Road Safety Risk Assessment and Analysis of Traffic Accidents in Cebu South Coastal Road Tunnel

**A ROAD SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN CEBU SOUTH COASTAL ROAD TUNNEL VIA SERGIO OSMEÑA JR. BOULEVARD, CEBU CITY** A Study Proposal Presented to the Department of Civil Engineering Cebu Institute Technology - University Cebu City, Philippines In Partial Fulfillment...

**A ROAD SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN CEBU SOUTH COASTAL ROAD TUNNEL VIA SERGIO OSMEÑA JR. BOULEVARD, CEBU CITY** A Study Proposal Presented to the Department of Civil Engineering Cebu Institute Technology - University Cebu City, Philippines In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree **Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering** By **Arcenal, Christ Jeariel A.** **Bello, Joana Marie C.** **Bucag, Christine Ann C.** **Daugdaug, Angela Kaye E.** **Espino, Mark Angelo T.** **Ramiso, Raphael Louis S.** **APPROVAL SHEET** This a study proposal entitled, **"A ROAD SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN CEBU SOUTH COASTAL ROAD TUNNEL VIA SERGIO OSMEÑA JR. BOULEVARD, CEBU CITY"**, prepared and submitted by **Christ Jeariel A. Arcenal, Joana Marie C. Bello, Christine Ann C. Bucag, Angela Kaye E. Daugdaug, Mark Angelo T. Espino,** and **Raphael Louis S. Ramiso** in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree **Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering** is hereby recommended for approval. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Panelist Panelist Date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ This proposal is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of **Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering**. **Engr. Rusty Q. Alegre Engr. Felrem G. Lor** Thesis Coordinator Chair, Civil Engineering Department Date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **Dr. Evangeline C. Evangelista** Dean, College of Engineering and Architecture Date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ **ABSTRACT** Road traffic accidents, the 8th leading cause of death worldwide, have caused roughly 1.19 million fatalities and about 50 million related injuries. These have become a problem globally for years now. Road traffic injuries and fatalities have practically caused substantial losses in the economy. Locally, road traffic accidents are prevalent in Cebu, particularly in a certain part of the city where the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) Tunnel is erected. The CSCR Tunnel was designed to connect the South Road Properties (SRP) and the North Reclamation Area through Sergio Osmeña Jr. Boulevard, and this tunnel is often used by a lot of people since it is very convenient to avoid traffic in the city.        With this, the researchers decided to conduct a road safety risk assessment and analysis of the traffic accidents in the CSCR Tunnel and Sergio Osmeña Jr. Boulevard. The study aims to determine the existing road devices that mitigate accidents, promote safety, and simultaneously adhere to the design standards from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the European Directive of 2004. Additionally, the study also aims to identify the areas that comply with the minimum safety requirements for roads and tunnels, and identify the stations considered as accident hotspots.  This study employs the use of a descriptive research approach to analyze primary and secondary data acquired from the actual inspection, traffic volume count, general attributes, and accident rates of the roadway and tunnel, respectively. The data acquired will be analyzed and assessed through the use of improvised checklists for the roadway and tunnel, a tally sheet for the speed of vehicles, and a map generated from the Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS). Hereby, the results would likely help the researchers answer the questions and generate recommendations for further studies.   **TABLE OF CONTENTS** **Page** **TITLE PAGE i** **APPROVAL SHEET ii** **ABSTRACT iii** **TABLE OF CONTENTS iv** **LIST OF FIGURES v** **CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION** 1. Rationale 1 2. Statement of the Problem 6 4. Scope and Limitations 7 5. Definition of Terms 8 **CHAPTER 2 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND** 9 **CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY** 3.1 Research Design 17 3.2 Research Environment 17 3.3 Research Instruments/Equipment 18 3.4 Research Procedure 19 **BIBLIOGRAPHY** 21 **APPENDIX A TURNITIN/SIMILARITY INDEX** 24 **APPENDIX B CURRICULUM VITAE** 26 **LIST OF FIGURES** **Figure Page** 1. Conceptual Diagram of the Study 5 2. *Sergio Osmeña Jr. Boulevard to Cebu South Coastal* *Road Tunnel* 17 3. Interval in every 1000-m distance 18 4. Abstract Turnitin Originality Report 24 5. Chapter 1 Turnitin Originality Report 24 6. Chapter 2 Turnitin Originality Report 24 7. Chapter 3 Turnitin Originality Report 25 **CHAPTER 1** **INTRODUCTION** **1.1 Rationale** ** **Safety has always been a priority for everyone. It has been considered one of the most important things to be mindful of when doing something. It has significantly affected the lives of many, for many casualties have already been recorded due to the lack or absence of safety in workplaces, schools, homes, and significantly in the roadways. As a consequence of the lack or absence of safety, a considerable number of accidents have been taking place almost every single day in different parts of the world. Accidents most often happen unplanned, unintended, and unexpected, as a result of the safety risks and hazards in the environment. Additionally, numerous factors can be conducive to the occurrence of accidents (Croner-i Limited, n.d.).         