Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 20) — The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) admitted that Metro Manila has a serious traffic problem, but expressed reservations on a study ranking it as the worst in the world in 2023.
Data from TomTom Traffic Index showed that motorists spend 25 minutes and 30 seconds per 10 kilometers on the roads of the capital region – with Quezon Avenue tagged as the busiest.
However, based its own data, the MMDA said EDSA remains Metro Manila’s busiest road, while Quezon Avenue only ranked third.
\”We want to know the methodology employed. If there is an actual count and when did they conduct the study,\” MMDA Acting Chairman Don Artes told reporters on Friday.
TomTom Traffic Index said its report is based on floating car data, which uses a representative sample to assess and show how traffic has evolved in cities.
Artes said factors contributing to the worsening traffic include the increasing number of vehicles, road repairs, illegal parking, ongoing infrastructure projects, the suspension of the No Contact Apprehension Policy, and vehicular accidents.
\”In EDSA alone, there are over 400,000 vehicles traversing the highway daily but its carrying capacity is only for 300,000 vehicles,\” Artes explained.
To solve the worsening traffic, the MMDA said it is looking into the proposed EDSA elevated walkways, and recommended the construction of subway trains.
In a separate statement, the Department of Transportation vowed to \”fast-track road projects while collaborating with appropriate agencies with the help of the private sector.\”
