Transportation Engineering
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- ItemSTRATEGIC PLANNING FOR SMART MOBILITY FOR NEW CITIES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: A CASE STUDY FROM PALESTINE(An-Najah National University, 2024-03-03) Sawafta, RayaBackground: As developing countries undergo rapid urbanization, the establishment of new cities presents a unique opportunity to integrate innovative smart mobility solutions that can address emerging challenges and create sustainable urban environments. This thesis proposes a comprehensive strategic planning framework for achieving smart mobility systems in new cities within developing countries, considering Palestine as the case study. Aims: The objectives of the thesis is to leverage technology and data-driven approaches to enhance transportation efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and improve overall quality of life. Objectives include developing a strategic planning framework that encompasses various dimensions, including infrastructure development, policy formulation, technological integration, and community engagement. Another key objective of the thesis, utilizing successful case studies from both developed and developing regions, is outlining key considerations for designing and implementing smart mobility initiatives tailored to the specific needs and contexts of new cities in developing countries. Methodology: In order to propose the strategic planning framework for smart mobility for new cities in Palestine, a comprehensive literature review was first conducted, including examining regional and international experiences in the field. This culminated in defining the concept, requirements and components of smart mobility, as well as in comparing how transforming of existing communities towards having smart transportation with planning new cities smart transportation, whether in developed countries or developing countries. The second phase involved the identification of the key factors to be include in the strategic planning process towards smart mobility, using cross impact balance (CIB) method through the analysis phase. This phase concluded with the issuance of recommendations and results, serving as guidelines for local authorities and relevant entities in each study area. Additionally, a general strategic planning framework for smart mobility for new cities was provided. Main results: The thesis provides strategic planning for smart mobility for new cities in Palestine that can guide decision-makers, urban planners, and stakeholders in Palestine as they embark on the creation of new smart cities. The thesis presents the approach and outcome of the application of the CIB method, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of the interconnected factors and their potential impacts on the strategic planning process. This includes identifying the goals and objectives, as well as the broad strategies, to achieve the vision of establishing a new city that could be characterized to have smart and integrated mobility system. The main goals include enhancing transportation infrastructure, supporting economic growth, integrating sustainable mobility, implementing smart security infrastructure, and fostering good governance. Conclusions of the study: The strategic planning for smart mobility in new cities in Palestine focuses on the main sectors such as transportation and mobility, social, economy, security, governance, technology, and the citizens. The research emphasizes the use of tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), simulation software, big data analytics, urban planning software, Intelligent Traffic Management Systems, and internet of things (IoT) Sensors. It also highlights the importance of citizen engagement and digital literacy, as well as the need for a regulatory framework and collaboration with local and international entities to achieve successful smart mobility strategies.
- ItemSUSTAINABLE URBAN MOBILITY - TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT (TOD) PERSPECTIVE: A PILOT PLANNING APPROACH FOR PALESTINIAN CITIES(An-Najah National University, 2024-03-03) Mashaqi, ShifaaBackground: Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) has emerged as a new approach in urban development in recent decades. TOD is characterized by a relatively high-density urban design with proper transit services featuring diverse land uses, complemented by a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly urban environment. Gaining knowledge and learning about good practices related to integrated urban development through urban mobility can be beneficial to reflect on concepts, plans, and policies in order to build livable and resilient Palestinian cities. Aims: The primary objective of the study was to assess the extent to which sustainable mobility is acknowledged in local urban plans within Palestinian case studies. The study aimed to identify sustainable mobility and integrated development strategies applicable at the local level as related to TOD. Consequently, the study provides recommended TOD policies and strategies. Methodology: A sequential research methodology was followed to study TOD as a sustainable mobility approach in Palestine. The process began with conducting literature