Volume-09 Issue 05, May-2025 ISSN: 2456-9348 Impact Factor: 8.232 International Journal of Engineering Technology Research & Management Published By: https://www.ijetrm.com/ IJETRM (http://ijetrm.com/) [392] TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF LITERATURE Ryan James R. Tuco Orcid Id - https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8773-8451 Student, College of Development and Management, University of Southeastern Philippines Aristeo C. Salapa Orcid Id - https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0934-3571 Professor, College of Development and Management, University of Southeastern Philippines, ABSTRACT This systematic review evaluates literature on urban traffic management systems with a focus on mid-sized cities, contextualized by the case of Digos City, Philippines. Using the PRISMA framework, 15 studies published between 2015 and 2025 were selected from an initial pool of 412 records. Key themes identified include ordinance effectiveness, enforcement capacity, public engagement, infrastructure quality, and technological integration. Findings highlight the need for updated policies, stronger institutional coordination, and smart mobility solutions. The review offers evidence-based policy recommendations for improved traffic outcomes in similar urban contexts. Keywords: Traffic management, urban mobility, policy reform, urban mobility, Digos City INTRODUCTION Urban traffic congestion continues to be a pressing issue for many developing cities, disrupting economic productivity, straining environmental sustainability, and diminishing overall quality of life. Digos City —a growing mid-sized urban area in Davao del Sur, Philippines—is no exception. The city faces recurring traffic problems due to outdated ordinances, weak enforcement, and insufficient infrastructure. While measures such as the installation of traffic lights and the passage of Ordinance No. 18-10 (Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Code of Digos City) have been implemented, these efforts have had limited success. Policy gaps, vague regulations, and enforcement challenges have hindered the effectiveness of the city’s traffic management system. Globally, urban traffic management has advanced into a multidisciplinary field involving policy reform, infrastructure development, enforcement systems, and the integration of smart technologies. Cities like Singapore and Tokyo have demonstrated how intelligent transport systems (ITS), supported by real-time data and automation, can significantly ease congestion and enhance mobility (Kumar, 2024; Elassy et al., 2024). In contrast, many Philippine cities—including Metro Manila and Davao City—continue to struggle with worsening congestion due to rapid urbanization, increased vehicle ownership, and limited enforcement capabilities (Flores, 2025; Statista, 2024). National efforts such as the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) offer partial solutions but suffer from inconsistent implementation and lack of local adaptation. In Digos City, traffic congestion is further exacerbated by outdated traffic codes and the absence of modern enforcement and monitoring tools. As commercial activity and vehicle numbers rise, key intersections and road corridors frequently become choke points (Metz, 2018). Despite growing academic interest in traffic governance, much of the research is centered on large metropolitan areas, leaving mid-sized cities underrepresented in both scholarship and policy innovation. These cities often operate under different administrative, financial, and spatial constraints that require tailored approaches. This study addresses that research gap by systematically reviewing the literature on urban traffic management in mid-sized cities, with Digos City as a contextual reference. By examining studies published between 2015 and 2025, the review seeks to identify prevailing strategies, recurring challenges, and promising interventions in traffic governance. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)