i

GIS MAPPING OF ROAD ACCIDENTS BASIS FOR RISK

ASSESSMENT STRATEGY OF ROAD SAFETY ALONG
NATIONAL HIGHWAY IN LAAK, COMPOSTELA
VALLEY PROVINCE

____________________

An Undergraduate Thesis Presented to the Administration

and Faculty of the Civil Engineering Program,
St. Mary’s College of Tagum, Inc.
Tagum City

____________________

In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the

Degree of Bachelor of Science
in Civil Engineering

by

RHOJAMES R. CAMPOS
JUMILO S. ANTONIO
ALLEN JAMES G. PIABOL
CHRIS DY MAE B. MICABALO
BRYAN A. SANCHEZ

March 2019
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APPROVAL SHEET

This thesis entitled “GIS MAPPING OF ROAD ACCIDENTS BASIS FOR

RISK ASSESSMENT STRATEGY OF ROAD SAFETY ALONG NATIONAL
HIGHWAY IN LAAK, COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE”, is prepared and
submitted by RHOJAMES R. CAMPOS, JUMILO S. ANTONIO, ALLEN JAMES
G. PIABOL, CHRIS DY MAE B. MICABALO, BRYAN A. SANCHEZ, in partial
fulfillment of the course requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in
Civil Engineering has been examined, approved and accepted and is hereby
endorsed.

AMADEUS B. PALOMATA, CE
Adviser
__________________________________________________________________
PANEL OF EXAMINERS

S. MA. DARBY FAYE P. LOQUILLANO, RVM

Chairman

NEIL RYAN B. ADO, MAEd JEPTE M. ELISEO, CE

Member Member

JOSE MARIE E. OCDENARIA, MAEd

Member

______________________________________________________________________________
ACCEPTED and APPROVED in partial fulfillment of the course
requirements for Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

Oral Examination: November 18, 2018

S. MA. DARBY FAYE P. LOQUILLANO, RVM

Program Head, Civil Engineering

NEIL RYAN B. ADO, MAEd

Research Director
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
“I can do all things Christ who strengthen me”
-Philippians 4:30

Every page of this research paper is a testimony of our creative minds

and efforts.

We would like to thank those persons who truly deserve our deep

gratitude for the success of this endeavor.

First, to our God almighty who shines his blessings and goodness for

every moment that we made this.

Second, to our parents for their love, prayers, caring and sacrifices for

educating and who really supported us throughout our life and who believe

that we achieve our dreams and goals in life.

Third, we would like to express our deep and sincere gratitude to our

beloved teacher Sir Jose Marie Ocdenaria, research professor of St. Mary’s

College of Tagum, Inc. who always reminds us to do and follow up our

research subject. His dynamism, vision, sincerity and motivation have

deeply inspired us.

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Fourth, to our panel of examiners who taught us the methodology to

carry out the research and to present the research works as clearly as

possible.

Next, to the (DMO-III) of Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and

Management Office Sir Godofredo Renobuas, and to the Province of Laak

Development and Planning Office Engr. Baga who showed their support

and guide to help in achieving this endeavor.

Also, to our adviser Engr. Amadeus B. Palomata who really

continued inspiring us by what he achieved in his profession and relayed to

us what an Engineer should be.

Finally, we would like to thank those who are with us in this journey.

May the Lord our God bless them to have a genuine happiness.

Campos, R.R.
Antonio, J.S.
Piabol, A.J.G.
Micabalo, C.D.M.B.
Sanchez, B.A.
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ABSTRACT

This quantitative- descriptive study aimed to determine the

potential locations for the most numbered areas of accidents
along the National Highway of Laak and to establish a
Geographic Information System (GIS) map based on the data
gathered and propose a Risk Assessment Strategy Safety
Manual to determine the areas, the average frequency, the
risk category, and the treatment priority. By using the
statistical graph, The researchers can see the most numbered
accidents per month and per year. Based on the findings, the
researchers found out that the Barangays along the National
Highway of Laak is having the most numbered of the
accidents because of the road condition, human error and
vehicle’s error. This study would greatly benefit future
researchers, government organizations and especially for the
constitute of Laak, Compostela Valley Province if this study
will be successful.