review and examining regional and international experiences in the field. This culminated in extracting TOD principles and measurement indicators. The second phase involved the selection of the study area by choosing two exemplary cases that reflect the urban development reality in Palestine. Subsequently, data necessary for analyzing the current situation were collected from reliable sources and processed to conduct analysis for each study area. Upon accomplishing this phase, results were presented, including development of a general strategic framework to establish TOD as a planning approach in existing and emerging Palestinian cities. This was followed by conclusions and recommendations, serving as guidelines for authorities and relevant entities. Main results: The results show Rawabi City satisfies a majority of the objectives of best practice in transit-oriented urban development where it has achieved a score of 59%, categorizing it as bronze-standard according to the TOD standards. Therefore, there is a potential to enhance the TOD system at the local level by making some amendments to the city’s policies and strategies, which in turn are reflected in its urban master plan. On the other hand, Al-Raihan Suburb cannot be considered to be satisfying the acceptable TOD standard scale, as it has achieved a score of 41%. Therefore, there is a gap between its planning concept and TOD principles, requiring re-consideration of planning aspects, according to the recommended guidelines, in order to align with TOD principles. The thesis results therefore include presenting a proposed strategic planning framework for planning new urban developments, or the transformation of existing ones, to be consistent with TOD principles including the vision, goals and objectives, and the strategies. Conclusions of the study: TOD incorporates diverse components to foster the creation of sustainable, dynamic, and efficient urban structure centered around public transportation and the reduction of reliance on motorized cars. However, the essential elements of TOD encompass close proximity to transit stations, mixed-use development, high density and compact design, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and affordable housing. Furthermore, TOD is in harmony with smart growth principles, emphasizing sustainable development, minimizing environmental impact, and encouraging efficient land utilization. The recommendations include encouraging the development of compact, mixed-use urban form, with emphasis on the planning and operation of public transportation systems with proper transit stations, and prioritizing such systems during the planning of urban communities to fulfill the fundamental principles of TOD.
- ItemRENEGING BEHAVIOR ON DRIVE-THRU QUEUES: A CASE STUDY-BASED APPLIED MATHEMATICAL INVESTIGATION(2023-03-02) Ayman Wasef Mohammad DbeisDrive-thru service was never exclusive for fast food restaurants only, but it is still more common for them. During the COVID-19 pandemic, drive-thru services extended to the health sector as well, to maintain the physical distancing. Palestine barely includes fully-active integrated drive-thru services; however, an expansion for full infrastructure drive-thru services is expected in the near future. Whenever there is a need to obtain the service by queuing and waiting, queued customers show prominently their desire to be served as fast as possible. Impatient customers’ behaviors appear clearly in two main acts: reneging and balking. Reneging, as the main scope of this study, is one of ignored behaviors in queuing analysis, which makes analyzing and managing queues not reflecting the reality of queuing. This is due to the limited knowledge about such an event and factors leading to its occurrence. This research aims to reach a deeper understanding of the queuing theory and the queue’s characteristics, to make it more reflective and interpretive to real life queuing problems. This is done by analyzing the behavior of impatient reneging customers, and identifying how their decision is affected by the queue’s characteristics. Through non-participant observations, the required data were manually collected using surveillance camera recordings for Rio Café’s drive-thru service in Al-Bireh City. Given the purpose of this study, the data were mathematically analyzed to determine the probability distribution functions of the reneging behavior and the factors affecting waiting customers’ decision. In addition, linear and non-linear regression models were developed to predict the reneging rate and the relative frequency of reneging customers. The study showed that the exponential distribution is the probability distribution function of the time intervals between successive reneging events of at least one reneging customer per time interval. However, the reneging rate does not follow the Poisson distribution. It was concluded that the long waiting time is not the only factor causing impatient customers to renege on the queue, but other important factors affect this behavior. These factors are integrated and jointly distributed, leading to the customer's decision to leave the queue. Keywords: Reneging Behavior, Impatient Customers, Retention, Queuing Theory, Joint Probability Distribution, Spatial-Dynamic Modelling.
