'Infrastructure to move people, not cars, will solve traffic congestion' | ABS-CBN
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'Infrastructure to move people, not cars, will solve traffic congestion'
'Infrastructure to move people, not cars, will solve traffic congestion'
Kenneth Roland Guda
Published Oct 13, 2024 02:41 PM PHT
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Updated Oct 14, 2024 02:17 PM PHT
Mobility experts agree that infra projects such as the NLEX Connector Road worsen traffic congestion in the long run. Their proposal: develop public and active transportation.
(Part 2 of 2. Read Part 1: 'An expressway rises as Manileños homes disappear' here)
MANILA — On the morning of March 27, 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stood before an audience of officials, media, and guests, his expression one of pride and optimism. The occasion was the inauguration of the NLEX Connector Road—a project intended to alleviate Metro Manila’s notorious traffic congestion.
MANILA — On the morning of March 27, 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stood before an audience of officials, media, and guests, his expression one of pride and optimism. The occasion was the inauguration of the NLEX Connector Road—a project intended to alleviate Metro Manila’s notorious traffic congestion.
Marcos marveled at the prospect of drastically reducing travel times between Caloocan and Manila.
Marcos marveled at the prospect of drastically reducing travel times between Caloocan and Manila.
“We looked at each other when they said (travel time from) Caloocan to Manila will be five minutes. All our lives, we never thought we’d see this. Maybe our dreams will now be fulfilled,” the President said, breaking away from his prepared remarks to express his excitement over the potential of the new expressway.
“We looked at each other when they said (travel time from) Caloocan to Manila will be five minutes. All our lives, we never thought we’d see this. Maybe our dreams will now be fulfilled,” the President said, breaking away from his prepared remarks to express his excitement over the potential of the new expressway.
At the time of the inauguration, only the five-kilometer section connecting Caloocan to España had been completed, yet he already hailed it as “another milestone.”
At the time of the inauguration, only the five-kilometer section connecting Caloocan to España had been completed, yet he already hailed it as “another milestone.”
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He emphasized that the project represented an important alternative route between the northern and southern expressways of the capital, a crucial link in Metro Manila’s growing road network.
He emphasized that the project represented an important alternative route between the northern and southern expressways of the capital, a crucial link in Metro Manila’s growing road network.
The benefits of this new expressway seemed obvious: faster travel times, less congestion, and improved mobility for motorists. Almost immediately, drivers took to social media, sharing their experiences on the freshly opened tollway.
The benefits of this new expressway seemed obvious: faster travel times, less congestion, and improved mobility for motorists. Almost immediately, drivers took to social media, sharing their experiences on the freshly opened tollway.
For a metropolis constantly plagued by traffic jams, the early reviews were overwhelmingly positive, giving many hope that the city’s traffic nightmare could finally be alleviated.
For a metropolis constantly plagued by traffic jams, the early reviews were overwhelmingly positive, giving many hope that the city’s traffic nightmare could finally be alleviated.
These short-term benefits are undeniable, but mobility experts caution that expanding road capacity is not the sustainable solution to Metro Manila’s traffic woes. In fact, traffic congestion all over the metropolis has worsened despite the addition of new roads and a skyway.
These short-term benefits are undeniable, but mobility experts caution that expanding road capacity is not the sustainable solution to Metro Manila’s traffic woes. In fact, traffic congestion all over the metropolis has worsened despite the addition of new roads and a skyway.
Commuters ride a bus from Commonwealth Avenue on March 16, 2020. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
Commuters ride a bus from Commonwealth Avenue on March 16, 2020. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN NewsADVANTAGES
Experts agreed that elevated expressways like the NLEX Connector Road do bring clear advantages.
Experts agreed that elevated expressways like the NLEX Connector Road do bring clear advantages.
“Expressways connect places that would not have been connected before and could be used potentially by a majority of people who wouldn’t have had that opportunity if the highway was not there,” said Derlie Mateo-Babiano, associate professor of urban planning at the Melbourne School of Design.
