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Two major characteristics that can impact the frequency and severity of traffic crashes are average speed and speed variance. This paper investigated these characteristics on 49 multilane highway segments in Jordan and developed prediction models for three different conditions: free (no enforcement), camera, and police enforcement. Speed data were collected during off-peak periods with fair weather conditions. Multiple linear regressions and nonlinear regressions were used to develop speed variance and average speed models. For the free condition, speed variance mainly depends on the difference between design speed and speed limit (DS-SL), with the speed variance decreasing as the difference reduces, while the average speed was positively correlated with the design speed. Camera enforcement causes speed variance and average speed to be positively correlated and linearly dependent with the speed limit. A quadratic relationship was found between speed variance during police enforcement and DS-SL, while the average speed during police enforcement depended on the speed limit and design speed. These modeling results, along with analysis of the collected data, can help operating agencies and roadway designers determine how various enforcement strategies affect average speed and speed variance and better set speed limits on existing and future roadways to improve safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate red-light violations and their influencing factors at traffic signals in four major cities in Jordan. Field data was collected from 30 traffic signals in Amman, Zarqa, Jerash and Irbid cities. The intersection type, leg grade and speed of the subject's approach data was collected through field surveys and measurements, while the red-light violation data was collected from the recorded videos. The study analysis showed that among 3,444 drivers who had the chance to violate a red light, 436 (12.66%) drivers ran a red light. Pickup drivers had the highest violation rate among all drivers, with a rate of 21.4%, while heavy-vehicle drivers showed the lowest percentage of violation, at 11.18% for buses and 8.24% for trucks. The analysis showed that four-leg intersections had a higher violation rate than three-leg intersections. Also, drivers tended to show more violations on upgrade intersection approaches, with almost the same violation behavior on level and downgrade intersection approaches. According to traffic movement type, the analysis results showed that through-moving vehicles had the highest violation rate among all movement types, followed by left-turners, while the lowest violation rate was observed among U-turn movements. Referring to the location of the intersection, the violation rate was 13.48% in urban areas and 11.37% in sub-urban areas. The results showed that drivers tend to violate red lights more during fall than in spring. It was found that about 21% of drivers who arrived at the intersection at the beginning of red time violated the red light, while only 3.53% violated the red light during the rest of the red time interval. In addition, the percentage of red-light violations was directly proportional to the subject approach speed and total traffic volume entering the intersection and was inversely proportional to the conflicting traffic volumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated the speed variance on multilane highways, explored the main associated factors, and developed prediction models to help agencies better set speed limits to reduce speed variance and their associated crashes. Speeds of vehicles were measured for twenty-five multilane highways in Jordan. Data were collected during off-peak hours on sunny days with dry pavement conditions. Results indicated the difference between the design speed and speed limit (DS-SL) is the primary factor that affects speed variance. The minimum speed variance occurs when the DS-SL is 10 km/hr. Speed limits more than 10 km/hr below the design speed increase the speed variance, as road conditions (represented by design speed) tend to control vehicle's speeds rather than speed limits in these cases. Additionally, having more highway lanes decreases speed variance, as does having roadside barriers. This paper provides beneficial information to authorities and policymakers who set speed limits on multilane highways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to validate the trip travel time provided by three selected navigation applications, through examining the error in the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) provided. The ETA was compared with the actual travel time measured from 204 selected urban and rural road segments in Jordan. The overall trip travel time accuracy was 70%, 57% and 52% for the Google Maps, Here-WeGo and Waze applications, respectively. Analysis results showed that the three applications' ETA measures vary from the actual trip time with different error levels ranging from minor errors of less than 10% to significant errors of more than 40%. It was found that Google Maps has the most distinguished accuracy, yet the provided information by Google Maps contains a certain amount of error in the ETA. Also, ANOVA test showed that there was no statistically significant differences between Google Maps and Waze-ETA mean errors, while Here-ETA mean error significantly differs from those of both applications. The significant contribution of this research is the detailed evaluation process of the estimated journey times using field data collected by trained drivers instead of crowdsourcing data. The usage of such applications will attract the attention of