Access Management and Traffic Impact Assessment

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of managing access to roadside properties on arterial roads?

To facilitate faster transit times

To enhance the aesthetics of the roadways

To increase the number of entrances to properties

To reduce conflict between through traffic and local traffic (correct)

Where should large parking facilities locate their entrance/exits?

Far from high-speed roads with difficult access

Away from high-speed roads but with good access circulation (correct)

Directly on high-speed roads

In the middle of high-speed roads for better visibility

What should be minimized when designing accesses to main roads?

Road widenings

Service roads

Direct accesses (correct)

Traffic signals

Under what circumstances should direct frontage access be permitted on new district distributor roads or higher?

Only in exceptional circumstances Signup and view all the answers

What type of roads should intersect only with roads in the same class or one immediately above or below it in the hierarchy?

Local roads Signup and view all the answers

Which handbook has been developed to standardize the conduct of Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) in the Philippines?

National Center for Transportation Studies Handbook Signup and view all the answers

What should be prioritized in the planning process of transportation projects according to the proposed TIA guidelines?

Pedestrian considerations Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is not emphasized in the TIA Handbooks regarding road safety?

Design aesthetics Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT included in the general scope of works on the proposed guidelines?

Environmental Impact Assessment Signup and view all the answers

What is a standard of significance regarding traffic impacts of a project?

If the projected traffic will cause existing service levels to drop below acceptable levels Signup and view all the answers

What should the chosen design speed of a road project primarily consider?

Anticipated operating speed based on existing road conditions Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is considered when determining a road's design speed?

Function of the road Signup and view all the answers

A higher design speed is likely appropriate for which type of road?

An arterial road such as a national highway Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about speed management is true?

Research shows that lower speeds result in fewer serious crashes. Signup and view all the answers

What is included in the transportation facilities related to public transport?

Bicycle paths Signup and view all the answers

In areas with steep terrain, which design aspect is likely to be adjusted for highways?

Smaller radius curves for safety Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum speed limit for passenger cars on open country roads without 'blind corners'?

80 kph Signup and view all the answers

What speed should a motorist drive on city and municipal streets with light traffic?

30 kph Signup and view all the answers

What factor increases the likelihood of a crash at higher speeds?

Less time to react Signup and view all the answers

In which situation is the maximum speed limit for all vehicles 20 kph?

Through crowded streets Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum ideal capacity of a road as defined in the U.S. Highway Capacity Manual?

2,000 vehicles/hour Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a maximum speed limit for motor trucks and buses on 'through streets' clear of traffic?

30 kph Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT affect the capacity of a roadway?

Driver behavior Signup and view all the answers

What speed limit applies to high-risk pedestrian areas?

40 kph Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the kinetic energy of a vehicle as its speed increases?

It increases rapidly. Signup and view all the answers

What letter designation represents the most ideal road condition in terms of level-of-service?

A Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT a consideration for maximum allowable speeds?

Weather conditions Signup and view all the answers

What has been observed regarding traffic forecasts for expressways in the Philippines?

They are usually optimistic. Signup and view all the answers

What is the key concern when traffic volume exceeds original forecasts on urban arterials?

Compromised traffic safety Signup and view all the answers

What type of analysis is required to establish the capacity of a new road during the design stage?

Actual traffic surveys and future use investigations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about the saturation condition denoted by 'level-of-service F'?

It indicates a maximum capacity situation. Signup and view all the answers

What is likely to happen when traffic on a road exceeds its designed capacity?

Maintenance budgets may be underestimated. Signup and view all the answers

What is the risk of fatality for individuals struck by a vehicle traveling at 50 km/h?

85% Signup and view all the answers

In which area is a speed limit of 40 km/h considered appropriate?

In city center areas with high pedestrian activity Signup and view all the answers

What should be done at the start of a new speed zone?

Install a speed limit sign on both sides of the road Signup and view all the answers

When might a lower speed limit be appropriate?

If the standard of the road is poor Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum speed limit for low risk pedestrian areas?

60 km/h Signup and view all the answers

What is recommended after the initial pairs of speed limit signs in a new speed zone?

Repeater signs should be placed at one kilometer spacing Signup and view all the answers

Why might an 80 km/h or 90 km/h speed limit be adopted on lower standard expressways?

To compensate for hazardous conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of good speed management practice regarding speed limit signs?

