The macroscopic effect of U-turn slots on urban travel in Metro Manila

Several traffic management measures have already been applied to solve the recurring traffic congestion problem in Metro Manila. The recent one being implemented by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is the provision of U-turn slots along major corridors in lieu of signalized intersections. This study measured the macroscopic effect of U-turn slots on urban travel in Metro Manila by comparing urban-wide travel parameters like vehicle-kilometers, vehicle-hours, average travel speed with the U-turn slots as against signalized intersections without U-turn slots. The transport modeling process used the EMME/2 software. Focusing on the major circumferential and radial roads of Metro Manila, results showed that with U-turn slots in place, urban travel increased by 1,567 vehicle-hours and 4,822 vehicle kilometers during the morning peak hour period compared to standard signalized intersections in place. Closing all the U-turn slots and opening all the signalized intersections did not guarantee best results. Using selective closures of some of the existing U-turn slots resulted to a much reduced vehicle-kilometers and vehicle-hours of travel during the morning peak hour period