Relationship of Policy Adherence, Knowledge of Infrastructure Standards, and Road Safety Regulation Compliance with Road User Benefits of the Coastal Road Project

This study examined the factors that shaped the Coastal Road Project in Cagayan de Oro City, focusing on adherence to policies, knowledge of infrastructure standards, and compliance with road safety regulations. It aimed to evaluate how these factors contributed to mitigating traffic congestion, enhancing travel time, and reducing road accidents despite ongoing infrastructure improvements. Using a descriptive-correlational research design, the study was guided by the Sustainable Urban Transport Theory (SUTT) and surveyed 134 respondents, including drivers, commuters, and local government officials. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and regression analysis were employed to examine relationships among key variables and their contributions to the project’s outcomes. The results revealed that policy adherence, particularly the enforcement of penalties for traffic violations, played a significant role in reducing traffic congestion and improving road safety. However, no significant correlation was found between policy adherence and improvements in travel time. Regression results further indicated that although policy adherence, knowledge of infrastructure standards, and compliance with road safety regulations were important, they did not significantly contribute to the project's overall success in reducing travel time or road congestion. This suggested that other factors, such as improvements in infrastructure quality, were essential to optimizing the project’s outcomes. The study concluded that while policy enforcement could play an important role in improving road safety and reducing traffic congestion, it was crucial to pair it with ongoing infrastructure improvements, consistent rule enforcement, and heightened public awareness. Overall, the findings contributed to a broader understanding of how multiple factors collectively impacted urban mobility and road safety in rapidly growing cities like Cagayan de Oro.

policy adherence, infrastructure standards, road safety regulation compliance

1. ADB. (2022). Sustainable Transport Solutions for Southeast Asia. https://www.adb.org [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Akuh, R., Donani, M., Okyere, S., & Gyamfi, E. K. (2023). The impact of perceived safety, weather conditions, and convenience on motorcycle helmet use: The mediating role of traffic law enforcement and road safety education. IATSS Research, 47(2), 204–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iatssr.2023.03.001 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Al-Hajj, S., El Hechi, M., Chahrour, M., Farran, S. H., & Kaafarani, H. (2022). Factors affecting road safety compliance in a low-and middle-income country: an observational study from Lebanon. PLOS Global Public Health, 2(3), e0000154. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000154 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Banister, D. (2008). The sustainable mobility paradigm. Transport Policy, 15(2), 73–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2007.10.005 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Cafiso, S., Pappalardo, G., & Stamatiadis, N. (2021). Observed risk and user perception of road infrastructure safety. Infrastructures, 6(11), 154. https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures6110154 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Department of Public Works and Highways, Regional Office X. (2024). CY 2024 annual average daily traffic (AADT): Cagayan de Oro City Coastal Bypass Road [Dataset]. DPWH Regional Office X. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Department of Public Works and Highways. (2004). Road Safety Audit Manual. https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/dpwh/sites/default/files/Road%20Safety%20Audit%20Manual.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Department of Public Works and Highways. (n.d.). Road Safety Audit checklist – Existing Roads (DPWH-BQS-RSPD-02-F06 Rev 01) [PDF]. https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/Road%20Safety%20Audit%20Stage%206%20Checklist.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Dušek, L., Pardo, N., & Traxler, C. (2022). Salience and timely compliance: evidence from speeding tickets.Journal of Policy Analysis and Management,41(2), 426-449. https://doi.org/10.1002/pam.22387 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Fleiter, J. J., Hempel, J., & Sullman, M. J. M. (2023). The Impact of Speed Enforcement Programs on Traffic Violation Rates. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 177, 106-115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2022.106115 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Gamboa, F. Y. F., Osia, J. M. V., Tan, J. G., Yap, W. L., Abuzo, A., & Vallente, J. J. (2021). Network Analysis of Disaster Response Routes for Flooding: the case of Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. In Proceedings of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies (Vol. 13). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Hagan, D., Tarkang, E. E., & Aku, F. Y. (2021). Compliance of commercial motorcycle riders with road safety regulations in a peri-urban town of Ghana.PLoS one,16(3), e0246965. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246965 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Hossain, M. S., & Moniruzzaman, M. (2021). Effective traffic management systems: The role of signage and signals. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 81, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2021.05.003 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. International Transport Forum. (2021). Road safety annual report 2021: The impact of COVID-19. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/f3e48023-en [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Kang, K., & Silveira, B. S. (2021). Understanding disparities in punishment: Regulator preferences and expertise. Journal of Political Economy, 129(10), 2947–2992. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Kanwal, S., Rasheed, M. I., Pitafi, A. H., Pitafi, A., & Ren, M. (2020). Road and transport infrastructure development and community support for tourism: The role of perceived benefits, and community satisfaction. Tourism Management, 77, 104014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2019.104014 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Khalid, A., Naseem, I., Kamran, S. M., Khan, M. B., Abro, M. M. Q., & Zaman, K. (2025). Strategic Dimensions of Pakistan's Foreign Policy: The Role of CPEC, Energy Security, and Environmental Sustainability. Journal of Asian Development Studies, 14(1), 74–88. https://doi.org/10.62345/jads.2025.14.1.5 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Saltarin-Molino, M. A., Moros-Daza, A., & Camacho-Sánchez, C. (2023). Taking steps forward: Innovative evaluation of pedestrian infrastructure through a multivariate analysis. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 14, 101091. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2023.101091 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Sonde, J. T., Balugdet, J. G., Gemida, R. V., Meraña, H. A. M., Miranda, C. K. R., & Pascua, A. G. (2024). The effect of law enforcement in traffic management in selected roads in metro manila. Ignatian International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 2(12), 1732–1742. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Tien, N. H., Viet, P. Q., Duc, N. M., & Tam, V. T. (2021). Sustainability of tourism development in Vietnam's coastal provinces. World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 17(5), 579–598. https://doi.org/10.1504/WREMSD.2021.117443 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Vaiana, R., Gallelli, V., Iuele, T., & Bencardino, M. (2021). Road safety performance assessment: A new road network risk index for info-mobility. Transport Research Procedia, 52, 17–24. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. World Bank. (2022). Mobility and development (Spring 2022). World Bank. https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/10f732bd97e07697ae4ff58355dad91a-0190022022/original/Mobility-and-Development-Spring-2022.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. World Health Organization. (2023). Global status report on road safety 2023. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240086517 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Zahran, E. S., Tan, S. J., & Tan, C. P. (2021). Sustainable Urban Transport Planning in Cities of Developing Countries. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 145, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2020.11.002 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Zhang, J., & Cheng, Y. (2023). Optimal design of drainage facilities on urban roads and green spaces. Sustainability, 15(22), 15737. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152215737 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Zhou, Y., Zheng, R., & Liu, X. (2020). Developing and evaluating traffic safety measures for urban road networks. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 145, 105698. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Stochastic Reliability Analysis of Peak Hour Factor Variations and Their Impact on Intersection Signal Delay
• Sensor Technology in Intelligent Transportation Systems - Lane Departure Warnings
• Decarbonizing Mobility in Rapidly Motorizing Contexts: Structural Constraints and Incremental Pathways for Low-Carbon Transport in Cameroon
• Public Perception on Government-Owned Public Bus System in Freetown: A Case Study of WAKA FINE Bus