People-oriented traffic management

ALL over the Philippines, traffic managers in local governments have a big influence on mobility outcomes. Traffic management units are in charge of how people and vehicles move on local roads. They formulate and enforce traffic rules and regulations. They design how people and vehicles flow at intersections. They have a big say on how roads are planned and used.

Traditionally, traffic management has focused on the movement of vehicles rather than that of people and this is a fundamental problem. The objective in many localities is to speed up the flow of vehicles. When private motor vehicles are prioritized, other road users — commuters, pedestrians and those on bicycles — are often worse off. Trees are cut, sidewalks are narrowed and bike lanes are removed in order to give private motor vehicles more road space. Sad to say, car-centric traffic management practices usually result in worsening mobility, even for those in cars.