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Senate Bill (SB) 743 (2013) and its related regulations eliminated automobile level of service (LOS) and replaced it with vehicle miles traveled (VMT) as the primary transportation impact metric for land development projects under the California Environmental Quality Act. Actual implementation of the LOS-to-VMT shift was left up to lead agencies, primarily local governments. The LOS-to-VMT shift was expected to create many challenges, given the often-limited resources of local governments, the entrenched use of LOS, and the perceived lack of established practice regarding VMT estimation, mitigation, and monitoring. With those concerns in mind, researchers at the University of California, Davis investigated how local governments have been implementing the LOS-to-VMT shift for land development projects.  This policy brief summarizes the findings from that investigation. View the NCST Project Webpage

Despite the growing population of women in Australian prisons, limited research has explored whether commonly used risk assessments – predominantly developed and tested on men – are valid for women. We investigated the discriminative and predictive validity of the Level of Service Inventory–Revised: Screening Version (LSI-R:SV), Level of Service/Risk, Need, Responsivity (LS/RNR), and the Historical, Clinical, Risk Management 20–Version 3 (HCR-20v3) for Victorian women imprisoned for serious violence (N = 79). The LS/RNR was related to any, violent, and non-violent recidivism, and both the LSI-R:SV and the H-Scale of the HCR-20v3 were related to violent recidivism, with the H-Scale demonstrating strong predictive validity for violence. Four LS/RNR needs domains demonstrated discriminative and predictive validity for any and/or violent recidivism (criminal history, family/marital, alcohol/drug problem, antisocial pattern). Findings are locally significant, showing that the LS/RNR and HCR-20v3 H-Scale are useful for the prediction and discrimination of recidivism for Australian women incarcerated for serious violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The religious and economic importance of the city of Karbala led to an increase in the number of daily trips and an increase in the flow of traffic, therefore it was necessary to know the city’s road network. This study deals with the evaluation of the traffic performance of urban streets of the study area. The survey was conducted for several days, in the morning and the evening. The data obtained for the selected roads at a distance of 200 m are engineering data, traffic data, and side friction data. The results showed that the values of side friction occurred during the morning and evening rush hours, which affect the decrease in the average speed by 51% because of the side friction was very high.

Most of the major modern cities of the world face problems due to traffic conditions. However, in the last decade the degree of motorization combined with increased urbanization and population density causes excess traffic capacity during peak hours on the main streets of already congested cities. In these circumstances, public transport should provide a reliable and alternative choice for daily travel. The article is focused on the development of models to quantify the environment in which public transport operates and the quality of services. Also, the use of artificial neural network as a tool for assisted analysis of all traffic components can help local authorities to improve the performance of public transport service. In addition, improvements in the reliability of public transport service can reduce travel costs and change the modal split.