Keywords: GIS (Geographic Information System), DPWH Road Safety Design

Manual, Laak, Compostela Valley Province, Number of accidents per
year and per month.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

TITLE PAGE i

APPROVAL SHEET ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iii

ABSTRACT v

TABLE OF CONTENTS vi

LIST OF FIGURES viii

LIST OF TABLES x

CHAPTER

1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

Background of the Study 1

Objectives of the Study 4

Review of Related Literature and Studies 5

Conceptual Paradigm of the Study 8

Significance of the Study 11

Definition of Terms 12

2 METHOD

Research Design 15

Research Locale 17
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Research Instrument 20

Research Procedure 26

Treatment of the data 27

3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Number of road accidents per year starting 29

from year 2015 to 2018

Statistical Graphs 31

Heatmap of all recorded accidents from 63

2015-2018 using GIS software

4 FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary of Findings 71

Conclusions 73

Recommendations 74

REFERENCES 77

APPENDICES 80

CURRICULUM VITAE 63
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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page

1 The Conceptual Paradigm of the Study 10

2.1 Municipal Map showing the location of Laak, 18

Compostela Valley Province using Geographic
Information Systems

2.2 Municipal Map showing the location of Laak, 19

Compostela Valley Province using Geographic
Information Systems

3 Number of Accidents per Year 30

4.1 Crash Factors (2015) 31

4.2 Crash Factors (2016) 33

4.3 Crash Factors (2017) 35

4.4 Crash Factors (2018) 37

5.1 Types of Vehicles Involve in Accidents (2015) 39

5.2 Types of Vehicles Involve in Accidents (2016) 41

5.3 Types of Vehicles Involve in Accidents (2017) 43

5.4 Types of Vehicles Involve in Accidents (2018) 45

6.1 Accident Category (2015) 47

6.2 Accident Category (2016) 49

6.3 Accident Category (2017) 51

6.4 Accident Category (2018) 53

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7.1 Number of Accidents per Month (2015) 55

7.2 Number of Accidents per Month (2016) 57

7.3 Number of Accidents per Month (2017) 59

7.4 Number of Accidents per Month (2018) 61

8.1 Heatmap of Road Accidents Along 63

Laak National Highway (2015)
8.2 Heatmap of Road Accidents Along 65
Laak National Highway (2016)

8.3 Heatmap of Road Accidents Along 67

Laak National Highway (2017)
8.4 Heatmap of Road Accidents Along 69
Laak National Highway (2018)
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LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

2.2 Likelihood Definition 23

2.4 Risk Category 24

2.5 Treatment Priority 25

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Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

Background of the Study

Accident is an unplanned moment that cannot be predicted but it can

be prevented or minimized if there are safety measures prior to its

occurrence. Many accidents may happen every day that can be fatal to

everyone. It includes vehicular accidents caused by curved road, lack of

street lights, and many more. Most of the time, there are many people who

are travelling using their own vehicle although they follow the safety

measures, but the problem is the safety of the road.

As stated by Akpoghomeh (2015), road traffic accident is therefore an

issue of great international concern as it has emerged as the single most

source of death all over the world. In the developing countries where the

number of motor vehicles relating to population is generally much lower

than in the developed countries, fatalities from automobile crashes are

higher. It has been shown, for instance, that accidents in developing

countries cost almost one percent of these countries. Nigeria, with a total

land area of 910,771 square kilometers and human population of about 167

million, is the most populated country in Africa, and the 7th most populous
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nation in the world. Its large land mass and burgeoning population correlate

with its high level of vehicular population estimated at over 7.6 million with

a total road length of about 194,000 kilometers, comprising 34, 120 km 2

federal, 30,500 km, state and 129,580 km of local roads. Its population

density which varies in rural and urban areas approximately 51.7 percent

and 48.3 percent respectively translates to a population road ratio of 860

persons per square kilometers indicating intense traffic pressure on the

available road networks. Nigeria continues to feature in the bottom half of

World Health Organization country rankings of road traffic accidents.

