Implementation of traffic management in Tuguegarao City

Traffic congestion is a major concern in the city of Tuguegarao-the most populated city in the entire region. As estimated by the Tricycle Regulatory Unit (TRU,) 9, 000 tricycles alone, both registered and unregistered, is one of the concerns that are propelling traffic congestion. According to the 2015 Global Driver Satisfaction Index conducted by Waze, the Philippines is ranked fourth among Asian countries and placed ninth in the world in terms of negative traffic situation. Despite the Philippines’ better-than-expected economic growth, the country stands to lose up to P6 billion a day by 2030 because of worsening traffic jams. In the midst of traffic congestion in the city, thousands of commuters end up late at work, emergency situations are not addressed at the soonest possible time, air pollution is getting worst and economic activities are interrupted. One of the key factors involved in decongesting roads and provides for long and short term benefits, is an effective implementation body that will implement the necessary traffic rules and ordinances provided by the local government. Triangulation Method will be used in this general procedure. The research was conducted within Tuguegarao City. It covered main vicinities, major roads and highways, and barangays in the City where traffic congestion is mostly situated. The respondents of this study were traffic enforcers from the Tuguegarao City Traffic Management Group, drivers of both public and private vehicles and passengers/commuters in Tuguegarao City. The sample was taken through purposive sampling (quota). After collecting the data needed, the researchers tabulated and analysed the gathered data with the help of statistical tools; For the TCTMG; Percentage and frequency Distribution was employed to determine the profile of the TCTMG. It was also used in parts 3, 4, 5 of the questionnaires (existing problems, commonly violated rules, effectiveness of penalties); for the drivers and passengers, percentage and frequency distribution will be used in part 3 (penalties) and weighted mean in parts 1 and 2 (awareness and observation); In testing the significant difference, one-way ANOVA was used in analysing variants; In testing the significant relationship, Pearson Moment Co relational was used in analysing variants. In gathering the data, the researchers scheduled weekends in floating questionnaires to drivers throughout the main roads of Tuguegarao City. At the same time, the researchers float questionnaires to traffic enforcers in the field. The researchers also asked assistance from the sub-office of TCTMG to distribute the remaining questionnaires. Distribution of questionnaires for passengers was made within the campus-students, faculties, among others. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were used to describe the data gathered. The weighted mean was utilized to indicate the level of awareness of the respondents in the implementation of traffic management in Tuguegarao City. A substantial majority of the members of the TCTMG are in the age bracket of 31–40. With respect to the years of experience, most of the members of the TCTMG in the profile variables have little experience in traffic enforcement (this include related experiences outside the TCTMG) and where only employed in the TCTMG in the past 1–5 years. Both passengers and drivers are “Fully Aware” of the traffic rules and ordinances. The over-all level of awareness of the respondents in the implementation of traffic management in Tuguegarao City is “Fully aware”. The information on the implementation of traffic management in Tuguegarao City is properly disseminated. The overall observation of the respondents indicates that they are “Satisfied” indicating a positive outlook in the implementation of traffic management in Tuguegarao City. The existing penalties and corresponding fines set by the city government and are implemented by the TCTMG are effective in deterring traffic violations the implementation of traffic management in Tuguegarao City. The most commonly violated rules are ignoring traffic enforcers, loading and unloading and non-parking and parking in prohibited areas. The increasing volume of vehicles is the most pressing issue faced by the TCTMG. Major concerns include the lack of equipment and the lack of manpower of the TCTMG to properly administer the implementation of traffic management in Tuguegarao City. There is a significant difference on the observations of the respondents in terms of the implementation of the traffic management in Tuguegarao City. On the other hand, there is no significant relationship between the profile of the TCTMG and the implementation of the traffic management in Tuguegarao City. The researchers concluded that there is a crucial need for an effective implementation of traffic management and a research and extension team to study and utilize such future related issues with regards to the changing environment, in addressing traffic congestion in Tuguegarao City. This will be accomplished through the participation of the people and related agencies to promote a progressive medium-sized city.