By Cyrus A. Natividad

Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers-Panay Chapter President and Chairman of CPU Mechanical Engineering Department Engr. Jeriel Militar was interviewed by Bombo Radyo regarding PSME’s position paper on the motorcycle barrier submitted to the National Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers-Panay Chapter President and Chairman of CPU Mechanical Engineering Department, Engr. Jeriel Militar was interviewed by Bombo Radyo at 8:00PM, August 2, 2020 regarding their PSME position paper submitted to the National Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF). The Motorcycle Barrier was required by the IATF effective July 26, 2020 for all motorcycle riders in-tandem.

Their position paper according to Engr. Militar was in connection with the implementation of the Joint Task Force COVID requirement as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 between riders.

Militar explained that “Our position is based on the science of engineering of how air interacts with moving bodies; in the engineering community. We call it fluid dynamics or aerodynamics. Their position is based on their thorough analysis. According to Militar, their observation is that the barrier may contribute negatively to safety, health, economy, and environment.”

Pertaining to Safety, Militar explained that with the barrier attached either to the motorcycle, or to the rider, or being held by the backrider, the safety of the motorcycle and the riders, in general, are compromised. When the motorcycle is in motion, the barrier will contribute to the change of design which will compromise the stability of the motorcycle and will place the safety of the riders at risk.

On the other hand, he said that “Health, as stated in our position paper, is so important. With the barrier attached to the motorcycle in motion, the front side of the barrier builds pressure while creating turbulence and suction behind the barrier. This will not guarantee that the barrier will be effective in protecting both riders from the spread of air particles to each other.”

Thirdly, he said that “considering the Economy and environment, the attached barrier increases the air resistance of the motorcycle when in motion. This directly affects the economy of the motorcycle resulting to increase in fuel consumption which contributes to the increase in emission and air pollutants which ultimately affects the environment.”

Militar added that “in essence, the PSME believes that the Barrier cannot serve as a health and safety measure to protect the riders from COVID19. Instead, it may compromise the safety, health, economy, and the environment”.