The platform–train interface (PTI) is one of the most complex spaces in metro stations. At the PTI, the interaction of boarding and alighting causes a high number of passengers to be present, affecting the boarding and alighting time, among other variables related to safety and efficiency. This research was performed to develop a multidimensional level of service for passengers by means of observing existing stations. The methodology included five dimensions of the level of service (passenger behaviour, train design, passenger characteristics, train operation, and platform built environment), and detection techniques based on a tracking system. The stations are operating urban services in Valparaiso Metro (Chile). The results show that there is a relationship between the speed of passengers and the detected passengers, among other variables. In addition, the dispersion of passengers is analysed at the PTI. Further research will include other types of stations and conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transport demand has been increasing in most third-world countries. However, poorly maintained facilities and poor planning exposed pedestrians to hightraffic accidents. This paper aims to evaluate pedestrian facilities using the pedestrian level of service to enhance pedestrian safety in Addis Ababa. Relevant data was collected through field measurement and direct observation from 13 purposively identified pedestrian sites across the Piyasa to Bole bridge and Megenagna to Torihayloch road corridors. Pedestrian level of service derivation considered capacity, traffic, comfort, safety, and security conditions and their sub-components. The weight of each criterion and sub-factor was decided according to the Saaty scale using the judgment of experts under the analytical hierarchical process. The result of the study strongly stipulates the presence of the problem of pedestrian facilities in Megenagna, Mexico, Urael Church, and Golagol which can affect the level of pedestrian safety. However, Denibel City, Legahare, Torhayloch, and National Theater sites have scored better Pedestrian level of service for the walking population. Finally, the study recommended the requirement of prior attention for the sites with very poor and poor pedestrian levels of service by the concerned sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of traffic congestion at signalized intersections is a concern in transportation systems due to the growth of urban areas and increased vehicular transportation. To study the evolution of congestion and evaluate the traffic performance operation of signalized intersections under problematic congested and improved conditions, the microscopic simulation VISSIM software is utilized. The objectives of this paper are to evaluate operational techniques, build a simulation model, and produce a well-calibrated and validated model. The methodology procedure to evaluate the signalized intersection involves the application of a traffic simulation model to observe real-time delays and stopped vehicles. Using the VISSIM software Version 9 to create an intersection model and redesign geometry with an exclusive right turn to enhance the intersection functionality and reduce delay. Our research focused on the Al-Nakhala signalized intersection located in the southern part of Palestine urban street in Baghdad city. This intersection is one of the busiest along the corridor due to significant land-use changes in the study area, including residential, educational, or commercial areas generating daily pressure from additional trips and saturating the absorptive capacity of the intersections. The proposed scenario of an exclusive right– turn could reduce the queue length and vehicle delay at the signalized intersection, resulting in a more efficient traffic operation. As a result of the reduction in vehicle delay, the Level of service (LOS) for the north, west, and east approaches improved from F to D. However, there was only a slight improvement for the south approach, with the LOS changing from E to F. Nonetheless, there was a noticeable reduction in queue length and vehicle delay ranging from 25% to 50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the escalating density of vehicles converging at road intersections, the surge in road accidents, traffic conflicts, and traffic congestion has emerged as a pressing concern. This research paper addresses these challenges by employing MC (manual control) techniques to mitigate encroachment issues at three selected intersections. These intersections were identified through a comprehensive analysis of the Ranking-based Instance Selection (RIS), enabling the design of suitable measures to facilitate smooth traffic flow and minimize the occurrence of crashes. In order to gather pertinent data, the study incorporates various parameters such as traffic volume, peak flow rate (PFR), traffic conflicts, accidents, and intersection inventory. Through the implementation of our proposed approaches, which involve both MC techniques and signalized operation, a supreme level of service (LOS) is attainable. Notably, our findings demonstrate a remarkable reduction in the volume-to-capacity ratio (v/c ratio) of up to 0.62. This paper thus serves as a significant contribution to the field of traffic management, offering practical insights for optimizing intersection design and effectively addressing the challenges posed by increased traffic density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of shopping malls and vehicles in Baghdad has quickly increased along with the city's population. This has resulted in an increase in daily trips, which affects the roadway network's traffic flow and causes congestion, particularly on Al-Mansour Street and Al-Rowad Street near the city center. To determine the best signal time, the 14th Ramadan signalized intersection was evaluated and analyzed using the SIDRA 8.0 and SYNCHRO 11.0 software. First, the findings revealed that the chosen traffic facility is presently experiencing a substantial reduction in service level that is leading to forced conditions (LOS "F"). It is suggested that the cycle time at the intersection of the 14th Ramadan be changed from 240 seconds to 160 seconds and 125 seconds in SIDRA and SYNCHRO, respectively. Signal timings have reduced the delay for the 14th Ramadan intersection (76.8%), thus improving LOS from (F) to (D) for the intersection. The best delays after optimization in SYNCHRO 11.0, however, were 31% reduction with LOS of (E and D). Cycle times have also been lowered for the intersection to 25% as part of the optimum signal timing optimization. In SYNCHRO 11.0, which is better than SIDRA 8.0, the back of the queue has improved at the 14th Ramadan intersection by 33%. However, SYNCHRO has a better representation than SIDRA for current traffic saturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2018, pursuant to Senate Bill (SB) 743 (2013), the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the California NaturalResources Agency promulgated regulations and technical guidance that eliminated automobile level of service (LOS) as a transportation impact metric for land development projects under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and replaced it with Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). The authors investigated how local governments have been implementing the LOS-to-VMT shift for land development projects, and how that differs from past practice. They also explored whether local governments monitor the actual VMT impacts from completed land use developments and what methods are available to do so. Their findings indicate that all responding jurisdictions acknowledged the mandatory LOS-to-VMT shift, but were in varying stages ofimplementing the shift. For those jurisdictions that had adopted VMT impact significance thresholds, most adhered closely to OPR’s recommendations. They also mostly tried to use apples-to-apples methods of calculating baseline VMT levels (for setting thresholds) and estimating project-level VMT, often relying on travel demand model outputs for both. However, most jurisdictions gave short shrift to VMT monitoring. Another important aspect of SB 743 implementation is how LOS will continue to be used outside of CEQA. The authors found that jurisdictions uniformly continue to employ LOS outside of CEQA. However, those LOS analyses are not necessarily as comprehensive and expensive as they would have been for CEQA purposes. The authors found a consensus amongst their interviewees that swapping LOS for VMT could streamline development in urban areas.View the NCST Project Webpage

