Measuring users’ satisfaction of the road network using structural equation modeling
TL;DR: The satisfaction of road users is one of the main goals of any highway authority and this study evaluates and identifies factors that affect users' satisfaction with the road network.
About: This article is published in International Journal of Sustainable Transportation.The article was published on 2021-06-21. It has received 15 citations till now.
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TL;DR: In this paper , equivalent hourly traffic noise levels at different intersections in the city of Doha, Qatar were measured and compared to the local and World Health Organization (WHO) thresholds.
Abstract: In this study, equivalent hourly traffic noise levels at different intersections in the city of Doha, Qatar were measured and compared to the local and World Health Organization (WHO) thresholds. As part of the study, equivalent sound pressure levels, ambient temperature, humidity, and wind speed were recorded during the morning, afternoon, and evening hours on weekdays and weekends. The results showed that regardless of the day (weekday or weekend), the mean 16-h daytime traffic noise levels at all sites exceeded the local and the WHO’s recommended thresholds. The values of the mean weekday noise levels at the sites ranged between 67.6 dB(A) and 77.5 dB(A), whereas the weekend values ranged between 68.8 dB(A) and 76.9 dB(A). The measured noise levels were also compared with traffic noise levels reported in other countries. Finally, some recommendations to reduce excessive traffic noise levels were suggested. The results of the study could be used as a benchmark of traffic noise levels in the country after the implementation of any countermeasures in the future.
5 citations
01 May 2022
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors compile the challenges and key lessons learned from building a new drainage system in the city of Doha in the Middle East, which can help engineers, planners, and public agencies plan, study, and design similar facilities.
Abstract: Appropriate drainage system is a key factor in any roadway design project. Inadequate drainage infrastructure can cause premature deterioration of the highway as well as the development of hazardous safety circumstances such as hydroplaning. Qatar, a developing country in the Middle East, built a new drainage system in the city of Doha. The new system functioned with acceptable design efficiency and managed to mitigate the flooding problems after the end of rainfall. This study aims to compile the challenges and key lessons learned from building the new system. The results of this study can help engineers, planners, and public agencies plan, study, and design similar facilities.
4 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors evaluate and compare the impact of DMS and lane control signs on driving behavior on different types of roads in the city of Doha, the capital of Qatar.
Abstract: Developing countries are continuously upgrading their transportation systems. The latest improvement in Qatar, a fast-developing country in the Middle East, was the installation of dynamic message signs (DMS) and lane control signs (LCS). These signs were installed in multiple areas in the city of Doha, the capital of Qatar. However, there have been no studies in Qatar or the region regarding the effectiveness of such signs on driver behavior. This study aims to evaluate and compare the impact of DMS and LCS on driving behavior on different types of roads. A real-life driving experiment was conducted along a defined route in Doha that consists of three sections: arterial road, freeway with electronic signs, and freeway without electronic signs. The details of the trips were recorded using multiple methods. The results showed that the introduction of DMS and LCS did not significantly affect speed compliance. The results also indicated that LCS and DMS did not have a major effect on other driver behavior variables such as harsh braking and lane changing. The study provided several recommendations to road authorities concerning the deployment of electronic signs and highlighted a few topics for future research work.
3 citations
TL;DR: A before-and-after noise level studies to be conducted using field measurements at the same intersection such that site characteristics and traffic conditions remain similar except for the intersection type are conducted.
3 citations
TL;DR: The results indicated that signalized intersections can be a better option than roundabouts from a traffic noise perspective when traffic volume is expected to be high.
Abstract: This study aims to investigate and compare the traffic noise generated from signalized intersections and roundabouts. Hourly equivalent traffic noise level, traffic volume, and weather data were collected at four signalized intersections and four roundabouts of different sizes (two-lane and three-lane). Data were collected for a total period of 32 h during one weekday and one weekend at each intersection. A comparative traffic noise analysis that focused on peak hours was conducted between the different types of intersections. When comparing intersections of similar type and size, intersections with higher traffic volume produced higher traffic noise levels. However, when comparing intersections of different types and sizes, the two-lane roundabouts had lower traffic volume than the three-lane roundabouts but generated much higher traffic noise levels. When compared with two-lane signalized intersections, the two-lane roundabouts generated a much higher traffic noise with a slightly higher traffic volume. Similarly, the three-lane signalized intersections performed better than the three-lane roundabouts with marginally higher traffic noise levels and a much higher traffic volume. The results indicated that signalized intersections can be a better option than roundabouts from a traffic noise perspective when traffic volume is expected to be high.
