Search Results (7)

Efficient vehicle classification is essential in intelligent transportation systems, contributing to improved traffic management, road safety, and automated monitoring. However, existing approaches encounter difficulties in real-world scenarios involving overlapping vehicles, varying illumination, and complex backgrounds. We developed a vehicle classification system based on the Segmenting Objects by Locations Version 2 (SOLOv2) instance segmentation framework to achieve accurate identification of seven vehicle classes: sedan, sport utility vehicle, pick-up truck, van, bus, traditional Jeepney, and modern Jeepney. The system employs a Raspberry Pi 5 integrated with an Asus Rog Eye S High Definition Webcam and a 7-inch display, providing an embedded and cost-effective platform for on-site traffic monitoring. A dataset of 2100 annotated images was developed for training and evaluation. The model achieved a mean Intersection over Union of 0.947 and a mean average precision at the intersection of union thresholds from 0.50 to 0.95 of 0.547, with strong performance for bus (a 91.05% average precision (AP)) and modern Jeepney (a 75.03% AP). These results show the technical feasibility and real-world applicability of SOLOv2 for vehicle classification, establishing a robust foundation for integrating advanced computer vision techniques into intelligent transportation systems. Full article

The implementation of e-jeepneys stands as a change process that will eventually transition to the modernization of the public transport system in the Philippines. To address concerns about jeepneys’ effects on the environment, energy use, society, the economy, and policies, their acceptability in the Philippines must be considered. This research study aims to identify the sources of influence on Filipinos’ adoption of e-jeepney utilization as a mode of transportation using the extended Pro-Environmental Planned Behavior (PEBP) model. A total of 502 commuters voluntarily answered the survey questionnaire. Based on the findings, perceived environmental concern (PEC) is the most significant determinant influencing attitude (AT) and, thus, affecting the Filipinos’ behavioral intention (BI) towards the adoption of e-jeepneys. Conversely, AT was the primary determinant of BI, which strongly supported the notion of AT as a strong driving force shaping behavioral decisions. Moreover, perceived authority support (PAS) emerged as a strong predictor of subjective norms (SNs), demonstrating the influence of institutional support on societal perceptions. As a result, more environmentally conscious people are more likely to view e-jeepneys positively and intend to use them as a mode of transportation. The endorsement or support from authoritative figures or institutions notably influences subjective norms, which are individuals’ perceptions of social pressures regarding the use of e-jeepneys. Full article

Modern jeepneys represent a notable step forward in the Philippines’ modernization efforts. However, there is a need for further study since this has caused a lot of criticism in the country, and no studies have established its service quality and the behavioral intentions among passengers. This study assessed the factors influencing passengers’ intention to use modern jeepneys, employing a higher-order reflective construct using partial least square structural equation modeling. An online questionnaire gathered data from 502 commuters using modern jeepneys, employing convenience sampling for a diverse sample. Significant relationships (p-value < 0.05) were found between service quality (β: 0.559), attitude (β: 0.169), perceived behavioral control (β: 0.183), and behavioral intentions (β: 0.160), with assurance emerging as the most influential factor for higher-ordered constructs (β: 0.869). Meanwhile, satisfaction’s significant influence on behavioral intention was highest for lower-ordered constructs (β: 0.673). The study underscored the importance of building trust with passengers, prioritizing safety and security, and integrating modern jeepneys with traditional designs to enhance commuter experiences and promote modernized and sustainable transportation alternatives. It highlights the critical role of providing high-quality service in fostering positive intentions toward using modern jeepneys and its utilization. Despite the backlash of the majority on the redevelopment of traditional jeepneys, results presented that passengers are more inclined to use public transportation based on travel experiences rather than societal approval. The study offers theoretical and practical implications for future works and government organizations, transportation management, and modern jeepney manufacturers, emphasizing the importance of improving service quality. Full article

