Elevated U-turn statistics

As discussions continue as to whether the construction of the Kalayaan/C-5 Elevated U-turn was worth the millions of taxpayers’ money and the year-long aggravation of traffic gridlocks in the area during its construction were all worth it, MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando came up with a litany of statistics in last week’s edition of the TV show Motoring Today.

Chairman BF was my guest on our portion Motoring Forum where discussions of significant issues vital to the general motoring public are held weekly with the Kalayaan / C-5 Elevated U-turn on spotlight that week.

He was adamant in saying that everything has improved since the completion of the “elevated u-turn” to the benefit of the motoring public.

Among others, he cited the increase of the number of vehicles traversing the area from 120,000 before to 172,365 as of May 21, 2009.

The average Network Travel Speed was vastly improved from 20.85 kph before to 42.47 or an increase in travel speed of 21.62 kilometers per hour.

Total Network Delay was tremendously reduced from 8 minutes 19 seconds to only 40 seconds.

From the point of view of Annual Cost Savings MMDA Chairman Fernando claims that close to P2.5 billion are being saved broken down to more than 2.3 B from Annual Travel Time Cost Savings and 67 M from Annual Vehicle Operating Costs Savings.

He also mentioned that the MMDA intends to replace “on grade” u-turns located in wide thoroughfares to similarly “elevated” ones counting among them those most criticized u-turns located in Quezon Avenue in Quezon City.

The strong-willed MMDA chairman feels the “elevated u-turn” is the better alternative to the more expensive and longer to complete overpass/underpass complex.

He also appealed to the general motoring public “to give these projects a chance to prove their worth” in putting to order the metro’s traffic problems.

So, the Kalayaan/C-5 Elevated U-turn presently works unless proven otherwise in the future.

Congratulations to the MMDA!

Tough terrain to prove a tough pick-up’s worth

It was in 2002 when Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) first ventured to demonstrate their vehicles’ worth by test drives in a very challenging site that offers the best mix of off-road surfaces – Mt. Pinatubo. The Isuzu Fuego pick-up was first on the list. It was followed by the newly-launched D-MAX in 2004 and in 2006 the D-MAX made an anchor together with the then newly-launched Isuzu Alterra 4x4.

So why choose Mt. Pinatubo to validate the toughness and dependability of Isuzu vehicles?

As IPC executives explain, “Isuzu favors Mt. Pinatubo for the variety of off-road surfaces that it features, including sand, mud, lahar, river crossings, rocks and even big boulders. The terrain also often changes depending on the fickle weather in the area. One minute you’re driving through a cloud of dust, the next you’re sliding mud. If a vehicle is to be considered an excellent 4x4 machine, it has to be able to convincingly pass the Mt. Pinatubo test.”

Isuzu Philippines president Keiji Takeda in his smiling friendly demeanor adds in an extra flavor, “Aside from its different off-road surfaces, Mt. Pinatubo is also a certified tourist attraction. We love to go there because there’s always something breathtaking to see even when you’re bouncing up and down on a rocky stretch. The place is ideal proof that the Philippines is such a beautiful country, and we want to keep sharing that not just with foreign tourists but more so with Filipinos who have not yet witnessed its magnificence.”

So for this year, last June 5 and 6, the vaunted assembler of the best diesel-powered vehicles in the market again brought a select group of motoring journalists to return to its favorite playground to subject to the harshest of tests the 2009 variants of the D-MAX – the 4x4 LS and the Boondock II – all stock and fresh out of Isuzu Philippines showrooms.

But before commencing with the array of stern tests to highlight the vehicles’ much touted reliability and durability a briefing of the vehicles’ usage was made by Joseph Bautista, IPC’s product development head to ensure their optimized use. This was together with another briefing conducted by Wendel Mercado, president of the Capas Pinatubo 4-Wheeler Club centering on world-famous volcano’s tricky outskirts’ terrain.

After a full day of test drives during the fellowship night held at the Hotel Vida in Clark where the journalists stayed for the night the rationale behind the preference for Mt. Pinatubo for such grueling test drives was further strengthen by IPC’s senior vice president Art Balmadrid when he mentioned in his speech, “No human creations can match such powers of Nature thus our forth visit to Pinatubo with our new D-MAX 4x4 variants is not a trek of conquest but a tribute to the unique off-road driving opportunities that the trail offers.”

During the same casual gathering, prizes were given away to members of the media who were able to answer some trivia questions about Isuzu and Mt. Pinatubo. The program, which was emceed in a most lively and alive manner by IPC public relations manager, Timmy de Leon and ably assisted by Ronald Baladad was capped with the awarding of “Certificates of Pinatubo Conquest” and similarly honored were “Mt. Pinatubo Devoted Outdoor Lovers” or those who have consistently joined in all the test drives held in the challenging terrain.

A visit to the nearest Isuzu Philippines Showroom would give you a better idea of what’s new in the 2009 D-MAX 4x4 LS and the Boondock II.

Solar Sports assures support

The currently very visible Solar Entertainment COO Peter Chanleung recently signed a renewal of media partnership for the 2009 Auto Focus Automobile of the Year – People’s Choice Awards slated to be launched next Thursday, June 25 at the Valle Verde Country Club. Similar support was also assured for the 2009 Auto Focus Motor Show & Auto Expo to be held once again at the Fort Bonifacio Global City grounds on November 5 to 8, 2009.

The public polls for the “People’s Choice Awards”, which commences on July 1 and will end on September 30 shall now include voting through The Philippine STAR by way of ballots on it motoring page every Wednesday and monthly on Top Gear and Speed magazines.

While the Auto Focus Motor Show at the Fort Bonifacio grounds has so far 11 manufacturers and distributors committed to display their current models to meet the last quarter historical automobile “shopping spree”.

Motoring Tip of the Week

Recent road accidents have shown that the seatbelt does not only give protection to those seated in front of the vehicle but passengers in the second row or even the third row as well.

During a collision the tendency is for objects and passengers to move (speed depending on the force of impact) toward the direction of the point of impact (usually through the windshield) due to inertia. And that’s precisely the use of the seatbelt – to keep passengers from being dangerously being thrown out of the vehicle. And this includes all passengers whether in front or at the back.

So, while traveling, buckle up wherever you are seated especially when your vehicle is traveling at high speeds.

Happy Motoring!!!

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