3 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, a tourism support model with hypotheses involving several paths was proposed to model host community support for tourism development based on the factors found to influence reactions towards it using LISREL-8 structural equation analysis package.
1,106 citations
TL;DR: The authors assesses the extent to which the construction of new limited access highways has contributed to central city population decline, using planned portions of the interstate highway system as a source of exogenous variation.
Abstract: Between 1950 and 1990, the aggregate population of central cities in the United States declined by 17 percent despite population growth of 72 percent in metropolitan areas as a whole. This paper assesses the extent to which the construction of new limited access highways has contributed to central city population decline. Using planned portions of the interstate highway system as a source of exogenous variation, empirical estimates indicate that one new highway passing through a central city reduces its population by about 18 percent. Estimates imply that aggregate central city population would have grown by about 8 percent had the interstate highway system not been built.
1,038 citations
TL;DR: This article examined the factors predicting attitudes toward tourism of residents from a dozen communities in Arizona, generally following the model developed by Perdue, Long, and Allen, using social exchange theory as the foundation.
Abstract: This study examined the factors predicting attitudes toward tourism of residents from a dozen communities in Arizona, generally following the model developed by Perdue, Long, and Allen, using social exchange theory as the foundation. Findings indicated that in general, personal characteristics did not predict attitudes toward tourism, but community dependence on tourism was a predictor. Personal benefit from tourism predicted both positive and negative effects of tourism and support for additional tourism among residents of the Arizona communities; this was consistent with Perdue, Long, and Allen. Positive effects of tourism, however, did not predict tourism planning. Although support for additional tourism did predict tourism planning, it was a positive rather than a negative relationship as reported by Perdue, Long, and Allen. As expected, support for social exchange theory was mixed; the existence of personal benefit from tourism was not a significant predictor of support for tourism planning.
783 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate the role of interstate highways in the growth of U.S. cities and find that a 10% increase in a city's initial stock of highways causes about a 1 ∙5% increase of its employment over this 20-year period.
Abstract: We estimate the effects of interstate highways on the growth of U.S. cities between 1983 and 2003. We find that a 10% increase in a city's initial stock of highways causes about a 1 ∙5% increase in its employment over this 20 year period. To estimate a structural model of urban growth and transportation, we rely on an instrumental variables estimation that uses a 1947 plan of the interstate highway system, an 1898 map of railroads, and maps of the early explorations of the U.S. as instruments for 1983 highways. We investigate the role of interstate highways in the growth of U.S. cities. Our investigation is in three parts. In the first, we develop a simple structural model describing the joint evolution of highways and employment in cities. In the second, we develop an instrumental variables strategy that allows us to identify key parameters of our structural model. We are also able to provide out of sample evidence for the validity of our estimates and for the central assumptions of our model. In the third, we use our estimates to assess counterfactual transportation policies. We find that a 10% increase in a city's stock of (interstate) highways causes about a 1 ∙5% increase in its employment over 20 years and that an additional kilometre of highway allocated to a city at random is associated with a larger increase in employment or population than is a road assigned to a city by the prevailing political process. Our results also suggest that too many new highways were built between 1983 and 2003. These findings are important for three reasons. First, transportation generally, and infrastruc- ture in particular are large segments of the economy. The median U.S. household devotes about 18% of its income to road transportation while all levels of government together spend another 200 billion dollars annually. Overall, the value of capital stock associated with road transporta- tion in the U.S. tops 5 trillion dollars ( United States Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2007, 2010). Given the magnitude of transportation expenditures, it is important that the impact of these expenditures on economic growth be carefully evaluated and not assessed on the basis of the claims of advocacy groups. Our analysis provides a basis for assessing whether these resources are well allocated. Our results also provide useful guidance to policy makers charged with planning cities. Since changes in a city's transportation infrastructure cause changes to the city's employment, new transportation infrastructure causes complementary changes in the demand for public utilities and schools. Our results provide a basis for estimating the magnitude of such changes. Finally, this research is important to furthering our understanding of how cities operate and grow. Transportation costs are among the most fundamental quantities in theoretical models
720 citations
TL;DR: The authors explored the relationship between resident attitudes toward tourism and support for specific tourism development options and found that residents perceive tourism positively and support most specific types of development, although the nature of the relationship was different for each community.
Abstract: Many rural communities view tourism as an economic development strategy. This study explores the relationship between resident attitudes toward tourism and support for specific tourism development options. In addition, attitudes and support for development in seven diverse communities are compared. Results indicate that communities differ with respect to residents’ support for specific tourism development options and attitudes toward tourism. In general, residents perceive tourism positively and support most specific types of development. There is a relationship between attitudes and support for development, although the nature of the relationship is different for each community.
705 citations