In this article, we analyze the operation of the road network of the city of Karbala in Iraq, which is characterized by its religious and tourist character, and evaluate the effectiveness of the urban street network in it in order to identify the main steps that need to be taken to take measures to improve traffic efficiency and reduce delays. The scientific novelty of this work lies in the fact that it is the first of its kind, as far as we know, which addresses the problem of traffic efficiency in the city of Karbala as a whole, since the traffic density on the main transport axes in this city varies greatly during normal times and peak hours (morning and evening). The results of the analysis showed that some sectors operate in conditions of congested (stable) traffic (LOS F) in the morning and evening hours, and such sectors require immediate traffic management strategies. While the rest of the sectors are operating at or close to the same capacity (LOSE). Purpose - Analyzed the operation of the Karbala city road network in Iraq and evaluate its effectiveness to identify the main steps that need to be taken to improve traffic efficiency and reduce delays. Methodology. In this work, an experimental analytical methodology was used, in which data were collected, analyzed and compared with relevant information sources. Results. The categories of urban roads were determined based on the speed of free movement (FFS), and the level of service (LOS) is calculated for selected urban streets taking into account the average speed of traffic (ATS). Measurements of speed and travel time showed that traffic jams occurred on Fatima Al-Zahra Street, the second part of Ramadan Street and some sections of Al-Abbas Street in the morning. These areas require immediate traffic management strategies. In the evening, traffic jams were also observed on sections of Fatima Al-Zahra Street, part 2 of Al-Iskan Street and the first section of Ramadan Street. The decrease in traffic speed led to traffic jams on Al-Abbas, Al-Iskan Streets and some sections of Fatima Al-Zahra Street. Low FPS values indicate that the average speed of movement in these areas is low even with a small flow. Practical implications. It is recommended to apply the results obtained to the Traffic Management Department of the city of Karbala.

Main aim of this research was to apply multiple approaches for the development of time delay functions on three highways in Bahrain, namely; Dry Dock Highway, Arad Highway and Zallaq Highway. Four equations were obtained from previous studies and two equations were, additionally, tailored for each of the three highways. The results were used to obtain two parameters that aid in design, optimum flow rate and level of service.

