EDSA travel time now shorter – HPG

MANILA, Philippines - More than a month after the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) took over traffic management along EDSA, travel time on the stretch of the 24-kilometer highway has improved.

Sr. Supt. Fortunato Guerrero, commander of Task Force EDSA, said yesterday the HPG is working hard to further shorten the travel time on EDSA.

“If we can calibrate the stoplight along EDSA, which we are already studying, we can adjust and make it in sequence. We are also clearing arterial roads like Ortigas and La Salle, two chokepoints in the area,” said Guerrero in a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

“If there is a light traffic condition, definitely the travel time will be shortened.”

Guerrero said the HPG recently conducted a survey among passengers of public utility vehicles, particularly buses.

“At present, (we believe we have addressed) our traffic congestion problem – mainly because of undisciplined drivers, especially those in public commuter buses.”

He noted that the major causes of traffic congestion are the number of stalled motor vehicles and traffic accidents occurring daily, especially during rush hour.

Aside from the chokepoints earlier identified, Guerrero said 10 major control points – Balintawak, Muñoz, Trinoma-Quezon Avenue stretch, Kamuning-Cubao stretch, P. Tuazon-Santolan, Ortigas, Shaw Boulevard, Guadalupe, Mantrade-Magallanes stretch and Tramo to Pasay Taft – are congested with vehicles.

“In the 10 control points, our area of concern is the Kamuning-P. Tuazon where travel time is still long because of the many traffic hindrances. First is the huge number of bus stops, bus terminals and merging traffic from Quezon Boulevard, Timog, Kamuning and flyovers,” he said.

Guerrero said the HPG has recommended to traffic authorities to make intervals of traffic lights longer.  – With Paolo Romero