individuals, organizations and agencies in different related sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile government services have changed how people and businesses can benefit from government public services at any time and from anyplace. The success of these services is becoming more dependent on satisfying the needs and the expectations of both citizens and business organizations. The current study aims to propose a new integrated conceptual model for examining some important key factors that may affect m-Government acceptance in Jordan from user perspective. It also aims to explore the effect of the following factors: trust in mobile technology, trust in government, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, compatibility, service quality and user satisfaction on the behavioral intention to use mobile government applications. A survey method was applied through self-administrated questionnaire that were distributed randomly to 500 citizens who have used mobile government services. Empirical tests were conducted to analyze the collected primary data. Results showed that Jordanian citizens intention to use m-Government services increases if they have high level of positive trust toward Internet and the technologies used to access m- Government services. Perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness were the original constructs in Technology Acceptance Model. Failures to reveal the advantages of m-Government services to potential users will most likely result in low rate of satisfaction. Thus, both perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness were found to have a significant effect on citizen satisfaction. Results indicated the appropriateness of the fundamental elements of Technology Acceptance Model in the Jordanian m-Government context. The higher levels of satisfaction lead to more usage and acceptance of modern mobile service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interchanges are constructed in urban and suburban areas to ease traffic operation. Outer connection ramps constitute a major part of interchanges planning and design. The objective of this study was to estimate interchange ramp capacity and investigate the impacts of ramp geometry on the obtained capacity. To achieve this objective, 20 ramps were selected, including 10 circular ramps and 10 curve-straight-curve ramps. Capacity of ramp proper and ramp exit were investigated in the study. At ramp proper, data on traffic speed and traffic flow were collected at 1 -minute intervals using video camera. Also, traffic data for ramp exit and mainline traffic were obtained under queued traffic condition on the ramp exit. An empirical approach using regression analysis was adopted to estimate capacity of the selected ramps and explore the impact of geometric design and traffic variables that might affect the estimated capacity. For ramp proper, the analyses revealed that the relationship between traffic speed and density is linear and between speed and traffic flow is parabolic irrespective of ramp configuration. For circular ramps, the capacity was found to vary from 1470 to about 2100 pc/hr./lane, and it was found that ramp radius is the most influencing factor in capacity estimation. For curve-straight-curve ramps, the results indicated that the obtained capacity varied from 1490 to 2200 pc/hr./lane, and both the straight segment length and the radius of the first curve are the most influencing factors. Also, it was found that ramp exit capacity is affected by flow and speed of traffic in the mainline street and degree of curvature of ramp exit curve. Finally, it was concluded that the use of curves with large radii at ramp proper and exit would increase ramp capacity, and customization of capacity values to reflect local conditions would provide more realistic estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this research was to develop models to estimate the capacity at parking lot entrances and exits (gates) for different land uses (universities, hospitals, and shopping centers) in Jordan, and to determine the influence of geometric and control factors on their capacities. Continuous queues were recorded at each gate. Also, geometric elements were measured for each gate including; number of lanes, gate width, speed hump height and width, and slope of the gate. Regression analysis was used to develop six gates models. At first, a general model was developed in which the data of all land uses and gate types were included. Then, three models were developed; one model for each land use. Finally, a model for each gate type (entrance or exit) was developed. The analysis indicated that the number of lanes and control method have the major significant effect on gate capacity. University gates have the largest traffic capacities among the three studied land uses. The hospitals gates come in the second place whereas the shopping centers gates come at last. This can be referred to the fact that the users of gates may be different from one land use to another. This research found that exits have more capacity than entrances because usually there is no control on exits, and automatic control could reduce the traffic capacity at entrances due to that more time is needed for checking and processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the development of elevated parking in residential buildings in Jordan to address the problem in parking congestions. Topics include the choice of residents to live in multistory apartment buildings due to rapid growth of population, increased ownership of private vehicles that attributed to park congestion, and the prediction on the parking demands for residential apartment buildings.

