Safety Features of Expressways

Safety Features of
Expressways
Cresencio M. MONTALBO Jr., PhD
Assoc. Prof., SURP
Faculty Affiliate, NCTS
University of the Philippines
Outline of Presentation
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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
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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
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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)
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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)
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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
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Sto. Tomas – Tanauan City – Malvar –
Lipa City
20 kms long
Operator: Star Infrastructure
Development Corporation
Existing Expressway Network in MM
Characteristics of
Expressways (1)
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High speeds
High traffic volumes
Divided by a barrier
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Guardrail
Concrete barrier
Grassy median
Multiple lanes per direction
Controlled access
Characteristics of
Expressways (2)
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High speeds
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Good pavement conditions
Vertical and horizontal sight distances
Controlled access
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No roadside friction
No intersections
Restriction to slow moving or vulnerable modes
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Minimum speed limit
Restriction to some motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians,
etc.
Characteristics of Expressways
(3)
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High-risk environment
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Entering
Driving on
Exiting
Safety Features (1)
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Rumble strips at the road edge
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Median barriers
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Guard rails
Safety Features (2)
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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
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Regulatory signs
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Warning signs
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Information signs
Other Expressway Features (1)
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Entrance facilities
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Entrance ramp
Acceleration lane
Merge area
Exit facilities
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Deceleration lane
Exit ramp
Problems and Risk Reduction
Area
Entrance
ramp
Accelerat
ion lane
Merge
area
Exit lane
Problems
Picking the wrong ramp
„Traffic ahead and behind on the ramp
„Sharp curves on the ramp
„Visibility problems ahead and to the expressway
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Amount of traffic in land and on expressway
„Short acceleration lane
„Limited space ahead
„Actions of drivers ahead and behind
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Heavy traffic
„Lack of gap to merge
„Traffic slowing or stopping ahead
„Visibility problems ahead and to the side
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Weave lane conflicts
„Traffic on exit ramp
„Short deceleration lane
„Very slow ramp speed
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Risk Reduction
Search for the proper entrance
„Search ahead, behind and to the
expressway
„Prepare to adjust speed for blocked ramp
„Avoid stopping or backing on ramp
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Search ahead and for gap on expressway
„Prepare to adjust speed
„Pull ahead onto the shoulder if no merge
is available
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Search ahead and to the side
„Prepare to blend speed with traffic
„Change lanes smoothly
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Search ahead and communicate with
other driver
„Search ahead, prepare to slow or stop
„Search rear, slow down
„Slow down
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Other Expressway Features (2)
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Ramp meter signals
Changeable message signs
Traffic radio, television, and telephone
Internet
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www.tollways.net
www.pncc.net
High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes
Highway assistance
Location of Accidents
In 2003:
Total Number of Reported Accidents:
4% 2%
16,418
11%
39%
8%
National Road
Expressway
Provincial Road
City Road
Municipal Road
Barangay Road
Number of Accidents along
Expressway:
6515 ~ (40%)
Expressway Length –approx. 150 km.
36%
Unsafe? Or just better data collection
here than on other roads?
Expressway Accidents
700
4500
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
N o . o f M a j o r A c c i d e n ts
N o . o f A c c id e n ts
600
500
NLT
SLT
Skyway
NLT
400
SLT
300
Skyway
200
100
0
2000
2001
2002
Year
2003
2000
2001
2002
Year
Source: Traffic Management and Safety Division, PNCC
2003
Expressways Casualties
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
NLT
SLT
Skyway
N o o f F a t a lit ie s
N o . o f I n j u r e d V i c ti m s
60
NLT
40
SLT
20
Skyway
0
2000
2000
2001
2002
Year
2003
2001
2002
Year
Source: Traffic Management and Safety Division, PNCC
2003
For better comparison:
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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
one could lead to
traffic accidents.
HUMAN
VEHICLE
ROAD
Issues and Concerns
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Cost Effectiveness of Safety Features
Safety Action Plan of Expressway
Operators
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Measurable objectives
Highway improvements, vehicle conditions,
IEC, law enforcement, emergency services
Safety First
Life is a Journey…