title: Understanding car dependence and traffic congestion in Metro Manila: a multi-level analysis of social, demographic, and economic factors and their influence on transport-related policy
Creators: name: Bonifacio, Armel Andre D.
Publisher: name: University of Reading
Year: 2023

description: Metro Manila is a highly urbanised car-centric metropolitan region in the Philippines, which is 
consistently ranked as one of the most congested in the world. There is growing concern that 
the current traffic congestion will have a severe negative impact on the quality of life and 
economic development of the region. Car dependency has been established as one of the main 
contributors to traffic congestion. The present study aims to explore the potential underlying 
factors that contributed to car dependence in Metro Manila by developing a conceptual model 
that can aid in examining key components of the transport system such as policies and 
infrastructure, as well as the demographics, behaviour, and perception of automobile users. 
After developing a review of various models of transport research, the Multi-Level Perspective 
on sustainability transitions (MLP) was selected and used as a framework for characterizing and 
analysing the local transport system and identify factors that may contribute to car dependence. 
A mixed-methods research approach involving semi-structured interviews, online car user 
surveys, and review of grey literature, combined with a preliminary transport-related policy 
review, was used to gather relevant data, viewed through the MLP framework. A comprehensive 
review of transport related policies, particularly at the city and national levels, has been 
undertaken. This enabled an overview of the policy landscape that governs and influences 
Metro Manila’s transport system. The key informant interviews were designed to gain an 
understanding of the current issues from the perspectives of several experts that are directly 
related to transport. The online survey was designed to collect quantitative data on the 
respondents’ average travel metrics (e.g. daily commute distance, duration, destinations) and 
perceptions of car use and ownership. The results revealed that social, demographic, and 
economic factors play a key role in both government transport policies and user preference. 
Focusing on economic growth targets was also shown to perpetuate car dependence through 
the government’s continued investment in the automobile industry and road-based urban 
infrastructure. Similarly, the choice to own and use cars was demonstrated to also be a 
predominantly economic decision by the users, in service of their employment or livelihood. It 
was also determined that convenience, safety, and travel time factors were crucial in the 
decision to use cars, as well as in considering shifting to alternative transport modes. This study 
developed a conceptual model that illustrate the relationships within and between the various 
components of Metro Manila’s transport socio-technical system that aims to provide a holistic 
understanding of the current local transport context. Through this approach, the research 
offered practical insights and recommendations for sustainable transport policies and initiatives, 
demonstrating the utility of the MLP framework for evaluating policies in diverse socio-technical 
systems. The literature review phase of study began in the latter half 2018 and 2019, while the
research design was developed during 2020. The data gathering, and analysis phase was 
accomplished in 2021.