• Investigating cyclist discomfort in shared spaces. • Varied discomfort in passing and meeting events among demographics. • Cycling experience enhances comfort for older adults. • Younger adults with e-scooter experience have lower cycling comfort. Shared spaces for active mobility prioritize the safety and comfort of vulnerable road users by segregating them from motorized vehicles. However, the diverse speed regimes of pedestrians and cyclists can lead to encounters that may affect their comfort. In addition, the very perception of comfort may vary across individuals depending on their demographics, and therefore the determinants of comfort and their effects may not be fixed across all individuals. Despite these complexities, there is limited research in understanding the heterogeneous interactions between cyclists and other road users in shared spaces. To bridge this gap, we conducted an intercept survey complemented by an experimental section involving 594 cyclists in Sweden. This study focuses on gaining insights into cyclists' experiences, particularly their comfort levels during 'passing' and 'meeting' events with other road users in shared spaces. We then used the collected data to develop a random effect latent class ordered probit model to scrutinize the determinants of cycling comfort in passing and meeting scenarios. The latent class specification is employed to account for unobserved heterogeneity in the data. Findings reveal that female cyclists generally perceive less comfort compared to their male counterparts in both scenarios. Passing events have a more negative impact on older adults, leading to less comfort compared to younger cyclists. We also found that previous cycling experience increases comfort in shared facilities, particularly for older adults. These results highlight the intricate nature of perceived comfort in interactions, particularly concerning demographic characteristics, contributing to the promotion of user diversity in shared spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The public transportation system is critical in meeting the demands of the rapidly growing population and increased mobility. Thus, providing and improving public services has become an urgent need in recent years. This study aims to evaluate the level of Baghdad's public transport system using a variety of criteria, including public transport availability, and comfort level. Service level is a method used to develop transport infrastructure labels based on a specific analysis. The importance of evaluating road operational performance services to improve bus service delivery is based on the concept of service level. The relatively high performance of bus service delivery can affect the level of satisfaction of its users. The availability of public transportation is analyzed in terms of frequency, service coverage, and hours. This study assesses the level of service for five specific major bus routes in Baghdad (4, 12, 45, 61, and 113). Survey processes were used to collect data. The results indicate that all lines according to service hours were at the level of service "E". While the service frequency is within the service levels "A", "B", and "C", and transit-auto travel time is within the service levels Class "B", and "C". This study contributes to being a useful guide for developing a comprehensive plan for the level of service and improving the quality of bus service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traffic congestion poses a persistent and escalating problem for major cities in both developed and developing countries, exerting a direct impact on the economic growth and development of these urban areas. Quantifying the extent of traffic congestion is the fundamental initial step in comprehending the severity of traffic congestion in order to devise effective methods for alleviation. The city of Addis Ababa is currently experiencing significant traffic congestion at its main intersections. The primary aim of this research is to assess the current level of traffic congestion at specific intersections. The assessment of traffic congestion was conducted using the travel time method. Data on travel time, traffic volume, and travel speed were gathered at three blocks and two intersections using a combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. The travel rate, delay rate, and total travel delay (in vehicle-minutes) were computed. The total vehicle-minute delay for the selected three segments is estimated to be approximately 12,708 vehicle-minutes (or 212 vehicle-hours). The text reveals the significance of measuring the various components of traffic congestion in order to ensure a sustainable traffic system. It also highlights the importance of maintaining a satisfactory level of service for the future sustainability of City. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study has two parts as determining traffic LOS and nanoscale analyses on the filters which can collect nanoparticle materials sourced by exhaust waste. Therefore, at first, determination of the traffic behaviour as the level of service (LOS) in Sıhhiye campus of Hacettepe University in Ankara was studied. Then, exhaust gas analysis by using facing masks was conducted for different parameters and these masks were used to collect and analyse exhaust on them. The parameters were determined as vehicle and fuel types, filter masks, sampling distances respect to exhaust source. The measurements and samplings were realized for the vehicles which are public cars and service minibuses which use different fuel types as petrol, eco-diesel and diesel. Additionally, 5 different filter types were used to analyse traffic behaviour as exhaust gas may affect human health. For this reason, different mask types with different specified parameters, which are using as face masks for health and a new type was prepared by Argiope lobata spider silk membrane, were also investigated in relation to the filtered exhaust gases. Measurements were made for three different distances as 30, 60 and 90 cm from exhaust pipe output and with a constant sampling time range of 3 min. Apart from the previously known microscopic and macroscopic analyses on exhaust gases, it was examined whether the exhaust outputs frequently spread nanoparticle waste or not by using SAXS analyses on samples. As a result of the study, relation with traffic conditions with clear transportation can be affirmed. Additionally, the study reported important outcomes, such as a new designed filter mask material, which prevents the nanoparticles waste material, the critical distance from the exhaust sources and the importance of different fuel usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With Nnebisi Road acting as a case study, this study focuses on the investigation of traffic congestion on Asaba Road. The study aims to examine the relationship between vehicle volume and road capacity, enabling transportation authorities to assess congestion levels and make informed decisions to alleviate traffic issues. Peak traffic counts were conducted, revealing the highest traffic flow on specific road sections on different days. The Ibusa – Stadium junction saw the highest volume on Monday, reaching 3,056 vehicles, while Ibusa – Ofili- Ilukwu junction peaked at 3,128 vehicles, also on Monday, and Ibusa – Ogbeogonogo junction hit 3,151 vehicles on Tuesday. Speed performance index varied across junctions and days, generally exceeding 60%. For instance, Ibusa – Stadium Junction ranged from 69.57% to 71.82% from Monday to Friday, Ibusa – Ofili-Ilukwu junction showed values between 63.59% and 68.95%, and Ibusa – Ogbeogonogo Junction ranged from 61.57% to 70.11%. These findings suggest a better road traffic state with higher average speeds. Moreover, the volume to capacity ratio, indicates the level of congestion and delays experienced. The ratio values along the studied road sections ranged from 0.61 to 0.70. These ratios, along with the speed performance index, classify the level of service as class B, indicating moderate congestion and delays with slightly longer travel times, yet still acceptable to users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is (1) to determine and analyze the customer satisfaction index against the Level of Service; (2) to know and analyze the Level of Service factors considered important by the customer; (3) to identify and analyze the Level of Service gap between customer expectations and satisfaction; (4) to know and analyze the Level of Service factors that should be improved. The data collection method used a questionnaire with a sample of 201 respondents. The analysis method uses Gap Analysis, Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) and Importance Performance Analysis (IPA). Based on the results of CSI analysis, a value of 77.73 was obtained, the number was in the range of 60.01 - 80 which means satisfactory or good, while based on the results of the Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) analysis, 9 indicators were obtained which are still in quadrant one can be interpreted that these indicators have low reality and high expectations from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport terminal two. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Over the world, signalized intersections and road networks with heavy traffic have posed severe issues. So, it is crucial to employ cutting-edge software tools to ensure the current system can be managed and assessed. Therefore; this paper aims to analyze and evaluate the traffic flow performance at AL-Masbah signalized intersections in Baghdad city during peak hours by utilizing SIDRA INTERSECTION 5. For purposes of evaluation, the Level of Service LOS, average delay time, capacity, degree of saturation, queue for Intersection, fuel consumption, and carbon dioxide emission have been considered. In this study, video count was used to collect data. The main input data included peak hour factor (PHF), numbers and width of lanes, percent of heavy vehicles for each direction and movement, median, phasing, and timing. The results of the analysis indicated that the intersection is operated at LOS ( F) with a backlog queue of 166.1 which is the queue for any lane used by movement (vehicles)and a 1262m queue for any lane used by movement (meters) m, while fuel consumption was at a rate of 849.9 liters per hour. Furthermore, the results revealed that carbon dioxide (CO2) emission was increased by 2124.8 Kg per hour. So, It can be concluded that the intersection needs to improve its level of service by changing its geometry or by implementing an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of shopping malls and vehicles in Baghdad has quickly increased along with the city's population. This has resulted in an increase in daily trips, which affects the roadway network's traffic flow and causes congestion, particularly on Al-Mansour Street and Al-Rowad Street near the city center. To determine the best signal time, the 14th Ramadan signalized intersection was evaluated and analyzed using the SIDRA 8.0 and SYNCHRO 11.0 software. First, the findings revealed that the chosen traffic facility is presently experiencing a substantial reduction in service level that is leading to forced conditions (LOS "F"). It is suggested that the cycle time at the intersection of the 14th Ramadan be changed from 240 seconds to 160 seconds and 125 seconds in SIDRA and SYNCHRO, respectively. Signal timings have reduced the delay for the 14th Ramadan intersection (76.8%), thus improving LOS from (F) to (D) for the intersection. The best delays after optimization in SYNCHRO 11.0, however, were 31% reduction with LOS of (E and D). Cycle times have also been lowered for the intersection to 25% as part of the optimum signal timing optimization. In SYNCHRO 11.0, which is better than SIDRA 8.0, the back of the queue has improved at the 14th Ramadan intersection by 33%. However, SYNCHRO has a better representation than SIDRA for current traffic saturation