“Expressways connect places that would not have been connected before and could be used potentially by a majority of people who wouldn’t have had that opportunity if the highway was not there,” said Derlie Mateo-Babiano, associate professor of urban planning at the Melbourne School of Design.
She pointed out that the economic benefits of such infrastructure cannot be ignored, particularly in Metro Manila, where the road facilitates the transfer of goods and services between the northern and southern regions of Luzon.
She pointed out that the economic benefits of such infrastructure cannot be ignored, particularly in Metro Manila, where the road facilitates the transfer of goods and services between the northern and southern regions of Luzon.
Transportation engineer Jose Regin Regidor, a professor and director at the Institute of Civil Engineering at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, further explained that the NLEX Connector Road plays a critical role in easing freight movement.
Transportation engineer Jose Regin Regidor, a professor and director at the Institute of Civil Engineering at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, further explained that the NLEX Connector Road plays a critical role in easing freight movement.
“The (NLEX Connector Road) connects to proposed ramps towards the harbor (Manila North Harbor). One of the objectives of this expressway is to divert trucks from using local roads,” Regidor said, highlighting how the road enables commercial trucks to move easily between Manila North Harbor and the Skyway, bypassing congested city streets.
“The (NLEX Connector Road) connects to proposed ramps towards the harbor (Manila North Harbor). One of the objectives of this expressway is to divert trucks from using local roads,” Regidor said, highlighting how the road enables commercial trucks to move easily between Manila North Harbor and the Skyway, bypassing congested city streets.
In fact, as far back as 2011, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had noted the pressing need for a connector road to link the industrial areas in southern Metro Manila with northern regions like Tarlac and Subic.
In fact, as far back as 2011, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had noted the pressing need for a connector road to link the industrial areas in southern Metro Manila with northern regions like Tarlac and Subic.
“The physical distribution from an industrial complex at the south part of Manila to Manila Port is hindered by the fact that the section, approximately 13 km long between NLEX and SLEX (or Skyway), has not been built,” JICA’s report stated. The new expressway, it argued, was crucial for smoothing out bottlenecks in the freight distribution system, particularly around the central parts of Metro Manila.
“The physical distribution from an industrial complex at the south part of Manila to Manila Port is hindered by the fact that the section, approximately 13 km long between NLEX and SLEX (or Skyway), has not been built,” JICA’s report stated. The new expressway, it argued, was crucial for smoothing out bottlenecks in the freight distribution system, particularly around the central parts of Metro Manila.
CAR-CENTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE
But while these short-term benefits are undeniable, mobility experts caution that expanding road capacity is not a sustainable solution to Metro Manila’s traffic woes.
But while these short-term benefits are undeniable, mobility experts caution that expanding road capacity is not a sustainable solution to Metro Manila’s traffic woes.
“Evidence has shown that when you build highways or infrastructure for cars, it attracts more cars,” explained Babiano. While expressways like the NLEX Connector Road can indeed reduce traffic in the short term, experts have warned that such projects often provide only temporary relief. Worse still, they argued, elevated tollways could exacerbate the very problems they aim to solve.
“Evidence has shown that when you build highways or infrastructure for cars, it attracts more cars,” explained Babiano. While expressways like the NLEX Connector Road can indeed reduce traffic in the short term, experts have warned that such projects often provide only temporary relief. Worse still, they argued, elevated tollways could exacerbate the very problems they aim to solve.
The phenomenon they referred to is called “induced demand”—a concept where new roads attract more vehicles, which in turn leads to congestion on the very infrastructure designed to reduce it.
The phenomenon they referred to is called “induced demand”—a concept where new roads attract more vehicles, which in turn leads to congestion on the very infrastructure designed to reduce it.
This phenomenon is perhaps best illustrated by the case of the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 (Skyway 3). Launched in 2021 under the Public Private Partnership program, the elevated tollway was also touted as a solution to ease traffic congestion.
