways every day, disrupt the free flow of traffic
and cause the congestion and chaos that we have come to accept as normal.
'Imposing order' actually means 'imposing discipline'. In any
cooperative system, such as a traffic system, self-discipline is preferred. Selfdisciplined drivers generally follow the rules on their own, freeing enforcers to
focus their attention on a smaller number of violators. No amount of pleading,
prodding or motivational videos will cause drivers to start following rules
which, in their minds, offer no competitive advantage. Self-discipline may be
preferred, but it will take enforced discipline to get us there.

REFERENCES
http://d0ctrine.com/2015/06/26/ortigas-avenue-extension-roadworks/
http://www.investphilippines.info/arangkada/traffic-solutions-for-metromanila-a-realistic-approach/
https://prezi.com/tuwd21kmxovt/thesis/
http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-1012101102114/unrestricted/Pecquet_thesis.pdf