To ensure signs are visible and frequently repeated Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Access Management for Roadside Properties

Restrict direct access to high-speed roads for large parking facilities, instead direct access to service roads leading to high-speed roads.
Prioritize service roads or collector roads to funnel traffic to a single T-junction with main roads, minimizing direct access points.
Avoid direct access points at potentially dangerous locations like intersections and bends with poor visibility.

Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA)

The National Center for Transportation Studies (NCTS) in the Philippines developed a TIA Handbook for standardizing TIA practices.
The TIA should cover areas like volume control, traffic forecasts, demand management, congestion mitigation, road safety, and the relationship between land use development and traffic by adhering to Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) guidelines.
Parking demand should be based on local parking indices, not on international practices due to variations in traffic conditions.

Road Safety in TIA

The TIA guidelines emphasize road safety and address aspects like transportation improvement, road geometry, traffic safety, site circulation and parking, transportation facilities for public transport, bicycles, and pedestrians, transportation demand management, neighborhood traffic and parking management, and funding for countermeasures.

Standards of Significance for Traffic Impacts

Projects leading to unacceptable levels of service at intersections and highways need to be evaluated for their traffic impact.
Projects contributing to increased traffic on arterials or intersections operating at unacceptable levels need to be analyzed for potential impact.
Insufficient parking or circulation capacity in the project design for accommodating increased traffic should be addressed.
Safety concerns related to increased traffic or roadway design need to be considered.
Projects lacking adequate provision for bicycle, pedestrian, or public transport access should be reviewed for their impact.

Speed Management in Road Design

Design Speed

Function of the road: Arterial roads typically have higher design speeds.
Anticipated operating speed: Factors like terrain and expected speed for the new facility should be considered.
Anticipated speed limit: Depending on the road environment, the design speed can vary along the route, especially within towns or between towns.
Economics: Cost implications of construction should be factored in.

Speed Implications

Lower speeds generally lead to fewer and less severe crashes due to a shorter reaction time and lower momentum.
A carefully planned speed limit regime can significantly contribute to road safety.

Speed Limits in the Philippines

Speed restrictions in the Philippines are governed by Chapter IV - Traffic Rules of Republic Act No. 4136 'Land Transportation and Traffic Code.'
Maximium speed limits for different road environments and vehicle types:
- Open country roads with no 'blind corners': Passenger cars/motorcycles up to 80 kph, motor trucks/buses up to 50 kph.
- Designated 'through streets' or boulevards with no 'blind corners': Passenger cars/motorcycles up to 40 kph, motor trucks/buses up to 30 kph.
- City and municipal streets with light traffic: Passenger cars, motorcycles, motor trucks/buses up to 30 kph.
- Crowded streets, intersections at 'blind corners', school zones, passing stationary vehicles, etc. : Passenger cars, motorcycles, motor trucks/buses up to 20 kph.

Speed Restrictions for Pedestrian Safety

For high-risk pedestrian areas, like city centers, a speed limit of 40 kph or lower is recommended to reduce the risk of fatal injuries.
A 40 kph speed limit is suitable on roads without footpaths where pedestrians walk on the road.
For low-risk pedestrian areas with separated lanes for non-motorized vehicles, a speed limit of 60 kph might be appropriate.

Speed Restriction Signs

Placing speed limit signs in visible locations and repeating them frequently enhances speed management and informs motorists about speed zones.
Repeating signs, particularly before and after significant intersections, confirms the speed limit for all traffic.

Speed Limit Considerations for Poor Road Standards

Poor road geometry or surface conditions may require a lower speed limit than would be typical until improvements can be made.
Lower speeds compensate for hazardous road conditions.

Road Capacity

Road capacity refers to the maximum number of vehicles that can travel over a road section in one hour under given conditions.
Level of service (LOS): A to F, indicating the ideal condition ('A') and saturated condition ('F').
Factors impacting road capacity: Number of lanes, lane and shoulder width, terrain and gradients, traffic composition, side friction, and intersection capacity.

Traffic Forecasts

Traffic forecasts in the Philippines for expressways are often optimistic, potentially influencing revenue forecasts.
Forecasts for urban arterials might be lower than actual traffic counts, impacting safety and maintenance.

Key Findings

The Philippine TIA guidelines emphasize road safety and efficiency.
A combined approach involving access management, speed control, capacity planning, and comprehensive traffic impact assessments is crucial for road safety and efficient transportation systems.

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Description

Explore the strategies for managing access to roadside properties and the fundamentals of Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) as outlined by the NCTS in the Philippines. Learn about minimizing risks, improving traffic flow, and the importance of adhering to local guidelines for effective parking demand assessment.