Safety Features of Expressways
Cresencio M. MONTALBO Jr., PhD Assoc. Prof., SURP Faculty Affiliate, NCTS University of the Philippines 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 Luzon Expressway (NLE) 2) South Luzon Expressway (SLE) 3) Metro Manila Skyway (MMS) 4) Manila-CaviteToll Expressway (MCTE) 5) STAR Tollway North Luzon Expressway
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 Alabang Year of Opening of Present Section: 1982 Franchise Period: 30 years from 1977 Operator : PNCC Metro Manila 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-Cavite 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