HOMEWORK NO.

1

TRAFFIC
MANAGEMENT


Due Date: SUBMITTED TO:
25 July 2011 Engr. Dante B. Potante


BARRERA, Ereecu Jolce
CE122 | C2

E105

4

Drive along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) or along any major roads in
your locality. Note if traffic sign are visible or if they are obscured because of too
many advertisement or billboard signs. Must there be regulations on putting up
advertisement signs?

As I do not know how to drive, I just took a bus which route would definitely
encompass the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue most popularly known as EDSA. And as
the bus traversed EDSA, it is a common observation that due to the highly urbanized
status of the area, traffic signs can hardly be recognized, much less read. Those giant
billboards with different celebrities and prominent personalities promoting their products
are much noticeable and much eye-catching than those traffic signs posted. Thus, I
assumed that these traffic signs are having difficulty in competing with obviously giant
billboards in terms of visibility and craftsmanship; thereby making these traffic signs be
neglected by motorists, most especially.
In addition, I also noticed that some of the traffic signs posted can hardly be
recognized due to several vandalisms; thereby making the texts on the sign less
readable and much less attractive. Thus, it seemed that lack of discipline among the
people and improper implementation of regulations regarding rules of anti-vandalism
on any public signs, more importantly those traffic signs, are causing some trouble
regarding the traffic control through traffic signs.

E. J. B.

E105

Nowadays, many local government units have been able to get support from
private companies in fabricating and installing traffic signs at locations under
their jurisdiction, provided that the companys logo or identification is indicated
in a certain area of the sign (one-eighth to one-fifth of the total surface area).
Would you agree to this? Why or why not?

For such case, I definitely would not agree. I personally believe that there is
nothing wrong about local government units getting support from private companies in
fabricating and installing traffic signs at locations under their jurisdiction. Yet, when it
comes to the condition that the company would only provide support such that the
companys logo or identification is indicated in a certain area of the sign (one-eighth to
one-fifth of the total surface area), I definitely find a perfect subject for an argument.
From my own perspective, I believe that such conditions must not exist such that
the main objective of putting up traffic signs is to manage traffic through these control
devices. I firmly believe that traffic signs must not be intended for such advertisements
and promotions. Yet, if the company logo or identification is necessary, such that it
would serve as a proof of the local governments gratitude to the company for their
help, it must be noted that only a small portion of the sign must be allotted for it. It must
be clearly observed that the traffic sign must be primarily allotted and dedicated for
conveying the traffic regulations.

E. J. B.


E105

In the town or city where you are residing, identify the different traffic signs and
see if they conform to the Vienna Convention as to color and shape. Would you
agree if these signs do not conform to the international standards because they
were fabricated at lower cost in your locality?

In Cavite City, traffic signs are posted such as: prohibition signs near hospitals,
schools, and churches; supplemental signs for locations of different establishments;
direction signs; and priority signs. Based on my observations, it is noted that some of the
traffic signs posted in the city do not conform to the international standards. It may be
because the local government wants to expend less on the fabrication of the traffic
signs. Yet, I somehow disagree with such practice.
I believe that the local government must conform to the international standards
for traffic signs such that these standards would cater to the quality and uniformity of
the traffic signs. I believe that they must perceive the importance of those traffic signs. I
strongly believe that having quality traffic signs would serve as valuable investment of a
local government such that these signs would always be necessary for the effective
management of traffic. I also believe that such standards would be essential in
avoiding confusions and difficulties in interpreting traffic sign such that there will be a
universal standard existing where the people can refer to. Thus, I believe that the quality
and purpose of traffic signs must never be compromised.

E. J. B.


E105

Most international sign consist mainly of symbols with minimum or almost no
words in them. Would you suggest putting words in Tagalog or in any dialect to
convey their meaning? Why or why not?

Based on my own perspective, I would greatly suggest putting words in Tagalog

or in any dialect onto traffic signs in order to convey their meaning much better. In
addition, it would be much better if the notations would be in Tagalog or in any dialect
widely known to the people under the concerned area. It is already established that
one of the main objectives of the traffic signs is to provide means to control and
manage traffic. Yet, if such control devices would not be understood by less fortunate
people who were not that literate to know the meaning of such traffic signs, it would be
very helpful if a brief note would convey its meaning.
Such notations may be put in some obvious portions of the sign so that the
person concerned could notice it. I believe that there is nothing wrong in putting words
onto the traffic signs as long as it would promote better understanding of the
regulations incorporated with the signs. Also, I believe that putting words onto traffic
signs would greatly convey the considerations given to the less literate person of the
community. Such act would depict sensitivity on the part of the local government units,
as far as the people with not much knowledge on traffic signs are concerned.

E. J. B.


E105