Safety Features of Expressways

Cresencio M. MONTALBO Jr., PhD Assoc. Prof., SURP Faculty Affiliate, NCTS University of the Outline of Presentation

„ Profile of Philippine Expressways

„ Characteristics of Expressways

„ Safety Features

„ Safety Statistics

„ Human-Vehicle-Environment

„ Issues & Concerns Profile of Philippine Expressways

„ As of March 2002, there are four toll roads being operated in MM with a total length of 161.4 km. 1) North Expressway (NLE) 2) (SLE) 3) Metro (MMS) 4) Manila-CaviteToll Expressway (MCTE) 5) STAR Tollway

Sections in Operation:

„ 84 km long expressway from Balintawak to Sta. Ines

„ Year of Opening of Present Section: 1982

„ Franchise Period: 30 years from 1977

„ Operator : MNTC South Luzon Expressway

„ Extends 44 km from Nichols to Calamba „ Includes an 850-meter long viaduct which crosses over „ Year of Opening of Present Section: 1982 „ Franchise Period: 30 years from 1977 „ Operator : PNCC Skyway (MMS)

„ Section in operation: 9.3 km long elevated expressway from Buendia to Bicutan and 13.5 km long rehabilitated SLE section from Magallanes to Alabang

„ Year of Opening Present Section: July 1999

„ Toll Road Scheme: BTO

„ Franchise Period: 30 years from 1999

„ Operator: CITRA Manila- Toll Expressway (MCTE)

„ Section in operation: 6.6 km upgraded expressway from Seaside Drive to Zapote

„ Year of Opening Present Section: July 1998

„ Toll Road Scheme: BTO

„ Franchise Period: 35 years from 1998

„ Operator: PEA STAR Tollway

„ Sto. Tomas – Tanauan City – Malvar – Lipa City

„ 20 kms long

„ Operator: Star Infrastructure Development Corporation Existing Expressway Network in MM Characteristics of Expressways (1)

„ High speeds „ High traffic volumes „ Divided by a barrier

„ Guardrail

„ Concrete barrier

„ Grassy median „ Multiple lanes per direction „ Controlled access Characteristics of Expressways (2)

„ High speeds

„ Good pavement conditions

„ Vertical and horizontal sight distances

„ Controlled access

„ No roadside friction

„ No intersections

„ Restriction to slow moving or vulnerable modes

„ Minimum speed limit

„ Restriction to some motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, etc. Characteristics of Expressways (3)

„ High-risk environment

„ Entering

„ Driving on

„ Exiting Safety Features (1)

„ Rumble strips at the road edge

„ Median barriers

„ Guard rails Safety Features (2)

„ Crash barrels (e.g. vinyl liquid or sand-filled drums) at decision points

„ Lane assignment „ Traffic signals (for lane usage) „ Lane markings „ Lighting Road Signs

„ Regulatory signs

„ Warning signs

„ Information signs Other Expressway Features (1)

„ Entrance facilities

„ Entrance ramp

„ Acceleration lane

„ Merge area

„ Exit facilities

„ Deceleration lane

„ Exit ramp Problems and Risk Reduction

Area Problems Risk Reduction

Entrance „Picking the wrong ramp „Search for the proper entrance ramp „Traffic ahead and behind on the ramp „Search ahead, behind and to the

„Sharp curves on the ramp expressway

„Visibility problems ahead and to the expressway „Prepare to adjust speed for blocked ramp „Avoid stopping or backing on ramp

Accelerat „Amount of traffic in land and on expressway „Search ahead and for gap on expressway ion lane „Short acceleration lane „Prepare to adjust speed

„Limited space ahead „Pull ahead onto the shoulder if no merge

„Actions of drivers ahead and behind is available

Merge „Heavy traffic „Search ahead and to the side area „Lack of gap to merge „Prepare to blend speed with traffic

„Traffic slowing or stopping ahead „Change lanes smoothly

„Visibility problems ahead and to the side

Exit lane „Weave lane conflicts „Search ahead and communicate with

„Traffic on exit ramp other driver

„Short deceleration lane „Search ahead, prepare to slow or stop

„Very slow ramp speed „Search rear, slow down „Slow down Other Expressway Features (2)

„ Ramp meter signals

„ Changeable message signs

„ Traffic radio, television, and telephone

„ Internet

„ www.tollways.net

„ www.pncc.net

„ High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes

„ Highway assistance

Location of Accidents

In 2003:

4% 2% Total Number of Reported Accidents: 11% 16,418

National Road 39% Expressway 8% Number of Accidents along Provincial Road City Road Expressway: Municipal Road 6515 ~ (40%) Barangay Road Expressway Length –approx. 150 km. 36% Unsafe? Or just better data collection here than on other roads? Expressway Accidents

4500 700 4000 NLT NLT 600 3500 3000 SLT 500 SLT or Accidents or j 2500 400 2000 Skyway Skyway 300 1500 200

No. of Accidents of No. 1000 100 500 No. of Ma of No.

0 0

2000 2001 2002 2003 2000 2001 2002 2003

YearSource: Traffic Management and Safety Division, PNCCYear Expressways Casualties

1800 NLT 1600 NLT 60 1400 SLT 40 1200 SLT ured Victim s 1000 j 20 Skyway Skyway 800 600

400 N0 o o f F a ta s litie

N o . oIn f 200

0

2000 2001 2002 2003 2000 2001 2002 2003

Year Year

Source: Traffic Management and Safety Division, PNCC For better comparison:

„ Work on accident rates, not on actual figures/numbers Î per million entering vehicles on interchanges (MEV) Î per million vehicle kilometers (MVK) or million vehicle lane-kilometers on long sections Factors Affecting Road Safety

Deficiency in HUMAN one could lead to traffic accidents.

VEHICLE ROAD Issues and Concerns

„ Cost Effectiveness of Safety Features

„ Safety Action Plan of Expressway Operators

„ Measurable objectives

„ Highway improvements, vehicle conditions, IEC, law enforcement, emergency services

„ Safety First …

Life is a Journey