Background Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency and becomes serious when it perforates. Perforation is more frequent in the elderly patients. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors of perforation in elderly patients who presented with acute appendicitis. Methodology The medical records of 214 patients over the age of 60 years who had a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of acute appendicitis over a period of 10 years (2003-2013) were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were grouped into those with perforated and those with nonperforated appendicitis. Comparison was made between both groups in regard to demography, clinical presentation, and time delay to surgery, diagnosis, hospital stay and postoperative complications. Clinical assessment, Ultrasonography and Computerized tomography, in that order, were used for diagnosis. The incidence of perforation was also compared with a previous report from the same region 10 years earlier. Results During the study period, a total of 214 patients over the age of 60 years had acute appendicitis, 103 males and 111 females. Appendix was found perforated in 87 (41%) patients, 46 (53%) males and 41(47%) females. Of all patients, 31% were diagnosed by clinical assessment alone, 40% needed US and 29% CT scan. Of all the risk factors studied, the patient's pre-hospital time delay was the most important risk factor for perforation. Perforation rate was not dependent on the presence of comorbid diseases or in-hospital time delay. Post operative complications occurred in 44 (21%) patients and they were three times more common in the perforated group, 33 (75%) patients in the perforated and 11 (25%) in the nonperforated group. There were 6 deaths (3%), 4 in the perforated and 2 in the nonperforated group. Conclusion Acute appendicitis in elderly patients is a serious disease that requires early diagnosis and treatment. Appendiceal Perforation increases both mortality and morbidity. All elderly patients presented to the hospital with abdominal pain should be admitted and investigated. The early use of CT scan can cut short the way to the appropriate treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To (1) identify the perceptions of Jordanian patients who suffer from coronary artery diseases towards nurse caring behaviours in critical care units; (2) identify the perceptions of Jordanian nurses who work in critical care units towards nurse caring behaviours; and (3) compare the perceptions of both patients and nurses towards nurse caring behaviours in critical care units. Background Caring is an important concept in nursing, when nursing behaviours were perceived by patients as caring behaviours, and thus, their satisfaction with the quality of care can be improved. Therefore, it is important for nurses to be knowledgeable about the caring behaviours as perceived by patients who complained from coronary artery diseases themselves. Design A descriptive comparative design was used. Methods A convenience sample of 150 patients who complained from coronary artery diseases and 60 critical care unit nurses completed the demographic form and the Caring Behavior Assessment scale. Results Patients in critical care units perceived physical and technical behaviours as most important caring behaviours, whereas nurses in critical care units perceived teaching behaviours as most important caring behaviours. Conclusion There were significant differences between patient participants' and nurse participants' perceptions towards four subscales of Caring Behavior Assessment scale that should be considered when caring for patients with coronary artery diseases. Relevance to clinical practice Patients with coronary artery diseases need well-trained and clinically competent nurses to meet their needs. 'Spiritual needs' was an important nurse caring behaviour that should be emphasised in nursing practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research was to develop a model for estimating roundabout delay as a function of the influencing traffic and geometric factors. Fourteen roundabouts were selected from different cities in Jordan. Circulating volume, entry volume, and entry delay were measured during peak and off-peak periods using video cameras. Data on geometric design elements including circulating width, entry width, and roundabout diameter were measured through field survey. An empirical approach was used to develop a delay model as a function of the influencing factors based on a time interval of 15 min. The analysis indicated that geometric variables have significant effects on the roundabout entry delay. The entry width has the greatest influence, whereas the circulating width has the least influence. A comparison between delay models produced using different time intervals showed that, as time interval increases, R[sup 2] increases. The SIDRA delay model was validated using the field delay data, and it was found that it overestimates the delay, especially at high delay ranges. The M/M/1 (random arrivals, random services, and a single service channel) queuing delay model was also validated using the field delay data, and it was found that it estimates delay with high variability, especially for high delay ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case study investigated red light violations at rural and suburban signalized intersections in Jordan. Field observations were conducted at 15 signalized intersections located in different Jordanian regions: Amman, Irbid, and Zarqa. The results showed that, out of a total of 1,190 drivers who had a chance for violation, 153 (12.9%) drivers ran red lights. It was found that older drivers have less tendency for running red lights. Based on vehicle type, the analysis showed that truck drivers had the highest violation rate followed by small vehicles and then buses. The Y-shaped intersection had a higher percentage of violations as compared to the T- and cruciform-shaped intersections. The percentage of red light violations was found to be directly proportional to the subjects approach speed and inversely proportional to the conflicting traffic volumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Portomesenteric venous thrombosis (PMVT), a rare complication after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Severe consequences are owed to a high risk of bowel ischemia. Our aim is to present a series of patients who developed PMVT after LSG, highlighting the potential role of the vessel sealer and divider as a risk factor. Methods: Medical records of seven patients who underwent LSG and developed PMVT from April 2010 to January 2019, at King Abdullah University Hospital and Jordan University Hospital, Jordan were reviewed. Our findings were studied, audited, and compared with published data. Results: A sum of 4900 patients underwent LSG, 7 (0.14%) developed PMVT. The mean age and body mass index (BMI) were 36.8 years and 45 kg/m2, respectively. Four were women. Epigastric pain radiating to the back was the presenting symptom at a median time of 9 days after surgery. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen confirmed the diagnosis. Five patients presented with a total portal vein thrombosis (PVT), one with splenic vein thrombosis and one with dual portal and mesenteric vein thrombosis. Conclusion: Portomesenteric venous thrombosis is a relatively uncommon complication following LSG. Early recognition is required to avoid catastrophic outcomes. The role of energy systems in the development of PMVT remains unknown and requires further elaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]