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

Abstract

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.