This study has two parts as determining traffic LOS and nanoscale analyses on the filters which can collect nanoparticle materials sourced by exhaust waste. Therefore, at first, determination of the traffic behaviour as the level of service (LOS) in Sıhhiye campus of Hacettepe University in Ankara was studied. Then, exhaust gas analysis by using facing masks was conducted for different parameters and these masks were used to collect and analyse exhaust on them. The parameters were determined as vehicle and fuel types, filter masks, sampling distances respect to exhaust source. The measurements and samplings were realized for the vehicles which are public cars and service minibuses which use different fuel types as petrol, eco-diesel and diesel. Additionally, 5 different filter types were used to analyse traffic behaviour as exhaust gas may affect human health. For this reason, different mask types with different specified parameters, which are using as face masks for health and a new type was prepared by Argiope lobata spider silk membrane, were also investigated in relation to the filtered exhaust gases. Measurements were made for three different distances as 30, 60 and 90 cm from exhaust pipe output and with a constant sampling time range of 3 min. Apart from the previously known microscopic and macroscopic analyses on exhaust gases, it was examined whether the exhaust outputs frequently spread nanoparticle waste or not by using SAXS analyses on samples. As a result of the study, relation with traffic conditions with clear transportation can be affirmed. Additionally, the study reported important outcomes, such as a new designed filter mask material, which prevents the nanoparticles waste material, the critical distance from the exhaust sources and the importance of different fuel usage.

Transport demand has been increasing in most third-world countries. However, poorly maintained facilities and poor planning exposed pedestrians to high-traffic accidents. This paper aims to evaluate pedestrian facilities using the pedestrian level of service to enhance pedestrian safety in Addis Ababa. Relevant data was collected through field measurement and direct observation from 13 purposively identified pedestrian sites across the Piyasa to Bole bridge and Megenagna to Torihayloch road corridors. Pedestrian level of service derivation considered capacity, traffic, comfort, safety, and security conditions and their sub-components. The weight of each criterion and sub-factor was decided according to the Saaty scale using the judgment of experts under the analytical hierarchical process. The result of the study strongly stipulates the presence of the problem of pedestrian facilities in Megenagna, Mexico, Urael Church, and Golagol which can affect the level of pedestrian safety. However, Denibel City, Legahare, Torhayloch, and National Theater sites have scored better Pedestrian level of service for the walking population. Finally, the study recommended the requirement of prior attention for the sites with very poor and poor pedestrian levels of service by the concerned sectors.

This white paper assesses how cities are modifying transportation impact fees in response to Senate Bill (SB) 743, adopted in 2013 to orient environmental review of transportation impacts of development projects and plans in California to support sustainable development. SB 743 and its implementing guidelines eliminated “level of service” (LOS) standards for automobile traffic delay as an environmental impact to be addressed under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), recommending instead that localities and other lead agencies responsible for CEQA review analyze, and if possible, mitigate impacts on vehicle miles traveled (VMT) instead. As cities proceed to implement SB 743, some are going further than the minimum required to analyze and mitigate for VMT at the development project level. Instead, they are also pursuing “programmatic” approaches, including altering citywide impact fees imposed on developers, to support more systematic analysis and mitigation than is possible at the project level alone. Based on public documents research and interviews with consultants and planners, this paper identifies three basic approaches that cities are taking to design impact fees in conjunction with their policy approaches for addressing SB 743: first, to design impact fee programs that fund VMT-reducing projects, but without employing a VMT “nexus” (the nexus is the basis for identifying impacts to be addressed by the program); second, to employ a VMT nexus for identifying facilities need and cost allocation; and third, to design a fee program that links to systematic CEQA-reviewed VMT analysis in the General Plan and/or other related CEQA-reviewed city wide policy documents. In this latter approach, cities may or may not design their fee program to fund VMT-reducing projects; indeed, this approach may help facilitate a more traditional, LOS-based fee program. This outcome can happen if a city analyzes VMT systematically for the General Plan, and then adopts a “statement of overriding considerations” under CEQA, which allows for development projects to “tier” off the programmatic environmental review so as to avoid the need for conducting cumulative VMT impacts analysis. This approach may facilitate more systematic integration of VMT and LOS analysis at the citywide level, but it does not support SB 743 goals for supporting VMT-reducing projects and programs.View the NCST Project Webpage