Jeepneys are the most accessible and affordable public transportation in urban areas of the Philippines. The goal of this research was to explore passenger satisfaction with the overall service quality of a jeepney. A total of 600 jeepney passengers voluntarily answered an online questionnaire consisting of 59 questions. Different factors such as Passenger Expectation, Cleanliness and Comfort, Ambiance, Safety, Driver Behavior, Service Adequacy, Route Efficiency, Information Materials, Value for Money, Passenger Satisfaction, and Future Intentions were examined simultaneously by utilizing the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. SEM indicated that safety was found to have the highest effect on passenger satisfaction, followed by the driver’s behavior, value for money, service adequacy, and information materials. This is the first complete study that explores passenger satisfaction with the overall service quality of jeepneys. The findings of this study can be utilized by the government and jeepney operators to enhance the overall service quality by focusing on safety and the behavior of drivers. This would result in increased passenger satisfaction and, consequently, a positive intention on using the mode of transportation. Full article

Sustainable development goal (SDG) 3 promotes well-being and healthy lives for people of all ages. However, based on the literature, one of the main challenges to achieving SDG 3 is inequality in access to health care. In order to support the efforts of the local government of the province to contribute to the achievement of SDG thru equitable access to health care, this study measured the spatial accessibility of healthcare facilities in Marinduque, Philippines. It used distance-based (i.e., travel-time) and area-based (i.e., enhanced two-step floating catchment analysis or E2SFCA) metrics. The distance from each healthcare facility to different villages in the province was established using QGIS and Google Maps. The distance traveled was measured using three (3) modes of transportation: tricycle, jeepney, and private vehicle. The E2SFCA scores were calculated for different population groups: the general population, women, children, and the elderly. Based on the results, island villages and those areas in the inner portion of the province lack physical access to healthcare facilities. Such a limitation was apparent in the distance- and area-based accessibility metrics. Among the population group considered in this study, the women population showed the lowest accessibility scores. Full article

Poor air quality has been identified as one of the main risks to human health, especially in developing regions, where the information on physical chemical properties of air pollutants is lacking. To bridge this gap, we conducted an intensive measurement campaign in Manila, Philippines to determine the emission factors (EFs) of particle number (PN) and equivalent black carbon (BC). The focus was on public utility jeepneys (PUJ), equipped with old technology diesel engines, widely used for public transportation. The EFs were determined by aerosol physical measurements, fleet information, and modeled dilution using the Operational Street Pollution Model (OSPM). The results show that average vehicle EFs of PN and BC in Manila is up to two orders of magnitude higher than European emission standards. Furthermore, a PUJ emits up to seven times more than a light-duty vehicles (LDVs) and contribute to more than 60% of BC emission in Manila. Unfortunately, traffic restrictions for heavy-duty vehicles do not apply to PUJs. The results presented in this work provide a framework to help support targeted traffic interventions to improve urban air quality not only in Manila, but also in other countries with a similar fleet composed of old-technology vehicles. Full article

The Philippines is moving towards a more sustainable public transport system by introducing a public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program with electric jeepneys (e-jeepneys) and modernized diesel jeepneys. Despite its potential to address problems related to air pollution, traffic congestion, dependence on fuel imports, and carbon emissions, transport groups show resistance to the adoption of the government program due to costs and investment risk issues. This study aims to guide transport operators in making investment decisions between the modernized diesel jeepney and the e-jeepney fleet. Applying the real options approach (ROA), this research evaluates option values and optimal investment strategies under uncertainties in diesel prices, jeepney base fare price, electricity prices, and government subsidy. The optimization results reveal a better opportunity to invest in the e-jeepney fleet in all scenarios analyzed. Results also show a more optimal decision strategy to invest in the e-jeepney immediately in the current business environment, as delaying or postponing investment may incur opportunity losses. To make the adoption of the e-jeepney more attractive to transport operators, this study further suggests government actions to increase the amount of subsidy and base fares, establish public charging stations, and continue efforts to rely on cleaner, cheaper, and renewable sources of electricity. Full article