New scheme on EDSA-Quezon Ave. corner expected to ease traffic flow

The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) has implemented a new traffic scheme along the corner of Quezon Avenue and EDSA in Quezon City to address the complaints and suggestions of motorists regarding heavy traffic along EDSA, a major thoroughfare.

Aside from the traffic regulation in the designated flyover and underpass, the barricades along Quezon Avenue were also removed and a new traffic light was installed to assist motorists, especially the ones using the U-turn slot.

“Doon sa road intersection sa Quezon Avenue, pwede nang dumiretso ang mga sasakyan mula Quzon Boulevard at kakaliwa sa EDSA. Both directions 'yun. Gayundin sa mga sasakyan sa EDSA, puwedeng dumiretso at kumaliwa sa Quezon Boulevard,” PNP-HPG director Chief Supt. Arnold Gunnacao said in an interview on 'News To Go' on Monday.

“Sa ilalim ng Quezon Avenue flyover, mayroong U-turn slot. Kung northbound ka, puwede ka nang mag-U-turn agad before ng intersection, at ganoon din para sa mga southbound,” he added.

Loading and unloading areas for provincial buses along the area were also removed, Gunnacao said. The PNP-HPG hopes that the installment of the new traffic light will help ease the traffic along EDSA-Quezon Avenue.

More adjustments will be made in the following weeks, including changes on the Service Road.

“'Yung mga nasa service road ay papaderetsuhin na natin. Tatanggalin na ang mga barikada sa rightmost lanes para doon makaderetso ang mga nasa Service Road papunta sa kabila ng EDSA,” Gunnacao said.

Unclear road lanes

According to the PNP-HPG director, among the major traffic problems in Metro Manila are the unclear road lanes, the unruly motorists, and the overwhelming volume of vehicles.

“Unang-una, wala tayong malinaw na linya na sinusunod ng mga motorista. Kung minsan, sa isang linya, naggigitgitan ang dalawang sasakyan kasi walang malinaw na linya. Pangalawa, hindi sanay ang drivers natin na sumunod sa traffic rules kaya 'yan talaga ang tinuturo natin ngayon. At siyempre, 'yung volume talaga ng sasakyan lalo na sa area ng Cubao,” Gunnacao said.

One of the areas with the heaviest traffic almost every day is EDSA-Kamuning to Cubao, where terminals of provincial buses and bus stops are situated.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is now working with the PNP-HPG to improve the road situation, first and foremost by painting road lanes for better traffic regulation along the main thoroughfare.

“Bago mag-cross ng Ortigas Avenue extension at pabalik, mayroon nang nakalagay na Lanes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Pati sa Cubao, meron na para magkaroon na ng lane designation ang private vehicles at buses,” Gunnacao said.

"Nose in, nose out" rule

The 'Nose in, nose out' rule is also implemented for the major bus terminal along EDSA.

“Ang paglabas ng buses sa kanilang terminals ay kino-control natin. Hindi basta-bastang nakakalabas at hindi dapat sila sa EDSA nagmamaniobra ng mga sasakyan nila. Ini-implement namin 'yung sinasabi ng LTO na 'Nose in, nose out” kung saan pagdating sa terminal, ipapasok ang ulo, at kapag lalabas ay aatras na lamang at hindi na ima-maneuver pa at babaliktarin ang sasakyan,” Gunnacao said.

Another problem that may be solved by proper road lanes regulation is the congestion on bus lanes, which are sometimes occupied by private vehicles. Because of this, buses may cause congestion on both private lanes and bus lanes.

“Mas mabilis na sana ang biyahe sa bus lanes kaya lang may private vehicles na dumaraan doon dahil nakikita nila na wala namang buses na nandoon, kaya lumilipat sila. Pagdating tuloy ng buses at puno na sa bus lane, lumilipat naman sila sa private lanes kasi nahaharangan na ng private vehicles 'yung daanan nila,” Gunnacao said.

The cooperation from both public and private motorists are needed to solve problems such as the lane regulation, he added.

While social media posts help in the apprehension of violators along the roads, Gunnacao said his team is currently more focused on responding to problems on the field to avoid misinterpretation of details.

“'Yung mga nasa Facebook ay hindi na masyadong pinapansin dahil ang concentration namin ay 'yung mga nasa field mismo. Minsan kasi, iba ang nasa Facebook at iba rin ang pagkakapaliwanag,” he said. —Bianca Rose Dabu/KBK, GMA News