Significant social, economic, and environmental costs are associated with traffic congestion. The effectiveness of intersections makes a substantial contribution to the effectiveness of entire road networks. The three-leg at-grade Al-Husainea intersection, located 20 km from the center of holy Karbala city in Iraq, is subjected to serious congestion, resulting in an increase in delay time, reduction in capacity, and bad level of service (LOS). Therefore, it is essential to use advanced software tools to ensure that the current intersection can be controlled, evaluated, and improved. So, the major goal of this study is to use SIDRA, an acronym for signalized and unsignalized intersection design and research aid, software to evaluate the LOS of the Al-Husainea intersection, in which the traffic is assessed using the current LOS. LOS, delay time, and degree of saturation were the criteria utilized to evaluate the traffic flow performance. SIDRA is also used to assess benefits as a result of suggested changes in the design of particular junctions. The first stage is to gather field data regarding traffic volumes utilizing a method of traffic volume gathering. From 7 am to 6 pm, the SIDRA program gathered data for a full 7 days. The results showed that the LOS for the Al-Husainea intersection in the Al-Husainea arm is F, with an average delay of 52 s per vehicle and a saturation level of 0.86 v/c. Finally, it was determined that the Al-Husainea intersection needs additional improvements based on the study and findings from the SIDRA program, and some remedies are suggested in this study to improve the intersection traffic flow.

Introduction. Historic cities face the issues of sustainable development, especially city centres that have high cultural value. One of the most important topics is ensuring connectivity and accessibility as road and street networks in historic centres have their own characteristics: narrow alleys, high density of buildings, vehicles, pedestrian flows and a variety of public activities. In this aspect, there is the research interest to assess current condition of streets in the historic centres to make informed decisions about their reconstruction in order to create a flexible, comfortable and safe public environment.Materials and methods. Selecting Aleppo city as the object of study, analyzing the current situation of general plan and infrastructure of the city using GIS maps, open public data and information provided by local municipality of the city and through applying (LOS-Level of Service) method which is designed for analyzing transportation networks in this case in the historic city centre.Results. A classification of the streets of the historic city centre was developed, which is designed due to pedestrian ratios, taking into account hierarchy that considers the valuable heritage objects that are located near the studied streets that attract visitors. As a final result a method was suggested for the purpose of ranking level of street services from A to F and the classification of streets according to their values.Conclusions. Identified streets that require reconstruction solutions to improve the quality of the urban environment, with the aim of creating comfortable and safe conditions for pedestrians, while ensuring the accessibility of the urban infrastructure, taking into account its historical value.

Effective facility asset management requires specific skills and tools to optimize the use of limited resources, making a decision support system essential. This research introduces a comprehensive decision support system, which is a framework organized into three models: the criticality model, the rehabilitation model, and the optimum criticality model to manage the rehabilitation of facility assets. The criticality model utilizes the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to assess the group of assets. Emphasizing criticality as a central management factor, this model lays the foundation for subsequent decision-making. The rehabilitation model employs an Artificial Neural Network (ANN), integrating Customer Level of Service (CLoS), Technical Level of Service (TLoS), and asset criticality to determine appropriate rehabilitation actions. NeuralTools 7.5 is leveraged for precise predictions of rehabilitation strategies tailored to specific assets. The third model, optimum criticality, focuses on prioritizing rehabilitation activities within the constraints of limited budgets. Lingo 20.0 is utilized to optimize rehabilitation activities, considering budget limitations and other constraints, offering a strategic approach to maximize the impact of available resources. This integrated framework provides decision-makers with a systematic and data-driven approach to facility management, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of rehabilitation actions. An academic building was chosen as a hypothetical example to implement the three models and suggest the essential considerations for managing both the academic building itself and other infrastructure assets. The results obtained demonstrate that the principles and methodologies encapsulated in this project can be extrapolated and scaled up for application to large-scale infrastructure assets, ensuring the sustenance of the requisite level of service and the management of acceptable risk on a broader scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution in cities and the possibilities of reducing this pollution represent one of the most important factors that today's society has to deal with. This paper focuses on a systemic approach to traffic emissions with their relation to meteorological conditions, analyzing the effect of weather on the quantity and dispersion of traffic emissions in a city. Using fuzzy inference systems (FIS) the model for predicting changes in emissions depending on various conditions is developed. The proposed model is based on traffic, meteorology and emission data measured in Prague, Czech Republic. The main objective of the work is to provide insight into how urban planners and policymakers can plan and manage urban transportation more efficiently with environmental protection in mind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The public transportation system is critical in meeting the demands of the rapidly growing population and increased mobility. Thus, providing and improving public services has become an urgent need in recent years. This study aims to evaluate the level of Baghdad's public transport system using a variety of criteria, including public transport availability, and comfort level. Service level is a method used to develop transport infrastructure labels based on a specific analysis. The importance of evaluating road operational performance services to improve bus service delivery is based on the concept of service level. The relatively high performance of bus service delivery can affect the level of satisfaction of its users. The availability of public transportation is analyzed in terms of frequency, service coverage, and hours. This study assesses the level of service for five specific major bus routes in Baghdad (4, 12, 45, 61, and 113). Survey processes were used to collect data. The results indicate that all lines according to service hours were at the level of service "E". While the service frequency is within the service levels "A", "B", and "C", and transit-auto travel time is within the service levels Class "B", and "C". This study contributes to being a useful guide for developing a comprehensive plan for the level of service and improving the quality of bus service.

