WRITTEN REPORT 1:

COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON TRAFFIC PLANNING COMPLIANCE

By: Rhode Christian E. Bacud

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Traffic planning plays a pivotal role in shaping the interaction between land use and
transportation networks, ensuring that road infrastructure aligns with the needs of
surrounding developments. The relationship between traffic planning and land use is critical,
as improper planning can lead to congestion, reduced accessibility, and compromised safety,
while well-coordinated planning supports efficient movement, economic development, and
sustainable growth.

This report comprehensively analyzes traffic planning compliance, focusing on how

well current traffic systems align with land use patterns and regulations. It aims to evaluate
whether road networks, intersections, and other transportation infrastructures are designed
and managed to support the intended land use, including residential, commercial, and
industrial zones. The key objectives of the report are:

● To assess the effectiveness of current traffic planning strategies in relation to land use
policies.
● To identify areas of non-compliance or inefficiency within traffic management
systems.
● To provide recommendations for improving traffic flow, safety, and integration with
land use.
● By examining these factors, the report will contribute to enhancing urban planning,
minimizing traffic-related challenges, and promoting balanced and sustainable
development.

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 1.2 METHODS

The category of recreational and tourism areas was chosen when selecting the five
locations examined in this report. Using the same set of criteria for recreational and tourism
land use was used throughout this report since all five places are under the category of
recreational and tourism areas.

The criteria for assessing the locations in compliance with the DPWH traffic planning
guidelines are the following:

1. Access: Ensure recreational facilities are connected to local or district distributor

roads based on their scale.
2. Location: Separate recreational areas from residential neighborhoods, while allowing
them on the fringes if traffic is managed appropriately. Some recreational uses may be
integrated into commercial or industrial areas with caution.
3. Public Transport: Provide adequate public transport options to facilitate access to
recreational areas.
4. Parking Facilities: Offer sufficient separate parking for participants and spectators
within or near each facility to accommodate peak demand.
5. Pedestrian Safety: Design pedestrian routes between parking areas and venues to be
free of vehicular traffic and clearly signposted.
6. Traffic Management: Segregate event traffic from general traffic on public highways,
including potential periodic road closures during events.
7. Service Areas: Keep service facilities separate from general traffic and, if possible,
operate them at different times to reduce congestion.
8. Shared Facilities: Consider sharing facilities, such as parking lots, with other uses to
optimize resources.

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 1.3 LOCATION ASSESSMENTS

Location 1: Timoga - El Lauriento Swimming Pools

Figure 1.1 Entrance of Timoga - El Lauriento Swimming Pools

Figure 1.2 Front view of the Timoga - El Lauriento Swimming Pools

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Description of Land Use:

The Timoga - El Lauriento Swimming Pools is a recreation and tourism area where
people enjoy the swimming pool with their families.

Traffic Planning Compliance:

Criteria Yes/No

Access Yes

Location Yes

Public Transport Yes

Parking Facilities Yes

Pedestrian Safety No

Traffic Management No

Service Areas No

Shared Facilities Yes

Findings:

The Timoga - El Lauriento Swimming Pools is located just off the side of the
highway. It may be accessible for people and has a parking lot, but there’s no pedestrian
safety, the traffic in the facility is also not separated from the main road or highway since it is
just located beside the highway, and it is difficult for pedestrians and even customers to get in
and out of the facility if there is traffic since there is no pedestrian lane and there are lots of
vehicles around the area especially on weekends or during summer.

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Location 2: Iligan Riverside Esplanade

Figure 2.1 Entrance of Iligan Riverside Esplanade

Figure 2.2 The Iligan Riverside Esplanade with Parking Spaces

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Description of Land Use:

The Iligan Riverside Esplanade is a recreation and tourism area where people can also
spend time with their families or loved ones and hike here.

Traffic Planning Compliance:

Criteria Yes/No

Access Yes

Location Yes

Public Transport Yes

Parking Facilities Yes

Pedestrian Safety Yes

Traffic Management Yes

Service Areas Yes

Shared Facilities Yes

Findings:

The Iligan Riverside Esplanade is located near the Bayug Alihanan (Terminal),
accessible by public transport. Even if there are no pedestrian lanes in the Esplanade, it is still
safe for pedestrians, as we can see in Figure 2.2, where there’s a roadblock at the entrance so
that there will be no cars entering the Esplanade, especially when people are hiking there,
that’s why this place is perfect for hiking/jogging or even sightseeing.