Indeed, news of road traffic accidents in Nigeria no longer stirs any surprise.

100 lives lost to fatal accident in the Nyanya, such news indicates that we

live in accidents every day.

According to Aika Rey (2018) in Manila, Philippines it is more than

half of those who die in road accidents in the Philippines are motorcycle

riders, according to a new road safety report of the World Health

Organization (WHO). In its Global Status Report on Road Safety 2015, the

WHO said 53 percent of reported road traffic fatalities in the Philippines are

riders of motorized two or three-wheeler vehicles. Pedestrians make up the

second biggest chunk of road user deaths at 19 percent, followed by drivers

of four-wheeled vehicles at 14 percent and their passengers at 14 percent.

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Based on 2013 data from the Philippines Department of Public Works and

Highway-Traffic Accident Recording and Analysis System, 1,513 people

have died due to road accidents. According to the Metro Manila

Development Authority (2015), motorcycles are more prone to accidents as

they are expose the driver and passengers to twice as much risk than in four-

wheel vehicles. Specifically, on motorcycles, accidents have been declared

as one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines. The alarmingly

growing number of motorcycle accidents can be attributed to a number of

environment and driver dependent factors specifically variables found in

the Philippine Police Report form. Among the environment factors in the

form are day, time and month of the accident, junction type, movement,

road character/type, surface and lighting conditions.

According to Corrales (2015), road accidents in Cagayan de Oro

reached 731 at up from 679 from the same period per year. Damage from

the accidents amounted to P5.9 million, compared to 4.3 million last year,

the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) said in a report released to Sun.

Star Cagayan de Oro. The accidents were classified as vehicle against vehicle

with 473 incidents; 105 vehicle incidents against motorcycle and 50 vehicle
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incidents versus pedestrian. There were three deaths – two in a vehicle

against motorcycle and one in vehicle against pedestrian.

According to Renobuas (DMO-III) from Disaster Risk Reduction

Office, Laak has 52 barangays and these arethe five barangays that is known

for most recorded road accidents along the National Highway in Laak,

Compostela Valley Province. Today, the researchers suggest to find out

more and locate other barangays that were having a frequent road accident.

As indicated by the rescue team of Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction

and Management Council (MDRRMC) of Laak, they will provide the

average record of all accidents including the road accidents alone in their

agency for the year 2018 along the National Highway of Laak Province.

Objective of the Study

The objective of this study was to create a GIS-based map reflecting

the most recorded number of road accident in the Barangays of Laak,

Compostela Valley Province. Also, in order to know of what solution to be

employ in that situation or how to prevent accidents.

In order to achieve the purpose of this research, these are the

following objectives:
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1. To determine the number of road accidents per year starting from

year 2015 to 2018;

2. To provide a statistical graph based on the following;

2.1 Crash factors (Vehicle, Driver’s error, and Quality of road);

2.2 Type of vehicles involved (PUV, SUV, trucks, buses, cars and

motor vehicles);

2.3 Accident category (Fatal, injury and property damage);

2.4 Average number of recorded accidents per month basis

(January – December) 2018;

3. To pin-point the location of all recorded cases of road accidents from

2015 – 2018 using GIS software; and

4. To propose the Risk Assessment Strategy according to Department of

Public Works and Highways Road Safety Design Manual.