According to the World Health Organization (2023), roughly 1.19 million fatalities have been reported on account of accidents on the roadways. Road traffic injuries have caused a substantial number of economic losses to the nation, which is partly due to the losses acquired from the treatment costs of the fatalities and the injured ones. A fair amount of risk factors can contribute to occurrences of road traffic accidents, as they differ depending on the environment of an area. Because countless road traffic accidents occur in various parts of the world, it is of the essence that the citizens take proper actions in putting an end to road accidents and mitigating further occurrences of traffic accidents on the roadways. It is beneficial in building a better world and laying the foundations for a safer environment for everyone, especially for future generations.        Michael Bloomberg, the Global Ambassador of the World Health Organization for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, have significantly pointed out in one of his speeches that road traffic accidents have already become the 8^th^ leading cause of death in a global context, how road traffic accidents have caused roughly around 1.35 million lives each year leading up to about 50 million injuries and how all those could have been preventable. Moreover, according to the World Health Organization's Global Status Report on Road Safety for 2018, world leaders have committed, as one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to decrease the number of deaths from road accidents by half by the year 2020, three years later, there is still insufficient progress from the aforementioned goal, as it needs more mediations and funding for the goal to be fully attained (World Health Organization, 2018).   In the Philippines, road traffic accidents and casualties have significantly increased as the years pass by. Recorded data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) have implied that road traffic casualties increased by 39% from 7,938 deaths in 2011 to 11,096 deaths in 2021. Road traffic injuries are a major cause of death among children and adolescents. The number of casualties decreased in 2020 most likely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but once again increased in 2021 when lockdowns and restrictions were eased (Junio, R. A., 2023).        Locally, road traffic accidents are prevalent in Cebu, especially in a part of the city, specifically the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) Tunnel. The CSCR Tunnel, the first road tunnel in the Philippines, is a two-way, four-lane 0.97km divided highway designed to connect the South Road Properties (SRP) and the North Reclamation Area through the Sergio Osmeña Jr. Boulevard. The tunnel became fully operational to the public in 2010 (Philippines Tour Guide, 2010). Since then, various accidents have occurred in the tunnel, with different causes and factors. The tunnel has been considered accident-prone due to various traffic accidents in the previous years.        Accidents along the CSCR tunnel have often been reportedly occurring every year ever since it opened to the public in 2010. Within the last 5 years, from 2019 to 2024, accidents have happened in different forms involving the different transport groups. Minor accidents between motorcycles and cars were regularly occurring in the tunnel in 2019. In 2020, a fatal accident involving a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and six motorcycles claimed the life of a woman while 7 others were injured (Erram and Lauro, 2020). As a result, a recommendation about banning motorcycles from accessing the tunnel was made since numerous accidents have already occurred involving motorcycles (Sitchon, 2020). In 2021, another mishap happened along the entrance of the CSCR tunnel which resulted in the injury of several people. In 2022, a five-vehicle pileup among container trucks, an SUV, a sedan, and a multi-cab pickup inside the tunnel resulted in the injury of three people (Sararana, 2022). In 2023, another fatal accident involving a motorcycle and a tanker truck resulted in the death of the motorcycle driver along the CSCR viaduct just along the stretch of the exit of the tunnel (SunStar, 2023). The previously mentioned accidents are not even close to the overall number of accidents that happened in the entirety of the operation of the CSCR tunnel, these are just some of the notable accidents that happened within the last 5 years yet it can already be observed that the CSCR tunnel is indeed exposed to traffic accidents.        Herewith, this study focuses mainly on the assessment of the general attributes of the roadways in Sergio Osmeña Jr. Boulevard and the tunnel in Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR), as well as the analysis of traffic accidents within the roadway and the tunnel. This study aims to determine the existing road devices that mitigate accidents, promote safety, and simultaneously adhere to the design standards from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Highway Safety Design Manual and the European Directive of 2004 on Minimum Safety Requirements for Tunnels. Additionally, this study also aims to identify the areas that comply with the minimum safety requirements for roads and tunnels, and identify the stations considered as accident hotspots. This study employs the use of a descriptive research approach to analyze primary and secondary data acquired from the actual inspection, traffic volume count, general attributes, and accident rates of the roadway and tunnel, respectively. The data acquired will be analyzed and assessed with the aid of improvised checklists for the roadway and tunnel, a tally sheet for the speed of vehicles, and a map generated from the Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS). Hence, the results would likely help the researchers answer the questions and generate recommendations for further studies.   **1.2 Conceptual Framework** A diagram of a process Description automatically generated **1.3 Statement of the Problem** This study aims to assess the general attributes of the roadways in Sergio Osmeña Jr. Boulevard and the tunnel in the Cebu South Road Properties (CSCR), as well as analyze the information on the traffic accidents within the CSCR Tunnel and along the stretch of Sergio Osmeña Jr. Boulevard, Cebu City. Specifically, the study aims to answer the following questions: **1.4 Significance of the Study** The study aims to provide a significant opportunity to promote the safety of road users as it concerns the rising number of casualties in the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) Tunnel along the Sergio Osmeña Jr. Boulevard. The findings of the study and the outcome of this assessment could benefit and be highly significant, particularly to road users, government, institutions, and future researchers as follows: **Road Users.** The study will help all types of road users, gain information and knowledge about the overall scenario of road accidents and educate vehicle drivers, motorists, and pedestrians about traffic safety on a particular road. **Government.** The study will act as the basis for providing better, safer, and more efficient road designs and upgraded structures. As a result, the number of road accidents will lessen in specific places in specific periods. **Institutions.** The success of the study will benefit the institution by demonstrating how its curriculum helped the students to become more capable and proactive. **Future Researchers.** This study could be used as the primary source of information and can be used as the foundation for their research in the same area. **1.5 Scope and Limitations** **Black -- Original, Orange -- Modified Original, Red -- Adding new scope** The study focuses on analyzing road traffic accidents and assessing safety risks in a specific location. The location of the study is the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) tunnel, which spans 1.44 km and includes an additional stretch of 1.65 km leading up to Sergio Osmena Jr. Boulevard. The current study shall be a comprehensive one that involves the observation, recording, and assessment of the existing road and tunnel in relation to the DPWH Highway Safety Design Standards and the European Directive of 2004 on Minimum Safety Requirements for Tunnels. The research will be focused on the road and tunnel attributes which will be examined in detail through the checklist provided that is befitting to the area of the study. Moreover, the research will also be focused on the recorded accidents within the roadway and the tunnel that will be used in the generation of a tally sheet for the speed of vehicles and a QGIS map for the presentation of accident-prone areas. It is to be noted that this study will be limited to the accidents that happened between the years 2019 and 2024 and will not be extended beyond this period. The study is centered on the occurrences of accidents on the roadway and the tunnel, which is a topic of paramount importance. The study focused on analyzing road traffic accidents and assessing safety risks in a specific location. The location of the study was the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) tunnel, which spanned 1.44 km and included an additional stretch of 1.65 km leading up to Sergio Osmena Jr. Boulevard. The study was comprehensive and involved the observation, recording, and assessment of the existing road and tunnel in relation to the DPWH Highway Safety Design Standards and the European Directive of 2004 on Minimum Safety Requirements for Tunnels. The research focused on the road and tunnel attributes, which were examined in detail through the checklist provided that was befitting to the area of the study. Moreover, the research also concentrated on the recorded accidents within the roadway and the tunnel that were used in the generation of a tally sheet for the speed of vehicles and a QGIS map for the presentation of accident-prone areas. It is to be noted that this study was limited to the accidents that occurred between the years 2019 and 2024 and was not extended beyond this period. The study centered on the occurrences of accidents on the roadway and the tunnel, which was a topic of paramount importance. The data collected included sections without motorcycles due to the ongoing rehabilitation of the CSCR tunnel, which took effect on July 18, 2024. During that period, some lanes were partially closed, allowing only four-wheeled vehicles and larger to access the tunnel. In the later sections, the researchers focused solely on the tunnel's Detailed Engineering Design (DED) rather than its structure in comparison to the safety design standards outlined in the European Directive of 2004 on Minimum Safety Requirements for Tunnels, as actual observation was restricted for the safety of the researchers. **1.6 Definition of Terms** This section of the research paper is devoted to the terms that are used in the study and are defined operationally for a better understanding. **CHAPTER 2** **THEORETICAL BACKGROUND** Road traffic accidents are nothing out of the ordinary in our day-to-day lives. They exist in almost every single part of the world and in the most unexpected ways. These accidents have already claimed the lives of many in various situations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 1.19 million lives have been claimed globally in a single year because of different road traffic accidents. In addition, about 20-50 million people are left with non-fatal injuries. Road traffic accidents are among the primary causes of casualties for people of different ages around the world. One-third of the overall casualties are from children between 5-9 years old, while two-thirds of them are from adults 18-59 years old. For low and middle-income countries, surprisingly 9 out of 10 road traffic casualties are recorded despite their low number of vehicle counts compared to higher-income countries. Road traffic accidents do not only induce hardship to humanity but they also increase the economic impact of the nation and the families of the casualties.        