EVALUATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE LEVEL OF SERVICE OF MULTI-LANE HIGHWAYS IN JORDAN

The study aims to analyze, evaluate, and improve the level of service (LOC) of multi-lane highways in Jordan. The Alhizam multi-lane rural highway in Jordan was selected as a case study as it is considered a major arterial highway with high traffic volume. The traffic data was collected from governmental records of different departments in the Ministry of Public Work and Housing during the summer period of 2015. HCS-2000 and HCS-2010 software were used to evaluate the LOC for the existing, short-term (year 2020), and medium-term (year 2025) conditions. Some of the highway’s segments operate at LOS-E or LOS-F for short-term and medium-term conditions. For these segments, the short-term or medium-term conditions were improved through the modification of geometric and traffic conditions so that the segments operate at LOS-C or LOS-D. Management flow diagrams were prepared to provide decision-makers with a useful tool for the planning of rural multi-lane highways in Jordan

MODIFICATION OF ASPHALT MIXES USING WHITE CEMENT DUST AND IRON FILINGS AS A FILLER

The possibility of using white cement dust and iron filings as fillers to modify asphalt mix properties was investigated. Numerous aggregate tests were conducted, including sieve analysis, specific gravity, absorption, and abrasion tests. Several bitumen tests were also conducted, including penetration, softening point, ductility, flash point, and specific gravity tests. Marshall properties were used to evaluate the physical performance of the mixtures. The construction of pavements with iron filings in hot asphalt mixtures is not recommended, but white cement dust powder or limestone powder can be beneficial. A 5% content was observed to be the best white cement dust content. There is no clear relationship between air voids and the percentages of white cement dust and iron filings, as the curve fluctuates. The use of white cement dust as a filler always exhibits better results; therefore, using white cement dust widely is recommended over using iron filings

Strategic Development of Transportation Demand Management in Jordan

The urban population growth and increase in a number of vehicles have affected the travel demand on Jordan Streets. The study aims to apply the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) policies to reduce the traffic flow in urban areas and improve the Level of Service (LOS). A group of a combination between TDM and Transportation System Management (TSM) strategies have been conducted, when TDM strategies were not successful to improve LOS. TSM concept refers to any group of actions that increase the capacity of roads network. Synchro 8 software was used to analyse the intersection conditions as important point, connecting two main arterial street in Amman area. A significant reduction in delay and fuel consumption was measured, but there was no real enhancement in LOS. The LOS was improved, when traffic demand was reduced by 20% and capacity was increased with 6 lanes on each approach for the existing conditions. The percentage of saving in fuel consumption and delay was observed to be around 64% and 63%, respectively for the next 5 years

Evaluation and Improvement of Signalized Intersections in Amman City in Jordan

The main objective of this study is to evaluate and improve the traffic operations at the signalized intersections in Amman city in Jordan. Wadi-Saqra signalized intersection was chosen for this study. This intersection is located in the western central part of Amman the capital of Jordan. It has heavy traffic volume, with higher delay and heavy congestion traffic more than any other similar intersections in Amman. In this study, the intersection is analyzed as an isolated signalized intersection by using HCM (Highway Capacity Manual) and HCS (Highway Capacity System) computer program. Synchro computer program is also used for improvement through optimization process. The geometric, traffic and signalized data were collected during the morning and afternoon peak time periods. The results indicated that the current delay is 473 sec/veh with Level of Service F (LOS-F). Four alternatives are recommended to solve the current and future problems. The recommended alternatives are: Prohibit left turning at all approaches.Optimization of the existing traffic signals.Construct one through overpass for one direction.Construct two overpasses or one overpass and tunnel for two directions. The first three alternatives will not be able to reduce the level of service significantly.  On the other hand, the fourth alternative will reduce the level of service from LOS F with (473 sec/veh) delay to level of service LOS C with (27 sec/veh) delay and will change the cycle length from 190 seconds to 90 seconds. The estimated initial cost of constructing two overpasses is about thirty million Jordan Dinars JD with annual saving of more than eight million JD. If alternative four was selected to solve the existing situation the following advantages can be attained: reducing the congestion on the signalized intersection especially during peak hours, reducing the cost of traveling for the public, increasing the efficiency of the road network, increasing safety, reducing the maintenance cost of the roads, improving traffic flow and traffic operations, and reducing air pollution and preserving the environment. Key Words:  Environment, Air Pollution, Traffic Safety, Traffic Flow, Capacity, Level of Service, Signalized Intersections, Intersection Delay, Traffic Control, Intersection Design

Development of a Pavement Management System to be Used in Highway Pavement Evaluation in Jordan

Since year 2000, the main road network in Jordan has witnessed large developments in the fields of design, construction, evaluation and maintenance. This development aimed at keeping up with the socio-economical and social development and to accommodate the large increase in the number of vehicles of heavy loads and to contribute in reducing traffic accidents through constructing more corridors around the capital city of Amman. In addition, to rehabilitate and develop the present main roads and construct more new roads that link isolated areas with industrial centers and residential communities.The road network length in Jordan has increased to reach up to 8200km of major and minor roads. During the last ten years, expenditure on roads rose up to 547 million JD. This means that 76% of the allocated budget for roads was spent on road construction.The Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MPW&H) has paid a particular attention to road maintenance with the purpose of conserving this national wealth in spite of the limited allocated amounts for maintenance and rapid increase in maintenance costs. MPW&H took the initiative and awarded maintenance of some of the major roads to Private Sector so that they could contribute in improving this sector. This helped in opening up the opportunity to exchange experiences and to be aware of the sate- of –the- art in road maintenance. The total expenditures on road maintenance for the same period rose up to 173 million JD representing 24% of the road financial budget. Road maintenance includes periodical maintenance, rehabilitation, improvement and reconstruction. This study aims at introducing the presently adopted pavement management system by MPW&H, showing its positive and negative points, along with suggestions for development. Keywords: Pavement management, Road maintenance, Pavement evaluation, Roughness, Serviceability, Crack