This phenomenon is perhaps best illustrated by the case of the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 (Skyway 3). Launched in 2021 under the Public Private Partnership program, the elevated tollway was also touted as a solution to ease traffic congestion.
Yet, just a few years later, Skyway 3 experiences severe congestion during peak hours, as noted by the Toll Regulatory Board. Social media is filled with posts from frustrated drivers complaining about the gridlock.
Yet, just a few years later, Skyway 3 experiences severe congestion during peak hours, as noted by the Toll Regulatory Board. Social media is filled with posts from frustrated drivers complaining about the gridlock.
“Skyway 3 was built to expand road capacity,” said transportation engineer Syrus Gomari of Mobility Vision+. “But if that was the entire focus, it was not able to solve any traffic issues. Because of induced demand, if you just expand something without changing behavior, everyone will default to using cars because it seems like the ‘fastest’ way. But during peak hours, it’s no longer the fastest.”
“Skyway 3 was built to expand road capacity,” said transportation engineer Syrus Gomari of Mobility Vision+. “But if that was the entire focus, it was not able to solve any traffic issues. Because of induced demand, if you just expand something without changing behavior, everyone will default to using cars because it seems like the ‘fastest’ way. But during peak hours, it’s no longer the fastest.”
Gomari, Regidor, and Babiano agreed that the deeper problem lies in Metro Manila’s lack of viable public transportation options. For many Filipinos who can afford it, owning and driving a car remains more practical and desirable than using public transport, which is often unreliable and overcrowded.
Gomari, Regidor, and Babiano agreed that the deeper problem lies in Metro Manila’s lack of viable public transportation options. For many Filipinos who can afford it, owning and driving a car remains more practical and desirable than using public transport, which is often unreliable and overcrowded.
"Cars are still an aspiration among people, a status symbol. Even motorcycles, they are often not just for utility," Regidor noted.
"Cars are still an aspiration among people, a status symbol. Even motorcycles, they are often not just for utility," Regidor noted.
Despite severe traffic congestion, car ownership continues to rise. Data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) revealed that private vehicle sales increased by 6.6 percent in August 2024 compared to the same period the previous year. The growing number of vehicles on the road only worsens congestion, despite the construction of new expressways and road expansions.
Despite severe traffic congestion, car ownership continues to rise. Data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) revealed that private vehicle sales increased by 6.6 percent in August 2024 compared to the same period the previous year. The growing number of vehicles on the road only worsens congestion, despite the construction of new expressways and road expansions.
Increasing traffic between Metro Manila and adjoining provinces, 1996–2027. (Maps from Project for Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan for Metro Manila (2022) by JICA, MMDA. Source: Prepared by JPT based on MMUTIS and MUCEP data
Increasing traffic between Metro Manila and adjoining provinces, 1996–2027. (Maps from Project for Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan for Metro Manila (2022) by JICA, MMDA. Source: Prepared by JPT based on MMUTIS and MUCEP data WORSENING CONGESTION
A comprehensive study submitted by JICA in December 2022 pointed out that, despite the increasing number of roads, traffic in Metro Manila has only worsened.
A comprehensive study submitted by JICA in December 2022 pointed out that, despite the increasing number of roads, traffic in Metro Manila has only worsened.
The report noted that while travel demand increased by 26 percent between 2012 and 2020, the time people spent traveling also grew. “People traveled shorter distances, but they spent more time traveling due to traffic congestion,” the report stated.
The report noted that while travel demand increased by 26 percent between 2012 and 2020, the time people spent traveling also grew. “People traveled shorter distances, but they spent more time traveling due to traffic congestion,” the report stated.
Metro Manila continues to rank among the cities with the worst traffic globally. The TomTom Traffic Index placed the metropolis as the most congested out of 387 cities in 55 countries, with an average travel time of 25 minutes and 30 seconds for just 10 kilometers—worse than Lima, Peru, which ranks second.