Traffic congestion poses a persistent and escalating problem for major cities in both developed and developing countries, exerting a direct impact on the economic growth and development of these urban areas. Quantifying the extent of traffic congestion is the fundamental initial step in comprehending the severity of traffic congestion in order to devise effective methods for alleviation. The city of Addis Ababa is currently experiencing significant traffic congestion at its main intersections. The primary aim of this research is to assess the current level of traffic congestion at specific intersections. The assessment of traffic congestion was conducted using the travel time method. Data on travel time, traffic volume, and travel speed were gathered at three blocks and two intersections using a combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. The travel rate, delay rate, and total travel delay (in vehicle-minutes) were computed. The total vehicle-minute delay for the selected three segments is estimated to be approximately 12,708 vehicle-minutes (or 212 vehicle-hours). The text reveals the significance of measuring the various components of traffic congestion in order to ensure a sustainable traffic system. It also highlights the importance of maintaining a satisfactory level of service for the future sustainability of City.

Over the world, signalized intersections and road networks with heavy traffic have posed severe issues. So, it is crucial to employ cutting-edge software tools to ensure the current system can be managed and assessed. Therefore; this paper aims to analyze and evaluate the traffic flow performance at AL-Masbah signalized intersections in Baghdad city during peak hours by utilizing SIDRA INTERSECTION 5. For purposes of evaluation, the Level of Service LOS, average delay time, capacity, degree of saturation, queue for Intersection, fuel consumption, and carbon dioxide emission have been considered. In this study, video count was used to collect data. The main input data included peak hour factor (PHF), numbers and width of lanes, percent of heavy vehicles for each direction and movement, median, phasing, and timing. The results of the analysis indicated that the intersection is operated at LOS ( F) with a backlog queue of 166.1 which is the queue for any lane used by movement (vehicles)and a 1262m queue for any lane used by movement (meters) m, while fuel consumption was at a rate of 849.9 liters per hour. Furthermore, the results revealed that carbon dioxide (CO2) emission was increased by 2124.8 Kg per hour. So, It can be concluded that the intersection needs to improve its level of service by changing its geometry or by implementing an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS).

The platform–train interface (PTI) is one of the most complex spaces in metro stations. At the PTI, the interaction of boarding and alighting causes a high number of passengers to be present, affecting the boarding and alighting time, among other variables related to safety and efficiency. This research was performed to develop a multidimensional level of service for passengers by means of observing existing stations. The methodology included five dimensions of the level of service (passenger behaviour, train design, passenger characteristics, train operation, and platform built environment), and detection techniques based on a tracking system. The stations are operating urban services in Valparaiso Metro (Chile). The results show that there is a relationship between the speed of passengers and the detected passengers, among other variables. In addition, the dispersion of passengers is analysed at the PTI. Further research will include other types of stations and conditions.

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically affected transportation systems, including the ability of localities to pay for them. We explore the effects of the pandemic and the associated economic turbulence on local option sales taxes (LOSTs), an increasingly common revenue source for transportation in California and across the U.S. LOSTs have many advantages over alternative finance instruments, and they can raise prodigious amounts of revenue. However, LOST funding relies on consumer spending. During times of economic weakness, spending and therefore LOST revenues will lag. This is precisely the pattern we observe in California counties during the initial months of the pandemic. Fortunately for local transportation budgets, LOST revenues recovered after the initial economic shock of COVID-19, albeit at a lower level than they likely would have otherwise. LOST revenue trends during the pandemic were affected by national and regional economic conditions and government policy as well. This public health crisis illustrates both the pitfalls and resilience of LOSTs during economic downturns and recoveries. The lessons from the pandemic’s effects on LOSTs will be useful for policymakers and analysts in preparing for inevitable future economic fluctuations.

Smart transport planning based on the use of available data while supporting sustainable transport modes is an integral part of the Smart city concept. This article presents a critical analysis of the Level of Service of Public Transport Operation Assessment Method, which is based on two indicators - the reliability index and the travel speed index. The method is applied to a larger sample of data from several different cities, it makes it possible to evaluate the possible shortcomings of the method, since the method has not yet been applied to such a large number of case studies.