Review of Relative Literature and Studies

This study focused on the common causes of road accidents and ways

on how to prevent it. As stated previously, road accidents usually happen

due to lack of the driver’s discipline, road infrastructure, speeding and

overtaking, talking on phone while driving, breaking traffic rules.The

researcher will conduct a GIS software for mapping-out the road that is
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prone in accidents. These literatures will help in the understanding of what

possible factors will lead to further explanation of road accidents, and how

to prevent common cause of accidents.

Accidents, tragically, are not often due to ignorance, but are due to

carelessness, thoughtlessness and over confidence. According to Haddon

(2015) has pointed out that road accidents were associated with numerous

problems each of which needed to be addressed separately human, vehicle

and environmental factors play roles before, during and after a trauma

event. Accidents, therefore, can be studied in terms of agent, host and

environmental factors, classified into time, place and person distribution.

According to Horrey (2015), Humans typically build inflated or

incorrect estimates of their own ability or performance. Such errors in

activity will be, because of incomplete process, neglect of accessible

information or because of improper deliberation or integration of the

knowledge and may impact our decision-making, risk tolerance, and

behavior’s.

Based on the journal Study on the Identification of Accident-Prone

Location in Road Network (Zhang et al, 2010), all through the identification

of the accident susceptible areas of a road, intersection are also identified as

a road segment. Identification of prioritized avenue places is primarily

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based on the seriousness of the street accidents then the locations of the

accidents are recognized. In figuring out the most hazardous phase of a

road, one needs to collect facts that consist of variety of accident on every

segment, road capacity and road condition.

According to Dew (2018), vehicle mechanical condition sometimes

contributes to accidents. Whether or not defective operation of a vehicle will

excuse a driver from fault for causing an accident depends on all of the

circumstances of the accident and factors such as the following may be

relevant: whether the defect was one that ought to have been detected prior

to driving the vehicle; whether the defect was simply a shortcoming of the

vehicle (such as lack of anti-lock brakes) which the driver out to have known

about and accounted for; whether, despite the defect, the defendant could

have avoided the accident; and whether the accident would have occurred

even absent the defect. These are the examples of accidents cause by

mechanical errors; defective brakes, burst tires, wheels detaching and cargo

not secured. These are the possible causes of road accidents.

According to Sy (2017), based on MMARAS reports from 2010-2016,

human error has been the top cause of road crashes in Metro Manila. Human

error, as defined by the MMARAS, refers to the different forms of negligence

and physical challenges or distractions that a driver faces, leading to road

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crashes. Examples of these are inattentiveness, counter-flowing, bad

turning, losing control of the vehicle, speeding up, and sudden stopping. In

the 2016 MMARAS report, some human error examples included drivers

suffering medical problems such as dizziness and asthma; drivers who are

tired or were asleep at the wheel; and drivers under the influence of alcohol.

The top identified human error for fatal injury, nonfatal injury, and damage

to property is driver’s error. Aside from human error, other top causes of

road crashes in 2016 are vehicle defect and road defect. These are the

examples of accidents caused by human errors; speeding and overtaking,

poor road infrastructures, drunk driving, rain, running stop signs, running

red lights, reckless driving, and teenage driving.

According to the DPWH Road Safety Design Manual, the Risk

Assessment Strategy was used to determine the priorities of action when

considering design options or decisions that may have safety implications

which is necessary for road safety report audit needed by the Project

Engineer or designer to approach such concerns.

Conceptual Paradigm of the Study

The main focus of this study was to identify and analyze the area that

occurred more recorded accident along the National Highway in the

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Municipality of Laak, Compostela Valley Province and to apply the risk

assessment for road safety report. This framework will show us on how to

investigate and understand the topic. The given diagram will show the

whole sequence of the research (see Figure 1).