- ItemTRAFFIC SAFETY AT INTERSECTIONS: THE CASE OF TULKAREM, PALESTINE(2022-10-30) Mohammad Wael Abed Al-Fatah TeebiBackground: Research on traffic safety at intersections in Palestine urban areas is dearth. Data on traffic crashes between July 2016- 2021 for Tulkarem Governorate were obtained from the Traffic Police Department. Additional data were collected from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) and the Ministry of Transportation. Aim: The aim of this research was to draw a comprehensive profile of road crashes at intersections in Tulkarem Governorate areas. Methodology: Two different approaches were used to identify the governorate's most critical sites: severity of injuries at intersections and crash rate per traffic volume. Analyses were performed on three levels: Tulkarem Governorate, Tulkarem city, and COVID-19 pandemic; examining trends, severity levels; and accident-causing factors, and spatial distribution. Results: Results revealed that Tulkarem city and the city’s Zone 6 were the most critical locations. Results also indicated that Thursday had the highest intersection crashes at all levels. The highest number of crashes at the governorate level occurred between 10:00-16:00, while for Tulkarem city the highest occurred between 12:00-20:00. During the pandemic, the highest were reported between 10:00-14:00. The spring season recorded the highest frequency at all levels, followed by summer, autumn, and winter. The percentage of males injured was higher than that of females at all levels. "Not giving right of way" was the highest cause in all intersection crashes in the governorate, while the ‘'over speeding" was the highest cause in the city. The number of crashes involving pedestrian injury was 15.88% of the total number of intersection crashes at the governorate level. Most injuries were for the 11-30 age group in the governorate and the city. Conclusions: The majority of crashes were caused by users’ behavior; therefore, it is strongly advised that nationwide awareness campaigns on traffic laws be launched targeting all road users (drivers, passengers, and pedestrians). The behavior of drivers and other road users should, therefore, be thoroughly studied. Another important and urgent need is the creation of a national traffic safety program. Keywords: Intersection safety; COVID-19; Tulkarem; crashes; pedestrians; Palestine.
- ItemSTUDY OF MOTORCYCLE SAFETY IN NABLUS CITY(2023-04-25) Mohammed Kamel Jalal Abdul HadiMotorcycle safety needs to be studied in the light of the increasing use of this mode in Palestine. Nablus Governorate witnessed high increase in the rate of licensed motorcycles during 2015-2021, and, therefore, it was selected to study motorcycle safety. The aim of this research is to highlight the motorcycle crashes characteristics, generate crash profile for Nablus City, and study the behavior of motorcyclists. This leads to propose countermeasures to improve motorcycle safety. Motorcycle crash data were obtained from Nablus Traffic Police Department covering the period from January 2019 to November 2021 for the city of Nablus. Additional data were collected from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. Motorcycle crash profile is generated. Spatial analysis is conducted to generate motorcycle crash maps to identify the hazardous zones. Using footage from installed cameras at a representative intersection, the behavior of motorcyclists at the intersection is observed. Analysis-of-Variance Test is then used to determine if there are any significant differences between several aspects related to motorcyclists’ behaviors. The outcome of the research illustrates that May and September, Saturday, and the hour 15:00-16:00 were the most frequent and temporal during that period of time. The most frequent reason of motorcycle crashes was unsecured changing lanes. The most frequent motorcycle crashes zone is Al-Qirawan in Rafedia. Analysis of the behavior at a key intersection there shows that 70% of motorcyclists committed at least one behavioral violation. The study showed that the percentages of those with legal behavior and wearing helmets were only 12.7% and 5.1% of total, for the delivery and private use motorcyclists, respectively. Based on the analysis, there is lack of respect of traffic regulations by motorcyclists, and there is no effective enforcement to deter violators. More efforts need to be exerted by traffic police for strict enforcement of traffic regulations and motorcyclists’ violations. Proper education and awareness for the motorcyclists are needed. Keywords: Motorcycle crashes; crash profile; crash spatial analysis; motorcyclists’ behavior; Nablus; Palestine.