Road traffic accidents most likely lead to road traffic injuries (RTI), which have become the primary causes of unforeseen injuries. These RTIs significantly jeopardize the economy of a nation and its citizens. Despite this being a threat to the nation, it is still given little to no attention from public officials, particularly in low and middle-income countries that are struggling to cope with their local modernization and mobilization. This was given less attention by various organizations, not until the year 2010 when the United Nations (UN) General Assembly stepped up and initiated the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 intending to minimize and mitigate the RTIs globally by 2020. Thereafter, the realization of road safety and its correlation with society and the economy has slowly come to fruition. More road safety campaigns locally and globally have risen to new heights after the initiative of the UN (Bachani, et al., 2017). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023), about 3,700 lives are taken every day due to road traffic accidents. These accidents often comprise the most common transport groups like cars, buses, trucks, bicycles, motorcycles, and pedestrians. Moreover, it has been implied that road traffic accidents now have a higher mortality rate than the deadliest diseases like HIV/AIDS. It is determined that deadly and non-deadly road traffic injuries may generate a global impact on the economy that is worth around 1.8 trillion dollars for roughly 15 years (2015-2030), which is approximately comparable to 0.12% annual tax on the global gross domestic product.        Recent additional research from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention further discovered that higher figures of road traffic mortalities were generated from the United States in 2019, which is more than higher-income countries, but has a notably lower rate of promoting road safety and mitigating road accidents. As a result of their negligence to road safety, deaths brought by road traffic accidents further heightened in 2020-2021. Since the United States is considered a high-income country, it could have done better in saving more lives on the road had it paid more attention to the growing number of injuries and mortalities, but it eventually did not. The lack of strategic implementations and law enforcement regarding the safety of the citizens on the road is what primarily caused the increase in road injuries and deaths. Hence, interventions could still be done as early as now to minimize road traffic accidents to prevent more deaths and prevent more local/global impacts in the different sectors of the nation.        Unintentional accidents on the road can easily be prevented even in the smallest ways possible. Even a simple proper usage of seat belts or wearing of helmets could go a long way in preventing injuries and deaths. Additionally, it is important to drive carefully without any distractions and be considerate to other road users since one cannot anticipate the slightest changes on the road. The most important thing when on the road is to follow traffic rules and regulations wherever you are so as not to disrupt other road users, may it be pedestrians or vehicles on the road. Injuries and deaths are simply preventable if and only if everyone cooperates and does the right thing wherever they go.         Bachani, et al. (2017) implied that road traffic injuries (RTIs) can become a huge part of the health, economic, and societal burdens of a nation. As years pass by, more and more people get affected by RTIs. A significant 46% increase in the mortality rate globally ever since 1990 has become very alarming to see (Lozano, et al., 2012). RTIs have brought huge amounts of economic costs to society since it is one of the most affected areas of a nation. It is more likely becoming a societal burden even to this day given the fact that the realization of the long-term influences of RTIs remains insufficient.        Chand, et al. (2021) indicated that road traffic accidents are one of the world\'s leading causes of injuries and fatalities and hence represent an important field of research towards the use of traffic accident analysis and prediction techniques and the determination of the most key factors contributing to road traffic accidents. Overall, road traffic accidents are a significant global concern, causing multiple injuries and deaths every year. Chand, et al. (2021) highlighted the importance of research in this area, specifically focusing on traffic accident analysis and prediction techniques, also identifying key factors contributing to these accidents. Road traffic analysis and prediction techniques are critical for improving road safety, reducing injuries and fatalities, and enhancing transportation systems' efficiency and resilience.      According to the study Road Traffic Accidents: An Overview of Data Sources, Analysis Techniques and Contributing Factors (2023), because of road traffic accidents around the world, the lives of about 1.35 million people are cut short annually. About 20 to 50 million people experience nonfatal injuries due to these accidents and many are disabled permanently. Road traffic accidents are causing significant economic impacts on victims, thereby to the whole nation, by costing around a 3% loss of the gross domestic product. Hence, Road traffic accidents appear to be a topic of discussion and analyzing traffic accident data, becoming a major concern for researchers in search of risk assessment methods for road accidents. Colagrande, et al. (2022) stated that the first identifies the critical road sections (blackspots), through the application of the new model to the classic methods of accident assessment. The second defines the functional adjustments necessary to reduce the causes of accidents by comparing the risk of accidents, determined with the new methodology for each type of accident, and the technical characteristics of the road network in question. The third establishes the intervention priorities, based on economic planning linked to the available budget, among the functional adjustments identified to reduce the risk of accidents. Gutierrez-Osorio and Pedraza (2020) said that road accidents are one of the leading causes of injury and death worldwide, so there is a significant field of research into the use of