Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Carvajal: Magic of 'alternate merge' By Orlando P. Carvajal Break Point
SINCE we can produce rice abundantly if we want to, we could really lay a great deal of the blame for its high price on government because of its failure to invest on needed infrastructure for optimal rice production. And since rice is an everyday staple, reducing consumption because of rising prices is not a realistic option.
This, however, is not true with oil. We are not an oil-producing country and must suffer the vagaries of the market forces that determine its price. Transport strikes are not going to bring the price of oil down. Reducing consumption or improving fuel economy is, therefore, a realistic option. We just have to correct our wasteful ways.
For long-term fuel economy, plans for a mass transport system should be re-visited. It is high time Cebu has a mass transport system of its own. On the short-term, we can drastically reduce fuel consumption by eliminating two wasteful ways of driving.
One gas waster is the stop-and-go driving by public utility vehicles to pick up or drop off passengers anywhere they want. Gas is wasted since the vehicles are always on low gear and are hardly able to go on cruising speed. And when a jeepney, for instance, stops (even on a green light in intersections) to pick up a passenger it wastes not only its own fuel but the fuel of those who cannot get through because of this inconsiderate practice.
In fairness to our traffic management group we do have designated stops along Osmena Blvd. But we need more of them in other routes. We also need a stricter enforcement of no stopping zones. One does not need to be a genius to know that the gas saved when down-shifting is minimized can be substantial.
The other big-time gas waster is the iya-iya and paugatan way we manage traffic snarls and bottlenecks. Civilized countries have found the magic of a solution in “alternate merge.” This is a disciplined way to keep traffic flowing in case of foul-ups. But somehow we have never learned this trick. Instead we end up in a gridlock when we do the iya-iya and paugatan style of wiggling oneself out of the jam.
God only knows how much gas is wasted by all the cars moving an inch at a time on first gear. Why can’t authorities impose “alternate merge?” I suspect they do not know how themselves. Well, the price of gas should drive us to learn how to merge alternately. Puli-puli ug sud ba, dili mag-ilog ug magpaugat.
Recently, the City was heard saying that it will look for ways to economize on gas. I strongly suggest a mass transport system for the long-term and for the short term more designated stops and “alternate merge.” The last one really works like magic and saves not just gas but nerves.
