Transport Structure

1.What kind of research are you proposing? (experimental, computational or both)

Introduce the project in three lines, and why is the project important

The proposed research is computational because it is mostly designed by utilizing computer programs and transportation engineering standards that will determine the solutions to the current problem. The research is prominently computational as it involves mathematical research by using computing and is not experimental as the project would not be verified in a lab after the executions of the updates.

The main purpose of this research is to study the upgradation of the transportation system present the redesign of roads and intersections in the city of Jeddah and provide its studied transportation solutions. The project is important to study the impacts of upgrading the city’s transportation system. The design will also impact Jeddah’s economy as it facilitates the transfer of goods and offers enhanced road safety. The proposed design will also decrease the traffic in roads and will provide less travel time.

2-How are you going to collect the data?

Much of the information is acquired from Government and engineering organizations since these sources acquire such data for research purposes. The main data to be considered are:

• Amount of vehicles: this data is required to identify the number of vehicles passing on a highway so the available number of lanes must be properly billeted with the number of vehicles on highway in peak times.

• Level of service of the main highways: the data about this aspect will help the engineers in identifying the highways that needs upgradation on priority basis, also helps on deciding about which highway would be most effective to design, and finally it assist in raising the level of service for an even and smoother transportation.

• Road plans: this data will indicate the width of the roads and intersections leading to the required destination.

• Traffic light cycle: this information helps in comprehending the conduct of the drivers and will certainly require modification after the addition of the left turn lane on the intersection. The traffic cycle also needs to be modified as the loop detectors will be introduced which will facilitate the movement of the traffic, and ultimately bring a reduction in the length of the queue.

• Amount of accidents: this is most significant aspect as it will benefit in regulating the speed limits in the roadway and determine the need of an increase in the lane width.

• Vehicle configurations: this info indicate various vehicles on the road way where some vehicles require a broader radius of turning as compared to the others. Thus, the data regarding the configuration of the vehicles will aid in determining the lane with and to decide whether the roadway requires an expansion or not.

• Lane distribution: as a left turn lane is to be added, the info about lane distribution and road way’s situation will help the engineers to decide whether to design an extra lane or two depending on the circumstances.

• Speed restrictions: this info benefits the engineer in generating the traffic cycle. This data shows that a roadway having greater speed limit varies from a roadway having lower speed limit.

• Trip generation: this process will show the engineer to configure the distribution of the traffic in accordance with their destination and indicate how effective is it to select a highway as compared to another. The highway with extended and high jammed trips is comparatively more effective than other highways.

• The queue length and the accessible distance: this data will support the engineers to identify the required length for a left turn lane.

3. What tools are you going to use to collect the data?

Most of the data are already measured by the government and the tools used are the cameras and tube counters.

4. How are you going to analyze the obtained data?

The analysis is divided in two phases one is before the execution of the upgrade and the other after the upgradation. Initially the investigation is made to identify the peak hours in which roads are used the most. The identification of the busiest roads can help in deciding on the most viable and justifiable portion of the city which requires an upgrade. In the second phase of the analysis calculations are made about the level of service, the length of the queue, and the queue delays in the peak time before preparing the design. Afterwards, the causes of the shortcoming in level of service and their potential solution are inquired. Finally, the process of simulation takes place to ensure the selected approach’s effectiveness and at this stage it is assessed whether any modifications are required.