Fuel consumption and exhaust emissions are directly related
to traffic movement and vehicle speed and acceleration/deceleration. Vehicular
traffic in the Palestinian areas consumes approximately 60 percent of the total
fuel consumption. Therefore, the continuous growth in the number of vehicles in
general and passenger cars in particular will increase fuel consumption and
emissions in the area. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the impact
of traffic signals and their improvements on traffic movement and delay and to
link traffic measures of effectiveness (MOE) with fuel consumption and air
pollution in Nablus City downtown area. CORSIM simulation model was used as a
tool to estimate traffic and environmental MOE. Studies showed that traffic
signal improvements in urban areas could lead to a reduction in fuel
consumption and exhaust emissions in percentages ranging from 25 to 65 percent.
In this study, traffic signals were improved at study intersections and
corridors in downtown Nablus City using optimum cycle length, signal timing,
and progression. These improvements resulted in reducing average delays by 3 to
57 percent, fuel consumption by 2 to 25 percent, and carbon oxides air
pollution by 2 to 10 percent. The study recommends improving traffic
circulation and reducing fuel consumption and emissions using traffic signal improvement
plans at the network level in downtown Nablus City. The implementation of
traffic systems management, which includes low cost and quick to implement
plans, is also recommended to improve traffic and environmental conditions in
Palestinian cities.
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