The Proceedings of The Jordanian Conferenceon Traffic and Environment, University of Jordan,1997

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Research Title: 
Traffic System Management: An Appropriate Approachto Solve Traffic Problemsin Medium-Sized Urban Areas
Authors: 
Hamouda, M.
Authors: 
A.M.S Hamouda
Country: 
Jordan
Date: 
Wed, 1997-01-01
Research Abstract: 
The paper examines the potentials and appropriateness of traffic system management techniques as efficient means to remedy the deteriorating performance of transportation facilities and services in medium-sized urban areas, especially in developing countries. In many of these urban areas, traffic congestion increases due to rapid growth and widespreading urbanization, as well as mounting vehicle ownership rates. In most of cases, there might be an urgent need to plan and implement proper actions and measures, which can be quickly applied and where tangible effects can be achieved within a short period. At the same time, these means should make use of existing facilities most efficiently, away from constructing more new roadway capacities, and therefore, they should be of relatively low-cost nature. Traffic system management techniques consider the transportation system as a whole in a comprehensive and integrated manner, where all modes of transportation should be considered and where the interactions between traffic components should be studied and analyzed. The paper identifies the framework of a traffic system management procedure especially oriented to be applied in medium-sized urban areas in developing countries. The paper presents the application of the procedure to a case study of Ramallah/Al-Bireh urban area in Palestine. Current traffic conditions in the area are analyzed, where total collapse in the traffic system has resulted due to Israeli policies for about 30 years of occupation. The paper presents components of an action plan and a number of improvement recommendations, based on the examination of a wide-range of traffic system management options, such as traffic circulation changes, intersection improvements and signalization, adopting one-way system, establishing auto-free zones, parking regulation and control, public transportation improvements and institutional improvements. The procedure highlights the role of community participation in the evaluation of the suggested options.