Estimating Traffic and Emissions for Various Scenarios of Freight Vehicle Restrictions in Metro Manila

Abstract

This paper examines the traffic and environmental impacts of various scenarios of freight vehicle restrictions in the major streets of Metro Manila. Vehicle flows and emissions are estimated for a range of alternative scenarios involving truck restraints on urban roads. Network flows are approximated through a traffic assignment model and an origin-destination matrix for Metro Manila. Vehicle emissions are then estimated using speed and emission factors. The study is aided by Geographic Information System (GIS) particularly in setting-up the transportation network and in data manipulation and visualization. The alternative scenarios are then compared and analyzed for two spatial areas; i.e. regional and area-specific areas. Results of the study show that the existing large freight vehicle restriction policy is not very effective when viewed from a regional scale, although if viewed from an area-specific scale, it can be very effective in reducing local traffic and environmental impacts.