advanced algorithms and techniques to analyze and predict traffic accidents, as well as identify the most relevant factors that contribute to road accidents. This paper aims to provide an overview of the current state of the art in road accident prediction using machine learning algorithms and advanced data analysis techniques such as convolutional neural networks and long short-term memory networks, among other deep learning architectures. The objective of this paper is to present a review of the state of the art in the prediction of road accidents through algorithms and advanced techniques for analyzing information and the incorporation of new data sources, which were not present in published reviews on road accident prediction and forecasting ([Halim et al., 2016](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S209575642030101X#bib36); [Taamneh et al., 2017](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S209575642030101X#bib70)).  Ait-Mlouk and Agouti (2019) proposed a software framework based on association rules that can be applied to a dataset of road accidents in Morocco to extract meaningful relationships between variables related to a road accident and then select the most relevant rules using multiple criteria analysis. Finally, utilizing the established rules, the framework can predict death and injury using time series analysis. As claimed by Gutierrez-Osorio and Pedraza (2020), this study provided a review of the algorithms and models used. To assess, characterize, and forecast traffic accidents. The methods and models include data mining and machine learning, learning strategies, presented in the literature of the year 2015, to accommodate emerging research methodologies. Deng, X. & Cao, Z. (2020) stated that relying on the Shenzhen-Zhongshan subsea-immersed tunnel project combined with the characteristics of highway tunnel traffic, the method of fire standard for super large cross-section submarine immersed tunnel is proposed. Through the analysis of road tunnel fire cases, it is clear that vehicle spontaneous combustion is the main cause of tunnel fires. The ignition distance of different fire scales under the condition of a tunnel traffic jam is determined by theoretical calculation. Through numerical simulation, when a super large cross-section submarine immersed tunnel is fired under the condition of a traffic jam, the scale of the fire is enlarged due to the ignition of the vehicle, and the fire scale design value of the super-large cross-section submarine immersed tunnel is obtained. Based on the most dangerous situation of vehicle spontaneous combustion in a uni-direction four-lane tunnel, according to the actual traffic composition, the probabilistic method is used to analyze the composition of the laterally ignited vehicle and the probability of the event. It shows that the maximum probability of being ignited in a four-lane tunnel is one coach and one truck, and the fire prevention standard for the Shenzhen-Zhongshan immersed tunnel is determined to be 50MW. Kazaras, Konstantinos & Kirytopoulos, Konstantinos. (2014) stated that challenges for current quantitative risk assessment (QRA) models to describe the road tunnel safety level. The number of road tunnels in Europe has increased rapidly over the last few years. Nevertheless, this increasing number is raising upfront an endogenous problem, which is the severity of accidents that may occur. After the spate of tunnel fires in Europe over the past decade, the European Commission embarked upon a major review of road tunnel safety and launched Directive 2004/54/EC that sets minimum safety requirements and suggests, apart from the measures imposed based on tunnel characteristics, the implementation of a risk assessment in several cases. As a result, many risk assessment methods have been proposed worldwide, most of them based on quantitative risk assessment (QRA) models. Although QRAs help address physical aspects and facilities of the infrastructures, current approaches in the road tunnel field have several challenges to meet to provide decision-makers with the overall risk picture. Taking into account that QRAs are progressively becoming the selected method to manage tunnel safety and risk, this paper's purpose is twofold. On the one hand, it aims to inform safety managers and engineers about items that are not adequately handled by current road tunnel QRA models. On the other hand, it aims to suggest potential areas in which improvements should be made. Taking into consideration the challenges and the limitations discussed herein, this paper concludes that QRA models should not be the single criterion for the safety assessment process of these critical infrastructures. The PIARC report also addresses the possibilities of harmonizing the methods of risk assessment for road tunnels, concluding that these possibilities are limited -- one unique method cannot cover all relevant issues. However, the standardization of some specific elements of risk analysis seems to be achievable, without limiting the flexibility of the methods. Hence, in the future it seems to be possible to develop universally applicable guidelines for risk analysis. Another important issue to be addressed in the future is risk evaluation. The methods of risk analysis and risk evaluation are strongly dependent on each other; in the future the possibilities and restrictions, advantages and disadvantages of different strategies of risk evaluation should be investigated in a similar way (Kohl, et al., 2007). Road fatalities were declared a pandemic as early as 1973 (BMJ 1973). In 2016, there were 1.35 million road fatalities. Currently, over 3,500 people die on the world\'s roads each day. South Africa has one of the world\'s highest road fatality rates, at 25.9 deaths per 100,000 people (WHO 2018). This study compares four alternative road safety evaluation methodologies, both standard and original, and serves as a proof of concept for the \'road safety desert\' methodology, a new technique derived from the \'transit desert\' idea. This new approach to road