Spatial analysis of traffic in Hilla city

Abstract

           The increase in the population of Hillah city and the possibility of many of them owning a car has contributed to the increase in the number of cars day after day, and thus the increase in the rate of trips made by the city’s residents for various purposes that generate trips inside or outside the city, which has had a negative impact on the road and street network, as it has become unable to perform its function at the required level.

The research aims to analyze traffic movement in Hilla city by measuring the density of transportation movement based on criteria such as street lengths, number of vehicles, and population. The research used statistical mathematical methods, field study, and traffic monitoring for vehicles and passengers to understand the current state of traffic movement on the street network in Hilla city during peak morning (7:00-8:00) and evening (2:00-3:00) hours, as well as classifying vehicle types and understanding street patterns. The research assumes that the current state of traffic movement does not match the capacity of the road network due to the high density of vehicle traffic on the network.

The research used the quantitative approach to analyze daily traffic movement during peak morning and evening hours, as well as a field study that included traffic counting and analysis of vehicle traffic classification. The research found that the study area experiences a traffic surge that exceeds the designed capacity, with the morning peak hour traffic volume on 60th Street reaching 9692 vehicles per hour, exceeding the street's design capacity. The evening peak hour traffic volume reached 8596 vehicles per hour. Al-Ghadir Street ranked second in traffic congestion, with a volume of 8027 vehicles per hour. The traffic volume during the evening peak hour reached 6696.5 vehicles per hour. Baghdad Street ranked third, with a traffic volume of 7822 vehicles per hour during the morning peak hour and 7639 vehicles per hour.

During off-peak days, 60th Street again ranked first in traffic congestion, with a morning peak hour volume of 8326.5 vehicles per hour and an evening peak hour volume of 6716.5 vehicles per hour. Baghdad Street ranked second, with a morning peak hour volume of 6790.25 vehicles per hour, as it is a major street that connects

Hilla city to Baghdad and other provinces. The evening peak hour volume reached 6801.5 vehicles per hour.

The research concluded that Hilla city's street network suffers from severe traffic congestion, with most streets operating above their design capacity (V/C>1.0), resulting in all streets being classified as having a service level of LOS F, and thus a collapse of traffic flow. The research recommends reducing private car usage and promoting the development and use of public transportation, as well as developing the street network to accommodate traffic volume, particularly on 60th and 40th Streets.