DPWH: Commonwealth Ave high risk for bikers, pedestrians

The entire Commonwealth Avenue, the 12.4-km stretch of "killer highway" in Quezon City, is a "100-percent" risk to bicyclists and pedestrians, the Department of Public Works and Highways said Thursday. In a statement posted on the DPWH website, Public Works chief Rogelio Singson said this was the preliminary result of the road assessment conducted by Korean and Australian road analysts under the International Road Assessment Program (iRAP Philippines). "(The preliminary assessment showed) the entire Commonwealth Avenue has generated a star rating of one to two stars, considered to be high-risk, for bikers and pedestrians," the DPWH said . For vehicle occupants, 69 percent of Commonwealth Avenue has was ranked one- to two stars. But for motorcycle riders, 89 percent of the highway has a one- to two-star rating, the DPWH said. Commonwealth Avenue was the site of an accident that killed journalist-professor Lourdes "Chit" Estella-Simbulan last May 13. An earlier report on The Manila Times cited records from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) showing at least 2,743 accidents happened along Commonwealth Avenue in 2010. Of this number, 21 were fatal; 608 were non-fatal and 2,114 resulted in damage to property. But since January this year, at least 100 people have been arrested for speeding and slapped with a fine of P1,200. A separate story on Journal Online said the more than 2,000 accidents is almost eight percent of the total number of road accidents that occurred in Quezon City. Star ratings The iRAP’s Star Ratings are based on road inspection data collected through digital images and geo-referencing and analysis of design features known to influence the likelihood of crashes as well as their severity. Design features that were analyzed include intersection design, road cross-sections and markings, roadside hazards, and pedestrian lanes. Singson said Commonwealth Avenue has become high risk because of the high level of activity along the highway, with 27 percent of the road having neither footpaths or with footpaths but are obstructed. "It was also observed that there are numerous pedestrian bridges without accompanying pedestrian fences while some of the pedestrian bridges end on traffic lanes," the DPWH said. The DPWH noted that 97 percent of Commonwealth Avenue has a medium- or high-level of obstruction encroaching on the road. Most of the obstructions include ambulant vendors, while almost the entire road has severe roadsides with poles, trees, and end barriers occupying within the five-meter pavement. "With the high volume of traffic along the highway, there are also few intersections without traffic signals," the DPWH said. On the other hand, Singson said the presence of a center median has helped avoid the occurrence of head-on crashes. "In the worthy effort of reducing the risk of road accident along Commonwealth Avenue, a total comprehensive approach focusing on infrastructure, speed management, and behavior will be needed," Singson said. — RSJ, GMA News