Papers by Hashem al-Masaeid
Traffic Safety on Two ContinentsPTRC Education and Research Services Limited, 1998
Jordan has a serious road accident problem. Speeding, wrong overtaking, and ignoring obligation t... more Jordan has a serious road accident problem. Speeding, wrong overtaking, and ignoring obligation to stop are considered among the main causes of traffic accidents, especially on rural roads. This study investigated the effect of different police enforcement levels on drivers' behavior on two-lane rural roads. The study was conducted in cooperation with the Traffic Department, Public Security Headquarters, Jordan. The effect of police patrol equipped with/without speed gun-radar on speeding was investigated on five intercity and regional rural roads, and their results were contrasted with control sections and the case of no police presence. Free-flow speed measurements, in both directions of travel and at different distances from the police location, were acquired using car-following and speed gun-radar techniques. The wrong overtaking was observed on horizontal and vertical curves controlled by no-passing signs. The number of wrong overtaking, traffic flow, and average operating speed were observed under police enforcement and the case of no police presence with suitable cross-over period. The influences of police enforcement on drivers' behavior at T-intersections controlled by stop-sign were also investigated. The proportion of violators, hazard conflicts, and average speed of major traffic were considered as measures of police effectiveness, and they were compared with the control cases. Results of analyses demonstrated that police enforcement had significantly influenced speeding and percentage of violators in both directions of travel and for individual vehicle classes. Also, the results revealed that the influence was extended to about 1 km in each direction from the police location. Results of wrong overtaking study indicated that police enforcement had a great effect on proportion of violators, average speed, and speed variance. Finally, the results reported that the presence of police at T-intersections controlled by stop-sign had a positive impact on drivers' behavior, specifically on hazard conflicts and proportion of violators.
Road Safety on Four Continents: 13th International ConferenceSwedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI)Ministry of Infrastructure, PolandGlobal Road Safety PartnershipForum of European Road Safety Research InstitutesEuropean Conference of Transport Research InstitutesTransportat..., Oct 1, 2005
In addition to reactive and preventive measures aiming at reducing the likelihood of traffic acci... more In addition to reactive and preventive measures aiming at reducing the likelihood of traffic accident occurrences, improvement of emergency rescue service is an essential factor in the traffic accident casualty survival or degree of recovery. The major objective of this paper is to evaluate the emergency medical service rescue times for road accident casualties in Jordan. To achieve this objective, data on rescue time components were obtained from Civil Defense centers in four governorates; including Mafraq, Irbid, Jerash, and Ajloun. Response, rescue, and ambulance journey times of about 1800 emergency cases were analyzed in this study. These important variables were computed for urban and rural areas. Results of analyses indicated that the average response times for urban and rural areas were 6.7 and 11 min., respectively. These values are approximately equal to the acceptable standard levels in USA. The average rescue times in urban area were found to vary from 16 to 30 min. while in rural areas the corresponding values were 27 to 39 min. Compared with cited literature; the rescue times for rural areas are considered to be very long. Also, it was found that only 72% of emergency calls are really in need for ambulance service. In urban areas, the average busy time was found to be less than 1 hr. In rural areas, the maximum average busy time was 72 min. Finally, the average busy time was found to be approximately twice of the average rescue time for rural and urban areas.
Transportation Research Record, 1995
Transportation Research Record, 1993
International journal of constructive research in civil engineering, 2016
In Jordan, traffic accidents form a major health issue. The problem of traffic accidents is ranke... more In Jordan, traffic accidents form a major health issue. The problem of traffic accidents is ranked as the second leading cause of death. This study evaluated the safety effect of policy measures implemented in 2008. These measures included intensification of police enforcement, application of traffic law with stiff penalty levels, and the increase in fuel prices. To achieve this objective, traffic accidents data of 1998 through 2008 were obtained from Jordan traffic institute and other related sources. In the evaluation, trend analysis was performed to explore possible safety impact of the applied safety policies and the sharp raise in fuel prices. Results of analyses indicated that the intensifications of police enforcement and applications of new traffic law with stiff penalty levels were found to have a significant positive safety effects on accidents and fatalities. The implementations of these policies were resulted in a reduction of 14% and 25% in traffic accidents and fatalities, respectively. On the other hand, investigation made in this study did not confirm the effect of fuel prices on traffic accidents or fatalities in Jordan.