safety evaluation involves the use of geo-coded supply and demand comparisons to identify \'road safety deserts\' - places with a disproportionately high road safety risk. This research demonstrates that there are multiple distinct and effective methods for assessing road safety, with each approach including different qualities in its techniques. This study introduces the \'road safety desert\' paradigm, a new approach to assessing road safety. Both computations in this methodology, the safety and supply quality numbers, require additional validation and fine-tuning. According to Vanderschuren et al. (2021), \"the use of large TAZs hinders the development of detailed transit supply action plans\". Due to data restrictions, this study also makes use of huge TAZs. Smaller analysis zones are better suited to identifying comprehensive action plans, hence it is advised that disaggregated transport information collected in the South African context be discovered. Geographic coordinates are ideal for road safety. It is consequently proposed that future uses of this technology employ smaller analysis zones to increase the accuracy of the results. According to Baguio et al. (2023), the study revealed that some accident-prone areas in Cebu South Coastal Road had a higher occurrence of road surface problems such as uneven surfaces, cracks, and potholes which indicates an underlying road condition problem while in less accident-prone areas were poor visibility road signage problems. Road defects with 25.22% became one of the main causes of road accidents in Cebu South Coastal Road. The report also shows that narrow lane width, inadequate sight distances, and insufficient awareness among people about road safety were additional factors that contributed to such incidents on the road.         According to the DPWH Highway Safety Design Standards (May 2012), the primary goal of a safe road design is to guarantee the safety of the road users, herewith considering factors like having a well-constructed road surface, a sufficient width or cross-section, horizontal and vertical road alignment, good clarity/sight distance, delineation and signing, traffic management, and speed control. Road safety concerns should be prioritized for the conduct of traffic impact assessment for any new development that would significantly affect local zoning ordinances. As Metro Manila encountered, the appearance of malls and commercial establishments made of fragmented land creates enormous, large traffic generators thus worsening traffic operation of the road network. Some areas were excluded to improve safety from which all motorized vehicles, this would include purpose-built footpaths and bikeways that often totally separate networks. Industrial, residential, and commercial areas should be linked by footpaths to provide the most direct and pleasant route between destinations. All crossings with the main route should be provided by pedestrian lanes to minimize the cause of crosswalk problems.        Subsequently, road design in general specification is about pavement markings. Pavement markings are essential for the guidance and control of vehicles and pedestrians. It indicates information to road users on which the road is applicable for use or the conditions ahead and where passing is allowed. It has numerous forms such as lines, symbols, messages, or numerals, and may be set into the surface or applied upon or attached to the pavement. Some standards of pavement marking are the following: pavement markings, definite limitations, types of markings, materials, and color of pavement markings.     **CHAPTER 3** **RESEARCH METHODOLOGY** **3.1 Research Design** The researchers made use of a descriptive research approach to collect data through assessments of literature on road safety and traffic accident analysis. Moreover, the researchers collected second-hand data through the recorded accidents in both Sergio Osmeña Jr. Blvd. and Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) Tunnel during the last 5 years. **3.2 Research Environment** The locale of the study was Sergio Osmeña Jr. Blvd. starting from Radisson Blu Hotel, Cebu City to CSCR Tunnel. The tunnel measures 1.44km along its tunnel entry and exit with an additional stretch of 1.65km, which together sums up a total of 3.09km. The interval station of each road was measured in every 1000-m distance.  *Figure 2. Sergio Osmeña Jr. Boulevard to Cebu South Coastal Road Tunnel* *(Sources: Google Earth)* A aerial view of a city Description automatically generated *Figure 3. Interval in every 1000-m distance (Sources: Google Earth)* **3.3 Research Instruments/Equipment** The researchers made use of improvised checklists to collect the desired information needed for the study. The checklist was generated in reference to the design standards of roadways from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Highway Safety Design Standards and the design standards for tunnels from the European Directive 2004/54/EC. The checklist included the characteristics of the road in relation to the primary data gathered from observations (such as the condition of the surface, alignment of the roads, markings, intersections, and additional road structures). Moreover, data on the traffic flow and accident statistics were acquired from appropriate government agencies and traffic management authorities. Additionally, the researchers also utilized the Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) and a tally sheet for speed. The QGIS provides a platform for plugin development for markings indicated in each station along the CSCR tunnel, allowing for customized functionalities tailored to specific geospatial needs. The tally sheet was used to record data on the top 3 vehicles with the highest accident rates, obtained through traffic volume count, passing by the CSCR tunnel. The data gathered were assessed and documented by the researchers while conducting field observations at the CSCR tunnel and Sergio Osmeña Jr. Boulevard, Cebu City. **3.4 Research Procedure** The researchers obtained field-collected data through the actual inspection and inventory of the attributes of the tunnel and the roads covered within the study. The data gathered from the onsite inspection were used for the improvised checklist. The study made use of two improvised checklists: the first one involved the attributes of the roadways in Sergio Osmeña Jr. Boulevard, and the second one involved the attributes of the tunnel in Cebu South Coastal Road. In addition, another data collected on the field was the traffic volume count for the speed of vehicles. The data analyzed focused on the top three (3) vehicle types with the highest accident rate, and the observation period was three (3) days and a duration of one (1) hour per day. The data from the travel volume count were used in the tally sheet for speed.     