Enhanced Road Network to Reduce the Effect of (External – External) Freight Trips on Traffic Flow

Abbas, Huda Abdulameer; Obaid, Hayder Abbas; Alwash, Ali Abdul Ameer · 2022 · Crossref

DOI: 10.28991/cej-2022-08-11-015

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Summary

This study addresses the traffic congestion and operational inefficiencies in Hilla, Iraq, caused by high volumes of (external–external) freight trips. Due to Hilla’s strategic location connecting Baghdad with southern provinces, trucks frequently traverse the city’s main entrances to reach neighboring districts, imposing a significant load on the internal road network. The research aims to evaluate a proposal for modifying the road network by adding new bypass roads to divert these through-trips, thereby reducing their negative impact on local traffic flow. The methodology involved building a geographical database of the current and proposed road networks using ArcGIS 10.4. The proposed modification includes an oval rotary shape surrounding the city, consisting of two freeways and three major arterials with a total length of approximately 38.7 km. Network analysis was conducted to determine the optimal routes for freight vehicles traveling between external entrances and exits. Additionally, TransCAD 4.5 software was used to calculate the Level of Service (LOS) and volume-to-capacity (V/C) ratios for the current network, the modified network, and a projected future scenario for the year 2030, assuming a 2.5% annual traffic growth rate. The results indicate that the proposed road network significantly improves travel efficiency for (external–external) freight trips. Network analysis showed that the suggested routes reduce total travel distance by approximately 9% and travel time by 30% compared to the current network. For instance, routes from the Nile and Athar entrances showed time reductions of over 27% and 28%, respectively. Regarding traffic operations, the current network exhibited LOS ratings of D, E, and F on major arterials during peak hours. Implementing the modified network, which assumes 50% of freight trips are diverted, improved the average LOS from D to C. Furthermore, the analysis demonstrated that the modified network maintains a better LOS in the target year 2030 compared to the current network, which is projected to degrade further due to traffic growth. The significance of this research lies in providing a data-driven infrastructure solution to mitigate freight-induced congestion in transit cities. By diverting through-traffic, the proposed network not only reduces travel time and distance for freight operators but also alleviates pressure on internal urban roads, improving overall traffic capacity and sustainability. The study highlights the importance of integrating geographic information systems and traffic simulation tools in transportation planning to address specific freight dynamics.

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• traffic density