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Location 3: Iligan City Wetpark

Figure 3.1 Entrance of Iligan City Wetpark

Figure 3.2 Iligan City Wetpark with the Parking Sign and Space

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Description of Land Use:

The Iligan City Wetpark is a recreation and tourism area where people can also spend
time with their families or loved ones, walk around, or do picnics.

Traffic Planning Compliance:

Criteria Yes/No

Access Yes

Location Yes

Public Transport Yes

Parking Facilities Yes

Pedestrian Safety No

Traffic Management Yes

Service Areas Yes

Shared Facilities Yes

Findings:

The Iligan City Wetpark has good facilities around the area, including parking spaces
for cars and motorcycles. It is also pedestrian friendly except on the entrance road with no
pedestrian lane.

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Location 4: Centennial Park, Dalipuga Iligan City

Figure 4.1 Entrance of Centennial Park

Figure 4.2 Inside the Centennial Park

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Description of Land Use:

Centennial Park, Dalipuga Iligan City, is a recreation and tourism area where people
can have picnics and watch the sunset.

Traffic Planning Compliance:

Criteria Yes/No

Access Yes

Location Yes

Public Transport Yes

Parking Facilities No

Pedestrian Safety No

Traffic Management No

Service Areas Yes

Shared Facilities No

Findings:

Centennial Park, Dalipuga Iligan City is a seaside picnic place where people can
watch the sunset or just plainly have a picnic and have a good view of the beach. Even if this
place is popular as a place to hangout with friends, there is still no entrance for this place. The
people can get in anywhere in the area but are not allowed to swim on the beach. There is
also no pedestrian lane, which is a hazard for pedestrians, especially since there are many big
trucks and buses on that road. There are also no parking spaces; people just randomly park
their cars on the side of the road, which is not ideal, especially since it’s a national highway
and many big cars are passing through that road.

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Location 5: Children’s Park, San Miguel Iligan City

Figure 5.1 Entrance of Children’s Park

Figure 5.2 The Children’s Park with Cars parking everywhere at the side of the road

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Description of Land Use:

Children’s Park, San Miguel Iligan City, is a recreation and tourism area where people
can hang out, buy food, and play with friends or family.

Traffic Planning Compliance:

Criteria Yes/No

Access Yes

Location Yes

Public Transport Yes

Parking Facilities No

Pedestrian Safety No

Traffic Management No

Service Areas Yes

Shared Facilities No

Findings:

The Children’s Park, despite being a student-friendly place even for young people and
adults, does not guarantee the safety of pedestrians, especially when we observe the area
around the facility. The Children’s Park is just along the road where many cars pass, but no
pedestrian lane exists. Even though the road in that area is so small, it becomes even smaller
because of the cars parking on the side, which is annoying and hazardous for pedestrians and
drivers.

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 1.4 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

When we compare and contrast the compliance levels across the five locations, the
Iligan Riverside Esplanade is one of the perfect examples of a recreational area that has
observed the proper traffic planning in such land use. Second is the Iligan City Wetpark. Even
if we can say that it is safe for pedestrians inside the area, when outside just before the
entrance, it is hazardous, especially since there is no pedestrian lane. The Timoga - El
Lauriento Swimming Pools came in third, with several problems with pedestrian safety and
traffic control. Lastly, both Children's Park and Centennial Park are in last place; despite
being the two popular parks in Iligan City, the compliance of proper traffic planning was not
met with hazards for pedestrians and has common problems with parking spaces and the lack
of pedestrian lanes in the areas.

As observed when comparing and contrasting the different locations, the most
common challenge is the parking space and pedestrian lanes, both critical for the drivers' and
pedestrians’ safety. It is actually a very common problem in the Philippines, especially since
parking lots take up a lot of space, and pedestrian lanes are also not put on the small roads.
However, it still imposes hazards; just like the Children’s Park, the name itself shows us that
the place is actually for children, yet the area around the Children’s Park is not safe for
children. The best practices observed in the five locations are the accessibility and location of
the facilities since they are separated from residential areas, and people can easily access it,
even the students.

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 1.5 CONCLUSION

The report on traffic planning compliance across five recreational and tourism areas in
Iligan City reveals significant disparities in adherence to traffic management guidelines.
While some locations, such as Iligan Riverside Esplanade, demonstrate a high level of
compliance, others, like Children’s Park and Centennial Park, struggle with critical issues,
particularly in pedestrian safety and parking facilities.