Journal of traffic medicine, 1996
Ite Journal-institute of Transportation Engineers, Jun 1, 1999
A variety of countermeasures have been implemented in Jordan in an effort to reduce the road rela... more A variety of countermeasures have been implemented in Jordan in an effort to reduce the road related pedestrian casualties. Road accident data for 1987 through 1990 were used in the study to investigate the relationship between road casualties and street geometric and operational variables. The specific variables studied include sidewalk width, and the presence of median islands, pedestrian fencing, and the number of intersections. For Jordan, the results show that countermeasures such as widening sidewalk and changing operations from one to two way have the greatest potential for success in commercial and residential areas respectively. (A)
Transportation Research Record, 1997
An empirical model for estimating roundabout entry capacity for conditions in Jordan has been dev... more An empirical model for estimating roundabout entry capacity for conditions in Jordan has been developed. The performance of the model was compared with the performance of capacity models in Europe. Data, collected from different cities in Jordan, consisted of 775 min of at-capacity operation and included both roundabout traffic and geometric variables. The analysis indicated that circulating traffic flow, widths of entry and circulating roadway, central island diameter, and distance between an entry and a near-side exit had a significant influence on entry capacity. Compared with German, Danish, and French roundabout models, the Jordanian capacity model provided comparable estimates, especially with low levels of circulating traffic.
Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, Aug 1, 1997
Because of limited resources and inappropriate maintenance technique, many rural roads in develop... more Because of limited resources and inappropriate maintenance technique, many rural roads in developing countries such as Jordan are characterized by a high level of roughness. Empirical evidence and accident reports revealed that many rural road accidents are associated with severe road defects. This study investigated the effect of pavement condition, road geometry, and roadside conditions on rural road accidents. A comprehensive data base for 1130 km of two-lane primary rural roads in Jordan was developed for this study. Mathematical modelling using regression technique was used to investigate the effects of the included variables on single-vehicle, multiple-vehicle, and total accident rates. Results of the statistical analysis indicated that pavement condition, expressed in terms of the international roughness index or present serviceability rating, had significant effects on single-and multiple-vehicle accident rates, but it had no statistical influence on the total accident rate. Furthermore, the results of this study indicated that the number of sharp horizontal curves and the roadside condition, expressed in terms of the roadside hazard rating, were found to have significant effects on the single-vehicle accident rate. The number of vertical curves and the number of intersections were found to have a significant influence on the multiple-vehicle accidents. Finally, regression models were developed to quantify the effects of the included variables on the previous accident rates.
Saudi journal of civil engineering, Dec 30, 2020
Speeding is one of the main causes of traffic crash fatalities. Different effective strategies ha... more Speeding is one of the main causes of traffic crash fatalities. Different effective strategies have been applied to prevent this critical issue; for example, humps, setting speed limit, and speed cameras. This study evaluates the effectiveness of speed cameras that are implemented on midblock of urban, suburban and on segments of rural arterials in Jordan in January 2018. Interrupted time series analysis (ARIMA model) was used for examining the effects of the speed cameras on the number of crashes. Various functions; including linear, quadratic, logarithmic, exponential, and power, were applied in order to evaluate the effect of speed cameras on traffic crashes. Results of analyses indicated that speed cameras implemented on suburban and urban arterials with speed limit less than 80 km/h had a crash reduction of 10 to 19%. On the contrary, it was found that the number of crashes on a limited number of rural arterials" segments was increased by about 36%, this result should be further investigated since the sample size of rural segments was relatively small.
Road & Transport Research, Sep 1, 1997
This study investigated the influence of block length and land-use developments along major urban... more This study investigated the influence of block length and land-use developments along major urban arterials on traffic accidents and traffic operations. Seven major urban arterials in Irbid City, Jordan, were chosen as a case study. A total of 218 arterial blocks were selected randomly, regardless of their accident history. Data on traffic accidents, traffic operation variables, and land-use developments were collected yearly for the period 1992 to 1995. Poisson regression and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to develop mathematical relationships that would have practical applications for use by city planners and traffic safety engineers. The results indicated that block length, ratio of operating speed to free-flow speed, percentage of commercial frontage, and percentage of space frontage had significant influences on the number of arterial block accidents. Also, the results showed that block length, on-street parking, and percentage of space frontage had significant effects on freeflow speed. Figures for estimating block accidents and free-flow speed were also developed, for use by city planners and traffic engineers in creating a safer urban arterial environment. (a)
Jordan Journal of Civil Engineering, 2023
Modeling traffic-accident frequency is a critical issue to better understand the accident trends ... more Modeling traffic-accident frequency is a critical issue to better understand the accident trends and the effectiveness of current traffic policies and practices in different countries. The main objectives of this study are to model traffic road accidents, fatalities and injuries in Jordan, using different modeling techniques, including regression, artificial neural network (ANN) and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models and to evaluate the safety impact of travel-restriction strategies during Covid-19 pandemic on trafficaccident statistics for the year 2020. To accomplish these objectives, data of traffic accidents, registered vehicles (REGV), population (POP) and economic gross domestic product (GDP) from 1995 through 2020 were obtained from related sources in Jordan. The analysis revealed that accidents, fatalities and injuries have an increasing trend in Jordan. Root mean of square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and coefficient of multiple determination (R 2) were sued to evaluate the performance of the developed prediction models. Based on model performance, the ANN models are the best, followed by the ARIMA models and then the regression models. Finally, it was concluded that the strategies undertaken by the government of Jordan to combat Covid-19, including complete and partial banning of travel, resulted in a considerable reduction of accidents, injuries and fatalities by about 35%, 37% and 50%, respectively.
