Travel efficiency of the Metro Manila public transport network

Abstract

The sheer number of vehicles traversing roads in Metro Manila frequently leads to road congestion. To avoid heavy traffic, we often hear of plans to encourage the switch to public transport. Here we make an assessment of the travel time disincentive to use mass public transport (PT) compared to more individualized forms, including cabs. We compare the travel distributions of cars and PT in a fully connected journey network inside the National Capital Region (NCR). To model the origins and destinations of this network, the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm was used to weigh samples according to residential and commercial points of interest. Dijkstra's algorithm was used to route cars in street networks, while Pareto-optimal solutions for travel time and transfers were considered for PT. Given free flow in the street network, we found that travel times using PT are about five times longer with riding comprising most of the journey. However, walking and waiting still take a significant amount of time. Route lengths taken over PT were also three times longer than cars. Hence, this large travel time ratio has more to do with inefficiencies in the PT network rather than being a congestion issue. A more thorough analysis can then be performed to reflect efficiencies along high volume thoroughfares.