OpinionsEcon 101Traffic in a small town

Traffic in a small town

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Dumaguete is one of the best places to live in: it has a serene rural atmosphere, a University Town-feel, with a slash of urban amenities.

But with progress comes the development of new challenges like traffic congestion caused by an increase in population, or the number of cars too many for the narrow roadways; the road works, lane closures due to repairs/utility work, the people’s improper use of the roads like wrong parking or double-parking or doing stall businesses on the sidewalks, etc.

Loosely defined, traffic congestion is a condition on road networks that occurs as use increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queueing.

The most common example is the physical use of roads by vehicles. When traffic demand is great enough that the interaction among vehicles slows the speed of the traffic stream, this results in some congestion.

As demand approaches the capacity of a road, extreme traffic congestion sets in. When vehicles are fully stopped for periods of time, this is colloquially known as a traffic jam or a traffic snarl-up. Traffic congestion can lead to drivers becoming frustrated and engaging in road rage.

In addition, there are drivers who have poor traffic etiquette, like the motorbike driver who overtakes from the right side, or engages in over-speeding to beat the car ahead then swerve to make a left turn. These drivers think they can save a few minutes, 20 minutes, or half an hour by taking shortcuts, or by weaving in and out of their lane.

When everyone is forced to stop for longer periods, it results in an increase in air pollution, a waste of gas, and certainly, a waste of time; then causing cars to illegally speed up after the go signal is given by the traffic enforcer, thereby increasing danger.

Because the bold measures recently taken by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno are starting to bear fruit — clearing roadways in the capital City from all sorts of obstructions, the wielding of political will seems to be catching on, and replicated all over the country.

Locally here in Dumaguete, it’s commendable that traffic management elements have started to issue tickets to those double-parking in the business district (something that is also quite common during peak hours along Hibbard Ave.), or to those highway-parking.

But in fairness, where can drivers park legally? What is the City government’s plan for more public parking spaces?

Also, can’t public works be scheduled during night time when the roads are not as busy? Or can’t they be adjusted to first included alternate routes that are ready and usable?

Unless the road is being widened, which may not be feasible, little can be done here (making roads one-way), except perhaps banning parking altogether, to speed up traffic flow.

For now, driving one’s own vehicle, whether a motorbike or a car, remains the best way to go. Mass transit like “easy rides” or buses can actually cause their own congestion without providing them their respective designated off-street terminals where they can load and unload passengers.

It would be interesting to know if the City government has an integrated traffic plan set up for the next four years.

Or are we resigned to simply think positive, pray, and take a deep breath every time we get caught in traffic in this small town?

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Author’s email: [email protected]

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