Key findings include:

● Pedestrian Safety: Only two of the five locations meet pedestrian safety standards.
Lack of pedestrian lanes poses a significant hazard in areas such as Timoga - El
Lauriento Swimming Pools, Children’s Park, and Centennial Park.
● Parking Facilities: Limited parking spaces are a common challenge, especially at
Children’s Park and Centennial Park, where cars often park along narrow roads,
causing congestion and safety concerns.
● Traffic Management: Proper traffic segregation and management are lacking in
several areas, particularly where recreational facilities are located near busy roads
without traffic control measures, such as Timoga - El Lauriento Swimming Pools.

Significance of Adhering to Traffic Planning Guidelines for Sustainable Development:

Adhering to traffic planning guidelines is crucial for promoting sustainable urban

development. Ensuring safe pedestrian access, efficient traffic flow, and adequate parking
facilities not only enhances user experience but also minimizes congestion and environmental
impact. By addressing the gaps in compliance, cities can foster more organized, accessible,
and safer recreational spaces, contributing to sustainable land use, improved public safety,
and a more resilient infrastructure system.

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 1.6 RECOMMENDATION

Actionable Recommendations for Improving Compliance:

To address the deficiencies identified in the traffic planning compliance of the five
recreational and tourism areas, the following recommendations are proposed:

1. Enhance Pedestrian Safety:

- Install Pedestrian Lanes: Mark clear and visible pedestrian lanes at the entrances of
Timoga - El Lauriento Swimming Pools, Iligan City Wetpark, Centennial Park, and
Children’s Park. This is critical for ensuring the safety of visitors, particularly in areas near
highways.

- Pedestrian Crosswalks and Signage: Implement crosswalks and appropriate signage

near high-traffic roads, especially at Children's Park and Centennial Park. Raised crosswalks
or flashing pedestrian lights could also be installed to slow down vehicles.

- Barrier Systems: Install physical barriers such as guardrails or bollards around pedestrian
areas to separate foot traffic from vehicular roads, as seen effectively at Iligan Riverside
Esplanade.

2. Improve Parking Facilities:

- Designated Parking Areas: Create dedicated parking lots or expand existing ones in
high-demand areas like Centennial Park and Children’s Park. This would reduce random
roadside parking that clogs traffic and creates hazards.

- Shared Parking Solutions: Consider developing shared parking facilities with nearby
businesses or institutions in areas like Timoga - El Lauriento Swimming Pools and Iligan
City Wetpark, especially during peak periods.

- Parking Signage and Enforcement: Install clear signage directing drivers to appropriate
parking spots and enforce rules to prevent illegal parking along narrow roads.

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3. Implement Effective Traffic Management:

- Separate Recreational Traffic: Introduce traffic calming measures and traffic control
systems, such as speed bumps, one-way traffic systems, and temporary road closures during
peak times to manage traffic flow effectively at Timoga - El Lauriento Swimming Pools and
Children’s Park.

- Event Traffic Planning: For areas that host large events or seasonal crowds (e.g., Timoga
Pools), implement special traffic management plans to segregate event-related traffic from
general highway traffic.

4. Upgrade Public Transport Access:

- Dedicated Drop-off Points: Establish designated drop-off zones for public transport
vehicles near entrances at all recreational areas. This will improve access and reduce
congestion caused by public vehicles stopping at random points.

- Improved Transit Connectivity: Coordinate with public transport operators to ensure

regular, reliable services to the recreational areas, especially during weekends and holidays
when traffic demand is high.

5. Increase Public Awareness and Education:

- Traffic Safety Campaigns: Launch public awareness campaigns to educate pedestrians,

drivers, and visitors on safe road use and the importance of complying with traffic rules,
particularly in areas frequented by children and families.

- Visitor Information: Provide clear, visible maps and signs within each area, guiding
visitors to pedestrian paths, parking zones, and safe crossing points.

By implementing these recommendations, the deficiencies identified in traffic planning

compliance can be effectively addressed, resulting in safer, more accessible, and sustainable
recreational areas for residents and visitors.

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 1.6 REFERENCE

Department of Public Works and Highways. (n.d.). Design guidelines, criteria, and standards
(DGCS). Republic of the Philippines. https://www.dpwh.gov.ph

Department of Public Works and Highways. (n.d.). Highway Safety Design Standards Part 1:
Road safety design manual. Republic of the Philippines. https://www.dpwh.gov.ph

Department of Public Works and Highways. (n.d.). Manual on traffic control devices.
Republic of the Philippines. https://www.dpwh.gov.ph

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