This study has developed simulation-based models for evaluating the performance of skewed uncontrolled intersections since the existing models do not consider the effect of skew angle. The calibration parameters for simulating four-legged uncontrolled intersections are suggested. The results indicate that the developed simulation model can predict the capacity and level of service more accurately than the existing Indo-HCM. Moreover, different scenarios were also analysed to study the influence of speed breaker, temporary median, widening, and change in vehicle proportions on capacity. The study also proposes skew-angle-based volume warrants for the capacity of approach roads, which will be helpful for design engineers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Varanasi's prominence as a cultural and historical center means it receives visitors from all over the world. The city's tourism industry is a boon to the local economy. Better transportation infrastructure is crucial to attracting more tourists and increasing revenue. Varanasi is currently experiencing terrible difficulties due to various roadside frictional activities. Vehicle ownership grows in tandem with population growth. The increase in the number of vehicles on the road significantly impacts the reliability of the transportation network since land availability is fixed. The various roadside frictional activities usually found in the streets of Varanasi are on-street parking, pedestrian crossing, and Non-Motorized Vehicles (NMVs). There are not enough legal on-street parking and segregated lanes for NMVs/slow-moving vehicles or demarcation for pedestrian movements in the old city of Varanasi. Vehicles in Varanasi are traditionally parked on the street due to the narrow carriageways. Slow-moving vehicles are forced to move with fast-moving vehicles, and pedestrian crossings affect traffic flow. Integrated movement of slow-moving vehicles and rapid-moving vehicles affects traffic speed, pedestrian crossings impact the Level of Service (LOS), and on-street parking results in the reduction of the effective carriageway width and, hence, road capacity. This paper aims to identify the impact of pedestrian crossings, NMVs, and on-street parking on the traffic flow, speed, capacity, and LOS of urban arterial roads in Varanasi. To achieve this objective, two case studies were considered: the base section (with minimum side friction) and the friction section (with maximum side friction). The videography method was used for data collection. Nine hours of data were collected from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. The video was played on the screen for data extraction. The speed model was developed by using fundamental diagram methods. Speed-density curve was drawn using Greenshield’s model. The speed-flow curve was derived from the speed-density curve to estimate the capacity at the base and friction sections. Reduction in capacity was determined by comparing friction section capacity with base section capacity. V/C ratio of a particular road compared with the V/C value provided by IRC 106 to predict LOS. A correlation model was developed between the percentage reduction in capacity and road width. Increase in parking, the proportion of NMVs, and pedestrian crossing frequency reduce the traffic flow. It was observed that a 34.10% capacity loss occurs at a 29.31% reduction in effective width, and a 40.54% loss occurs at a 40.98% reduction in effective width. Roads with frictional activities affected its level of service up to LOS-E (for the Bhelupur section). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While designing roadway facilities the pedestrian crosswalks must be given high importance, because these are the locations where pedestrians interact with vehicular traffic directly. This study aims to determine Pedestrian Perception values (PV) and assess the Level of Service (LOS) for crosswalk facilities provided for pedestrians at signalized intersections in heterogeneous traffic conditions. For this purpose, 24 crosswalks of six signalized intersections were chosen: 16 crosswalk locations were used for model development and eight crosswalk locations were used for model validation. The perception value of pedestrians was collected by conducting a questionnaire survey and traffic data was collected using a videographic survey. The parameters considered for the present study are: pedestrian volume, time is taken by the pedestrian to cross the crosswalk, length of crosswalk, pedestrian crossing speed, vehicular volume, and turning movements. The present research work proposed a mathematical model for Perception Value (PV) to assess the LOS of crosswalks of signalized intersections in urban areas. The results of the study are helpful in enhancing pedestrian safety and comfort at crosswalks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing number of vehicles in Jordan has contributed to traffic congestion, particularly at roundabouts. Roundabouts deflect high volumes of traffic flow. To improve the performance of roundabouts, it is necessary to consider the impact of all components on traffic conditions, especially delay, queue length, and level of service (LOS), to reduce congestion and enhance efficiency and sustainability, etc. This study aims to (a) identify the optimal queue detector locations on all approaches at two selected roundabouts in Amman, Jordan, using micro-simulation (VISSIM) supported by programming (Python) software, and (b) validate the simulated models with the best LOS. Traffic and geometric data of roundabouts (Prince Faisal Bin al-Hussein, fifth; and Prince Rashid Bin Hassan, sixth roundabouts) were used for simulation purposes. The queue detector (across 15 distinct scenarios at various distances) and standard (base scenario, 50 m from the stop line) locations were assessed for optimal placement. The model validation was made based on all scenarios including signalized and non-signalized roundabouts. The best-case scenario for queue detector location was determined based on the highway capacity manual (HCM) criteria for measurement of effectiveness (MOE) at roundabouts. The optimal location was measured based on the duration of traffic delay (seconds), average queue length (m), and LOS. The optimal queue detector's location was observed to be 97 m from the roundabout stop line. It can reduce the traffic delay (or speed up the traffic flow) by 85.25%. The average queue length can be reduced up to 76.76%. The LOS F status on the selected roundabouts can be improved to LOS D. Overall, the application of adaptive signal and queue detectors in appropriate locations at all roundabout approaches is crucial to improve imbalanced traffic flow while reducing delays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]