Traffic Signal Impacts on Air Pollution and Fuel Consumption in Downtown Nablus City

Al-Sahili, Khaled; Abu-Eisheh, Sameer · 2003 · Crossref

DOI: 10.35552/anujr.a.18.1.624

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

Get this paper ↗ (DOI — opens at the source; we link to it, we don't host it)

Summary

This study investigates the impact of traffic signal improvements on air pollution and fuel consumption in downtown Nablus, Palestine. Motivated by the fact that vehicular traffic consumes approximately 60% of total fuel in the Palestinian territories and contributes significantly to air pollution, the research aims to evaluate how optimizing traffic signals can mitigate these environmental issues. The study focuses on the relationship between traffic movement metrics—such as speed, acceleration, and delay—and the resulting fuel usage and exhaust emissions. The researchers employed the CORSIM computer simulation model, a microscopic traffic simulation tool, to estimate traffic and environmental measures of effectiveness. Data for the simulation were derived from comprehensive traffic counts conducted at over 35 locations in downtown Nablus between October 2001 and March 2002. The study analyzed the current traffic conditions (2002) and projected future scenarios for 2007, assuming a 5% annual increase in vehicle numbers. The experimental design compared three scenarios: the current state, a future state without interventions, and a future state with optimized traffic signal timing and coordination across five key intersections and two major corridors (Faisal Street and Safian Street). The results indicated that without intervention, the projected increase in vehicle numbers by 2007 would lead to decreased average speeds, increased delays, and a 27% rise in carbon oxide emissions. However, implementing signal improvements—specifically optimizing cycle lengths and coordinating signals between intersections—yielded significant benefits. These improvements reduced average vehicle delays by 3% to 57%, decreased fuel consumption by 2% to 25%, and reduced carbon oxide emissions by 2% to 10%. For instance, on the heavily congested Faisal Street corridor, signal optimization increased completed trips by 40% and reduced delay by 27%. The study concludes that traffic signal optimization is an effective, low-cost strategy for improving traffic flow and reducing environmental impacts in urban areas. The authors recommend implementing network-level signal coordination and traffic systems management plans in Palestinian cities. These measures are presented as practical solutions to enhance traffic circulation and lower fuel consumption and emissions, particularly in contexts where extensive infrastructure changes are not immediately feasible. The findings align with global studies suggesting that signal improvements can reduce fuel consumption by 25% to 65%, demonstrating the applicability of such strategies in Nablus.

Provenance

The full processing record for this entry. Every stage of this paper's journey through the pipeline is logged — what ran, with which tool and model, how many attempts it took, and when it last completed.

Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-26; verification: verified.

Topics

Ranked by relevance to this paper. Hover a topic for its definition.

• signage environment