In gathering the secondary data, the researchers accumulated the data through the existing traffic accident reports and the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) of the tunnel. The secondary data were obtained from the assigned traffic management authorities and the local government units of the area covered. The existing traffic accident reports aided in the geotagging of accidents in the Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) map. On the other hand, the tunnel attributes shown on the DED were used as the features for the second checklist.  For the geotagging of accident data in the QGIS map, the researchers established different stations within the scope of the study with an interval of 1000 meters. Moreover, the researchers gathered data on the accident rate from the different stations and geotagged the recorded accidents in each station to identify the accident hotspots within the areas covered. The recorded accidents were plotted and categorized according to the stations they correspond to.  The findings generated from the evaluation of the information gathered were primarily used as the groundwork for interventions, repair recommendations for road structures, enhanced infrastructures, and substantial enhancements to attain the primary goal of the study which is to put an end to road traffic accidents, and advocate for safety in the roadways.  **CHAPTER 4** **PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA** The presentation, analysis, and interpretation of data collected by the researchers are demonstrated in this chapter. Table \_. Minimum Design Standards and the Observed values in Sergio Osmena Jr. Boulevard Roadway Elements Minimum Design Standards in DPWH Observed Values in Sergio Osmena Jr. Boulevard road ----------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- --------- ----------- Number of Lanes 4 6 4 6 Carriageway Width (m) 18.4 25.1 12-15.8 20.1-21.4 Shoulder Width (m) 2.5 2.5 0.15 0.3-1.35 Central Median (m) 1.5 1.5 0.3 2.5-2.93 Curb Height (m) 0.15 0.15 0.090 0.156 Gutter (m) 0.6 0.6 N/A 0.36-0.43 Foothpath (m) 2.4 2.4 N/A 1.65-2.56 **BIBLIOGRAPHY** ** ** **Books ** Department of Public Works and Highways. DPWH Highway Safety Design Standards: Road Safety Design Manual. Manila, Philippines. 2012. Department of Public Works and Highways. DPWH Highway Safety Design Standards: Road Signs and Pavement Marking Manual. Manila, Philippines. 2012.   **Journal Articles** Bhasi, A.B., Chand, A., and Jayesh, S. "Road traffic accidents: An overview of data sources, analysis techniques and contributing factors." *Materials Today: Proceedings.* 47(15): 5135-5141, April 17, 2021. Gelder, P., Haghighi, F., Papadimitriou, E., and Sheykhfard, A. (2020). "Review and assessment of different perspectives of vehicle-pedestrian conflicts and crashes: passive and active analysis approaches." *Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering (English Edition)* \[Online\]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtte.2021.08.001 J. L. Lu, T. J. Herbosa, and S. F. Lu, "Analysis of Transport and Vehicular Road Crash Cases in Metro Manila from 2016 to 2020", *Acta Med Philipp*, vol. 56, no. 19, Nov. 2022. European Union. "Directive 2004/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on minimum safety requirements for tunnels in the Trans-European Road Network." *Official Journal of the European Union (English Edition),* vol 47, April 30, 2004. ** ** **Unpublished Thesis** G.A. Acain, et al., "A safety assessment on accident-prone bike lanes in Mandaue City," Thesis, Dept. Civil Eng., Cebu Institute of Technology-Univ., San Nicolas, Cebu City. 2023. J.B. Baguio et al., "An analysis of road accidents and traffic safety at Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR)," Thesis, Dept. Civil Eng., Cebu Institute of Technology-Univ., San Nicolas, Cebu City. 2023. ** ** **Internet Sources** Bachani, A., Peden, M., Gururaj, G., Norton, R., and Hyder, A. (n.d.). *Road traffic injuries* \[Online\]. Available:    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525212/  B. Talisic and J. Vestil, "3 hurt in 5-vehicle collision at SRP tunnel," Sunstar \[Online\], June 3 2022. Available: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/3-hurt-in-5-vehicle-collision-at-srp-tunnel Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023). *Road traffic injuries and deaths -- A global problem* \[Online\]. Available:  https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/global-road-safety/index.html C.N. Magsumbol, "To be strictly implemented at SRP: Dedicated motor lanes," The Freeman \[Online\], July 20 2023. Available: https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2023/07/20/2282411/be-strictly-implemented-srp-dedicated-motor-lanes J. Sitchon, "After another fatal accident in Cebu City's SRP tunnel; motorbike ban pushed," Rappler \[Online\], December 18 2020. Available: https://www.rappler.com/nation/after-another-fatal-accident-cebu-city-srp-tunnel-motorbike-ban-pushed/ Kazaras, K., and Konstantinos, K., (2014). *Challenges for current quantitative risk assessment (QRA) models to describe explicitly the road tunnel safety level* \[Online\]. Available: https://ideas.repec.org/a/taf/jriskr/v17y2014i8p953-968.html  Kohl, B., (2007). *Road