No surprises here: Metro Manila traffic was the worst in the world in 2023
“Last year, Metro Manila had the worst traffic congestion among 387 metro areas in the world, based on the 2023 TomTom Traffic Index.
“Metro Manila’s ranking rose by one last year versus in 2022, beating Colombia’s Bogota, which now drops to fifth place. A ‘metro area,’ as defined by TomTom, is ‘a circle covering the city and rural areas in close proximity.’
“On average, it took Metro Manila motorists 25min 30sec to travel 10km in 2023—that’s 50sec longer than it took to cover the same distance in 2022. We were on the road for 240 hours throughout the year, with 117 hours spent inching through rush-hour gridlock at an average speed of 19kph. All that time spent in traffic is equivalent to four days and 21 hours.
“Back to Metro Manila: Last year, Friday from 5pm to 6pm was the worst day and time to be on the road, requiring 35min 30sec to cover 10km. TomTom even identified the worst day to travel in 2023: It happened on December 15, when the average time to travel 10km was 31min 50sec.
“Remember those days when the metro got blanketed by smog? In 2023, CO2 emissions amounted to 1,027kg, with 304kg due to congestion. It’ll take 103 trees grown every year to negate the harmful effects of those emissions on the environment.”
Full story: Metro Manila traffic was the worst in the world in 2023
Report: New road connecting Clark Airport to NLEX, SCTEX in the works
“A new road that will connect Clark International Airport to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) is in the works.
“According to a report by PhilStar.com, CIA has announced that it will begin drawing up the detailed engineering design for the 2.7km CRK Direct Access Link. This road network will include northbound and southbound toll plazas that will provide motorists access to SCTEX, which then connects directly to NLEX.
“‘The hassle-free direct access link will provide travelers the sense of arrival from a faster and yet comfortable trip that will enhance the impression of our award-winning airport whose number of flights and passengers continue to grow,’ said CIA president Arrey Perez. ‘Apart from faster and more comfortable trips for travelers especially from Metro Manila and the northern parts of Luzon, the road project will exponentially boost potential for partners, locators, and investors in the airport complex that we are strongly pushing for development.’
“Target date for completion of the CRK Direct Access Link is 2026.”
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New Santo Tomas Interchange to be built on NLEX
“Residents of Santo Tomas, Pampanga, can look forward to quicker travel times in the future when the planned Santo Tomas Interchange on NLEX is completed.
“Part of the Greater Pampanga Circumferential Road Masterplan, the new interchange will be built by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in partnership with the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) and the NLEX Corporation. The three parties signed the memorandum of agreement this week.
“The NLEX Santo Tomas Interchange will serve as a link to the future Lubao–Guagua–Minalin–Santo Tomas (LGMST) Bypass Road, and will connect to major infrastructure projects in the town, including a new hospital and a university. It is also expected to ease congestion along the Olongapo-Gapan Road.
“No timeline or target completion date for the project has been released so far.”
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Check it out: Makati gets new Hyundai Ioniq 5 response vehicles
“Five Hyundai Ioniq 5 units make up Makati City’s new fleet of response vehicles that will help ensure the safety of everyone within the jurisdiction.
“The procurement of these EVs is in line with the local government’s goal to become a model city built upon sustainable and resilient communities. All five standard-range Ioniqs, which were delivered on January 18, are finished in Phantom Black Pearl and feature blue livery. To ensure they’ll always be up and running, chargers will be installed at the Makati City Hall and the barangay halls in Palanan and Guadalupe Viejo.
“‘As a resilience hub, we recognize our critical role in addressing environmental concerns,’ said Mayor Abby Binay. ‘By introducing Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric vehicles into our public safety fleet, we not only enhance our emergency response capabilities but also contribute to reducing air pollution and our overall carbon footprint. This move not only bolsters our emergency services but also sets an example for other cities to follow in the pursuit of sustainable urban living.’
“Since 2016, the LGU has rolled out initiatives and formed partnerships in support of its sustainability and resilience endeavors. One such collaborative effort is with the Korea International Cooperation Agency Philippines (KOICA), to create a public transport information and communications technology system and bus service.
“The city was a finalist at the recent 2023 World Smart Cities Awards—the only one from the country and the Asia Pacific region. Its entry was entitled ‘Makati City’s IoT Revolution: Empowering the City to Become Better Stewards of Energy and Environment.’”