Metro Manila continues to rank among the cities with the worst traffic globally. The TomTom Traffic Index placed the metropolis as the most congested out of 387 cities in 55 countries, with an average travel time of 25 minutes and 30 seconds for just 10 kilometers—worse than Lima, Peru, which ranks second.
But despite JICA’s long history of identifying the traffic problems in Metro Manila, its plans have largely focused on expanding roads and highways.
But despite JICA’s long history of identifying the traffic problems in Metro Manila, its plans have largely focused on expanding roads and highways.
In 2017, JICA signed an agreement with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to outline major highway projects under the Philippine government’s Masterplan for High Standard Highway Network Development, which includes the NLEX Connector Road.
In 2017, JICA signed an agreement with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to outline major highway projects under the Philippine government’s Masterplan for High Standard Highway Network Development, which includes the NLEX Connector Road.
Economist Sonny Africa of the IBON Foundation observed that JICA has increasingly shifted its focus toward funding railway projects. However, he pointed out that JICA’s continued support for road construction aligns with Japan’s economic interests, particularly in promoting its automotive industry, which benefits from increased car ownership in the Philippines.
Economist Sonny Africa of the IBON Foundation observed that JICA has increasingly shifted its focus toward funding railway projects. However, he pointed out that JICA’s continued support for road construction aligns with Japan’s economic interests, particularly in promoting its automotive industry, which benefits from increased car ownership in the Philippines.
Gomari and other experts argue that the key to resolving Metro Manila’s traffic crisis is adopting a people-centered approach. “The only way we can increase mobility in the metropolitan area is to make it easier through higher-capacity transport modes, like railway systems and bus rapid transit,” he said.
Gomari and other experts argue that the key to resolving Metro Manila’s traffic crisis is adopting a people-centered approach. “The only way we can increase mobility in the metropolitan area is to make it easier through higher-capacity transport modes, like railway systems and bus rapid transit,” he said.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, ACTIVE MOBILITY
But building railway systems is costly and time-consuming, Regidor added. “Transportation system development needs to be comprehensive. But rail-based transport is expensive, and because of delays, it’s becoming even more costly.”
But building railway systems is costly and time-consuming, Regidor added. “Transportation system development needs to be comprehensive. But rail-based transport is expensive, and because of delays, it’s becoming even more costly.”
Gomari emphasized that Metro Manila’s lack of active transport options, such as safe walking and cycling infrastructure, also worsens mobility issues. Despite the introduction of bike lanes during the pandemic, many streets remain unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists. "It has to begin with walking. All our streets, without exception, have to be walkable,” he insisted.
Gomari emphasized that Metro Manila’s lack of active transport options, such as safe walking and cycling infrastructure, also worsens mobility issues. Despite the introduction of bike lanes during the pandemic, many streets remain unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists. "It has to begin with walking. All our streets, without exception, have to be walkable,” he insisted.
Despite the growing number of cars sold, JICA's 2022 data shows that 59.9% of trips in Metro Manila are still made using public transportation, while only 40.1% are by private vehicles. This highlights the urgent need for more sustainable public and active transport solutions, which urban planners insist must be part of a comprehensive strategy to address the city's traffic crisis.
Despite the growing number of cars sold, JICA's 2022 data shows that 59.9% of trips in Metro Manila are still made using public transportation, while only 40.1% are by private vehicles. This highlights the urgent need for more sustainable public and active transport solutions, which urban planners insist must be part of a comprehensive strategy to address the city's traffic crisis.
Ultimately, unless Metro Manila invests in people-centered urban planning and active transportation infrastructure, the five-minute trips that President Marcos dreams about will remain out of reach for most residents. ###
Ultimately, unless Metro Manila invests in people-centered urban planning and active transportation infrastructure, the five-minute trips that President Marcos dreams about will remain out of reach for most residents. ###
(This story was made possible by a grant from Internews’ Earth Journalism Network through the Asian Center for Journalism at the Ateneo de Manila University).
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