Analysis for Road Tunnels* \[Online\]. Available:https://proceedings-paris2007.piarc.org/ressources/files/1/SP15-Kohl-E.pdf M.M. Erram and P. Lauro, "1 dead, 7 injured in late night SRP tunnel accident," CDN Digital \[Online\], December 11 2020. Available: https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/354519/1-dead-7-injured-in-late-night-srp-tunnel-accident Newlands, A., and Vanderschuren, M., (2021). *Developing a Road Safety Deserts Methodology -- Supply and Demand Comparison* \[Online\]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373871599\_DEVELOPING\_A\_ROAD\_SAFETY\_DESERTS\_METHODOLOGY\_-SUPPLY\_AND\_DEMAND\_COMPARISON World Health Organization (n.d.). *Road traffic injuries* \[Online\]. Available:  https://www.who.int/health-topics/road-safety\#tab=tab\_1  Zhao, J., Liu, H. J., Love, P.E.D. & Greenwood, D.J. & Sing, M.C.P. (2022). *Public-private partnership: A dynamic discrete choice model for road projects* \[Online\]. Available: https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/soceps/v82y2022ipas00380121220 00052.html  **APPENDIX A** **TURNITIN OUTPUT/SIMILARITY INDEX**  Figure 4. Abstract Turnitin Originality Report A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated Figure 5. Chapter 1 Turnitin Originality Report  Figure 6. Chapter 2 Turnitin Originality Report A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated Figure 7. Chapter 3 Turnitin Originality Report **APPENDIX B** **CURRICULUM VITAE** **CHRIST JEARIEL ARCENAL** 414 Lapu -- Lapu St., Cebu City **PERSONAL BACKGROUND** Home Address : 414 Lapu -- Lapu St., Cebu City Present Address : 414 Lapu -- Lapu St., Cebu City Date of Birth : December 21, 2000 Civil Status : Single Religion : Roman Catholic **EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND** Tertiary : Cebu Institute of Technology -- University N. Bacalso Ave., San Nicolas, Cebu City 2020 -- Present Senior High School : Cebu Institute of Technology - University N. Bacalso Ave., San Nicolas, Cebu City 2018 -- 2020 High School : University of Southern Philippines Foundation Mabini St., Cebu City 2014 -- 2018 Elementary : Tejero Elementary School M.J Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City 2008 -- 2014 **JOANA MARIE C. BELLO** San Isidro, Labangan, Zamboanga Del Sur **PERSONAL BACKGROUND** Home Address : San Isidro Labangan, Zamboanga Del Sur Present Address : Tres de Abril Labangon, Cebu City Date of Birth : October 03, 2000 Civil Status : Single Religion : Roman Catholic **EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND** Tertiary : Cebu Institute of Technology -- University N. Bacalso Ave., San Nicolas, Cebu City 2019 -- Present Senior High School : Saint Columban College -- Senior High School Sagun St., San Francisco District, Pagadian City 2017 -- 2019 High School : Saint Columban College -- High School Enerio St., San Jose District, Pagadian City 2013 -- 2017 Elementary : San Isidro Elementary School San Isidro Labangan, Zamboanga Del Sur 2007 - 2013 **CHRISTINE ANN BUCAG** Pulpogan 2, Consolacion, Cebu **PERSONAL BACKGROUND** Home Address : Pulpogan 2, Consolacion, Cebu Present Address : Pulpogan 2, Consolacion, Cebu Date of Birth : June 21, 2001 Civil Status : Single Religion : Roman Catholic **EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND** Tertiary : Cebu Institute of Technology -- University N. Bacalso Ave., San Nicolas, Cebu City 2022 -- Present University of San Carlos -- Talamban Nasipit, Talamban, Cebu City 2019 -- 2022 Senior High School : University of Cebu -- Banilad Gov. M. Cuenco Ave., Cebu City 2017 -- 2019 High School : Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion -- Mandaue A. Del Rosario St., Mandaue City, Cebu 2013 -- 2017 Elementary : Consolacion Central School Consolacion, Cebu 2007 -- 2013 **ANGELA KAYE DAUGDAUG** Sunrise 3^rd^ St., Poblacion, Pardo, Cebu City **PERSONAL BACKGROUND** Home Address : Sunrise 3^rd^ St., Poblacion, Pardo, Cebu City Present Address : Sunrise 3^rd^ St., Poblacion, Pardo, Cebu City Date of Birth : October 31, 2000 Civil Status : Single Religion : Roman Catholic **EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND** Tertiary : Cebu Institute of Technology -- University N. Bacalso Ave., San Nicolas, Cebu City 2020 -- Present Senior High School : Cebu Institue of Technology - University N. Bacalso Ave., San Nicolas, Cebu City 2018 -- 2020 High School : University of the Visayas -- Pardo Campus Dela Victoria St., Cebu City, Cebu 2014 -- 2018 Elementary : Pardo Elementary School A. Gabuya St., Cebu City, Cebu **MARK ANGELO ESPINO** Jasmin St., Nangka, Consolacion, Cebu **PERSONAL BACKGROUND** Home Address : Blk 4 Lot 3 Jasmin St., V&G Subd.,Nangka Consolacion, Cebu Present Address : Blk 4 Lot 3 Jasmin St., V&G Subd., Nangka Consolacion, Cebu Date of Birth : April 03, 2000 Civil Status : Single Religion : Roman Catholic **EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND** Tertiary : Cebu Institute of Technology -- University N. Bacalso Ave., San Nicolas, Cebu City 2019 -- Present Senior High School : University of Cebu - Lapu -- Lapu and Mandaue A.C. Cortes Ave, Mandaue City 2017 -- 2019 High School : University of San Carlos -- North Campus General Maxilom Ave, Cebu City 2013 -- 2017 Elementary : University of San Carlos -- North Campus General Maxilom Ave, Cebu City 2007 -- 2013 **RAPHAEL LOUIS RAMISO** San Carlos City, Negros Occidental **PERSONAL BACKGROUND** Home Address : Gumamela St., San Julio Subdiv., San Carlos City, Negros Occidental Present Address : Junquera Extension, Cebu City Date of Birth : January 25, 2002 Civil Status : Single Religion : Roman Catholic **EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND** Tertiary : Cebu Institute of Technology -- University N. Bacalso Ave., San Nicolas, Cebu City 2020 -- Present Senior High School : Cebu Institute of Technology -- University N. Bacalso Ave., San Nicolas, Cebu City 2018 - 2020 High School : Julio Ledesma National High School J.V Ledesma Ave., San Carlos City 2014 -- 2018 Elementary : Colegio de Sta. Rita Tibuco St., San Carlos City 2008 -- 2014