Introduction

In partial fulfilment of Transportation Engineering (CE421), Section

4CE-C of Faculty of Engineering, University of Santo Tomas, was tasked to
investigate the impact of University of Santo Tomas on the traffic flow along
Espaa Boulevard. University of Santo Tomas is situated in Sampaloc, Manila
bounded by P. Noval St., Dapitan St., A.H. Lacson Ave. and Espaa Boulevard.
The university is composed of several colleges, faculties, and
institutions offering undergraduate, graduate and post graduate degrees. It is
also a research university and one of the worlds largest catholic universities
in terms of population. A large number of commuters and pedestrians are
expected to traverse Espaa Boulevard which is the route undertaken by
jeepneys, fx and busses coming from Quezon City and Quiapo Manila. Private
vehicles also comprise a lot of the traffic volume along the existing road
network and it is imperative to conduct a study to assess the traffic volume
generated by the said university.
The Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) report is developed in order to
identify existing traffic situation along Espaa Boulevard and provide
necessary recommendation for future development of traffic condition. It
recognises the impacts and traffic effects of University of Santo Tomas and
how it affects the current traffic situation within the vicinity.
The objectives of the study are to estimate the current traffic volume
taken at different intersections, to assess the current performance of the

existing

road

conditions

and

to

give

recommendation

for

future

development in order to address the effects of increased traffic volume.

The extent of the study are taken by manual counting of vehicles along
the intersections of Espaa-Blumentritt, Espaa-Maceda, Espaa-Vicente
Cruz, Espaa-Dela Fuente, Espaa-Lacson and Espaa-P. Noval. The data
gathered are for peak-hour and nonpeak-hour time periods. Morning peakhour period started from 7 A.M. to 9 A.M. and 4 P.M. to 6 P.M. for afternoon
peak-hour period while nonpeak-hour period is taken from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M.
The report is composed of the following sections:
Section 1: Introduction - specify the background of the study and
structure of report
Section 2: Location and Site provides a detailed description of the site
and its

surrounding road networks

Section 3: General Description of Road Environment presents the

different
characteristics of the intersection
Section 4: Data Summary shows the data gathered at different
intersection and time

periods

Section 5: Data Analysis outlines the assessment based on gathered

data
Section 6: Impact of UST to the Traffic Flow of Observed Intersection
provides the
existing traffic condition

general effects of the site on the

Section 7: Conclusion and Recommendations- provides a summary of

the report and

proposition for development

GROUP 1- Espaa- Blumentritt Intersection

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ROAD ENVIRONMENT
Blumentritt Road is a 2 lane road that runs from Rizal Avenue near PNR
Blumentritt and Blumentritt LRT Station to Gregorio Tuazon Street in
Sampaloc District. It also serves as a southern boundary for Manila North
Cemetery. It was originally named Calle Sangleyes meaning Chinese
Merchants Street but later renamed after a Bohemian professor and

filipinologist, Ferdinand Blumentritt. The road intersects Bonifacio Avenue,

Laon Laan Road, and Espaa Boulevard.

Data Analysis
AM peak observations
Cars, Taxi and SUVs constitute almost 60% of the traffic volume during
the peak-hour time period. Private vehicles dominate a large portion of this
percentage since most of the road users prefer private transport over public
transport. Espaa Blvd is considered to be congested during this time period
servicing an average of 2100 vehicles per hour. Busses that pass the
intersection is only around 40-50 units which can be considered very low
given the amount of units that traverse the intersection. The traffic flow is
very slow with intervals of stoppage at certain periods.
Nonpeak Observation
There was no noticeable decrease in the number of vehicles even
though it was considered a non-peak hour. There was an increase in the
number of Cars, Taxi and SUVs but the number of busses decreased. The
number of motorcycles remained at around 450-500 units. It can also be
observed that the truck units increased from an average of 40 units to 70
units.
PM peak observations
The most number of vehicles is around this time period with 4500-4900
units combined
for eastbound and westbound directions. Compared to AM
peak, Cars, Taxi and SUVs increased
by 30% and the number of jeepneys
also increased. Westbound vehicles are greater than
eastbound vehicles by
only a small fraction. Motorcycles remained at around 450 units.