What is the Scientific Basis of MMDA's Traffic Scheme in Katipunan?

Figure Caption: A simplified diagram of traffic flow in the vicinity of Ateneo de Manila University in Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City.


Yesterday, the Philippine Inquirer Online published an article which states that soon there will only be one vehicle entrance to the Ateneo Campus. (See link: http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/08/update-on-katipunan-traffic-from.html).

This proposal was negated by an Ateneo official announcement. (See related blog entry: http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/08/ateneos-position-on-proposed-mmda.html).

As a concerned citizen, I would like to make a critique on the proposed traffic scheme of MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority):

1. In the current set-up there are three operational vehicle entrances to the Ateneo campus: Gates 1, 2, and 3; and there are two vehicle exits: Gates 2.5 and 3.5. (Note: Gate 1 is open only during morning rush hour).

2. During morning peak hours, from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. the bulk of vehicles entering the Ateneo campus are those used by Grade School and High School students. These vehicles may use Gates 1 and 2 for the Grade School and Gates 2 and 3 for the High School.

3. In the proposed traffic scheme by MMDA, motorists may no longer use Gates 1 and 2 and only Gate 3 will be used to enter Ateneo. MMDA's reason (according to news report) is to prevent clogging near the Katipunan-Aurora flyover.

4. What is the effect of this proposed new traffic scheme? From the simplified diagram (shown above) we can see that if motorists will be allowed to enter only through Gate 3 and they will be allowed to exit through Gates 2, 2.5 and 3.5, there will still be clogging in the area between Gate 2 and Gate 3, and this will create a potential gridlock. In fact, there will be a bigger chance of accidents happening because vehicles exiting from Gate 2.5 (and Gate 2 if allowed) will be in conflict with vehicles trying to enter Ateneo through Gate 3.

5. The proposed MMDA scheme will not solve clogging of vehicles in Katipunan area (in the vicinity of Ateneo de Manila University). Instead of solving a traffic problem, it will spawn other traffic problems both inside and outside the Ateneo Campus.

6. The MMDA should have a public forum where the MMDA's proposal can be presented (so it can be discussed openly) BEFORE the scheme is implemented. The MMDA cannot arbitrarily impose on the public whatever scheme they want to do, especially if the scheme is without a scientific basis!


Raffy
(A victim of MMDA traffic mismanagement)
12 August 2008

( Note: Sometime in 2000 and 2001 my thesis student (Winfer Tabares) and I did a research project on modeling and simulation of traffic using cellular automata. However, the model needs to be updated considering the various traffic schemes that MMDA is implementing in the Katipunan area.)
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