The first box shows that the researchers gathered and interpreted the

data from year 2014 to 2017 which is prone on accident in Laak Municipality

road. The second box is the application of GIS modeling to locate the prone

area of accidents. The last box shows the Implementation of road safety

measures.
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Gathering and Interpretation

of Data from year 2014 to 2017

Providing Statistical Graph

 Crash factors

 Vehicles involved

 Accident category

 Average number of road accidents per month

 Number of recorded road accidents per year

Application of GIS Modelling

Select a location from GIS map

created and perform the Risk
Assessment Strategy

Figure 1. The Conceptual Paradigm of the Study

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Significance of the Study

The beneficiary of this study is the community of Laak; commuters

and drivers. Promoting road safety and it will provide information in

avoiding road accidents. This research will improve the development of the

following sectors:

National and Local Government. This study will be used by the road

safety authorities for evaluating and planning road safety measures. This

will help the Municipal Government to lessen the rate of road accidents.

Commuters and Drivers. Due to difficulties and hindrance of

transporting and commuting that could cause accident, this study will

implement road safety measures. The result of this study will enable the

commuters and drivers to feel comfortable when traveling.

St. Mary's College of Tagum, Inc.. This is the institution where the

researchers are taking their bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. This

study will help the school in maintaining public awareness to the students,

parents or guardians, visitors and the faculty and staffs. Lastly, it will

provide an improvement to the institution when it comes in research.

Department of Public Works and Highways. This study will help

them in maintaining the road safety of the road for the commuters and

drivers.
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Future Investigators and Researchers. The data presented in this

study can be used as reference. It will also give ideas and knowledge on

developing an appropriate road design. Finally, it can be used by the road

safety authorities for planning and evaluating safety measures.

Definition of Terms

Terms used in this research were conceptually and operationally

defined for better understanding of the readers.

Road. It is a wide way leading from one place to another, especially

one with a specially prepared surface that vehicles can use (Oxford

Dictionary, 2018). In this study, it refers to which road areas are safety

wherein accident is prone to happen in the Municipality of Laak,

Compostela Valley.

Road Safety. It is teaching people about their behavioral safety

attitudes while driving or crossing the road to prevent road accident

(Cambridge Dictionary, 2018).In this study, it refers to prevent accidents

and to implement road safety measures.

Accident Prone Area. This area is having a greater than average

number of accidents (Merriam Dictionary, 2018). In this study, it refers to

the common areas with the greatest number of possible fatal road accidents
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recorded in the Municipality of Laak, Compostela Valley Province wherein

accidents seldom happen.

GIS Software. The acronym GIS refers to Geographic Information

Systems- a tool that allows geographers and analyst to visualize data in

several different ways in order to see the patterns and relationship in a given

area. These patterns generally appear on maps but they can also be found

on globes or in reports and charts (About Education, 2018). In this study,

GIS will provide the ability to display and view map. The process involves

encoding, storage, processing, and display of computerized map.

Commuters. One that travels regularly from one place to another, as

from suburb to city and back (The Free Dictionary, 2018). In this study, it

refers to the passengers who use public transportation.

Accidents. An unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance

(Merriam Webster Dictionary, 2018). In this study, it refers to the accidents

happening in the Municipality of Laak, Compostela Valley Province.

Road Condition. Is a long narrow stretch with a smoothed or paved

surface, made for traveling by motor vehicle, carriage, and the condition of

road itself (Dictionary.com, 2018) In this study, it refers to the factors of

accident and the condition of road in the Municipality of Laak, Compostela

Valley Province.
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Risk Assessment Strategy. It is a measurement taken to increase or

ensure safety or protection from danger (Collins English Dictionary, 2018).

In this study, it is the numerous ways of safety measures on preventing road

accidents.

Driver’s Error. It is a person's mistake rather than on the failure of a

machine (Merriam Webster Dictionary, 2018). In this study, it refers to the

factors of accident and to determine the frequency of accident which is cause

by human error.

Vehicle Condition. It is an error made, performed, or operated by or

as if by a machine or machinery itself (Reverso Dictionary, 2018). In this

study, it refers to the factors of accident and to determine the frequency of

accident which is cause by mechanical error.