Jordan Journal of Civil Engineering, 2014
The accuracy of traffic forecasting is a point of considerable importance to the effective alloca... more The accuracy of traffic forecasting is a point of considerable importance to the effective allocation of limited resources. Thus, reasonable and accurate forecasting methods should be developed to help engineers and planners make rational decisions and reduce probable associated risks. This study investigated the performance of three forecasting methods: aggregate regression, disaggregate trend and empirical Bayesian analysis. To accomplish this objective, traffic volumes for major rural roads in 1996 through 2004 were obtained from the Ministry of Public Works and Housing of Jordan. For each city or zone, cross-sectional data on socioeconomic and demographic variables were collected. Multivariate regression analysis was carried out to develop mathematical relationships that could have practical applications. The results indicated that the products of populations-to-roadway length ratio, number of employees, fuel consumption, number of buildings and road type significantly influenced traffic interchange between cities or zones. For Jordan conditions, the linear model was recommended. Trend models, having exponential form, were also developed. Performance analysis indicated that aggregate regression and empirical Bayesian analysis provided comparable results. In contrast, the performance of trend method was considered to be poor. Finally, while these results are related to Jordan, they possibly apply elsewhere as well.
Road & Transport Research, Sep 1, 1996
ABSTRACT Mathematical models were developed to predict the deterioration in airfield pavements in... more ABSTRACT Mathematical models were developed to predict the deterioration in airfield pavements in Jordan at the Royal Jordanian Air Force bases. An integrated database of pavement condition, age, and other characteristics as well as air traffic movements, was also developed. The database covered 300 flexible and rigid pavement sections representing the various airfield elements. Regression models were developed for each airfield element because of the differences in their loading mechanisms. Statistical analyses showed that pavement age and air traffic movements had significant effects on pavement deterioration. The regression models developed for flexible runways and connection taxiways were found to be the most predictable models. Airport elements subjected to a slow-motion loading mechanism were found to deteriorate faster than those exposed to a rapid-motion loading mechanism. The models should enable airfield maintenance engineers to determine suitable maintenance and repair actions under the prevailing conditions in Jordan. The models will need modification if applied in other countries.
ABSTRACT The primary objective of this research was to develop an empirical Bayesian approach to ... more ABSTRACT The primary objective of this research was to develop an empirical Bayesian approach to estimate the expected number of accidents and the accident rate at a group of sites as well as at individual site level. A methodology was also developed to evaluate safety impacts of highway projects. Rural traffic accident data from the state of Indiana were used in the study. The Bayesian models were investigated and they provided a legitimate estimate of the expected number of accidents specifically under steady state traffic volume conditions. Models were also developed to estimate the accident rates. The results of accident rate models indicated a good correspondence between predicted and observed values at the group of sites level. The Bayesian methodology to evaluate the safety impact of highway projects was illustrated through the examples of wedge and level and resurfacing projects.
Road & Transport Research, 1994
Ite Journal-institute of Transportation Engineers, Apr 1, 1992
Road & Transport Research, 1992
US Transportation Collection2021PDFTech ReportXu, HongbinKim, Moo YeonSabillon, ChristianGao, LuP... more US Transportation Collection2021PDFTech ReportXu, HongbinKim, Moo YeonSabillon, ChristianGao, LuProzzi, Jorge A.University of Texas at Austin. Center for Transportation ResearchTexas. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Technology Implementation OfficeUniversity of Texas at Austin. Center for Transportation ResearchUnited StatesData analysisDeteriorationForecastingMaintenance managementPavement management systemsPavement performanceRehabilitation (Maintenance)CalibrationPreventive maintenanceDeterioration modelingFHWA/TX-21/0-6988-20-6988September 2018\u2013January 2021TxDOT\u2019s Pavement Management Information System (PMIS) has been recently replaced by Pavement Analyst (PA), a system for archiving, managing, and mapping data; reporting performance prediction; conducting optimization analysis for decision-making, etc. Pavement performance models comprise a key component of PA; these models quantify pavement deterioration for the planned horizon and predict the effect of maintenance and rehabilitation actions on performance. The accurate prediction of pavement performance is important for efficient management of the transportation infrastructure. By reducing the prediction error of pavement deterioration, agencies can obtain significant savings through timely intervention and accurate planning. As part of this project, the authors reviewed the current performance models, calibrated them, and updated them in a manner compatible with their implementation into PA. Extensive data analysis was conducted by using traditional and advanced data analysis techniques. Specifically, the models developed addressed the following technical objectives: 1) existing models were calibrated, correcting for biases and inefficiencies; 2) models were updated to incorporate historical construction data; 3) models were updated to incorporate the effect of maintenance and rehabilitation activities; and 4) alternative models were proposed that are free of some of the limitations of the existing models but are simple and straightforward enough to incorporate into PA.114
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Papers by Hashem al-Masaeid